Camino de Santiago – a pilgrimage increasingly spiritual, but not necessarily religious
Rachael Sanborn, an American with an adventurous spirit, found in the Camino de Santiago a way to reconnect with herself and transform her life. After going through a difficult period, she decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, who had made the pilgrimage years earlier, and embarked on this spiritual journey in Spain. This experience not only helped her overcome personal struggles but also led her to return repeatedly to the Camino. Today, at 45, Sanborn is an experienced guide who organizes meditative and grief-focused walks on the Camino de Santiago through her company, Red Monkey Walking Travel. Although she was raised with influences from Tibetan Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism, she believes the Camino offers something special for people of all faiths.
Traditionally a Catholic route culminating in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the apostle Santiago is believed to be buried, the Camino de Santiago has increasingly attracted people of different religions and even those who identify as “spiritual but not religious”. In 2023, approximately half a million people walked the Camino, and according to statistics from the Oficina del Peregrino, about 40% did so for purely religious reasons. However, many others are drawn by secular motivations, such as seeking well-being, overcoming grief, or simply exploring cultural and historical curiosity.
This blend of secular and religious motivations reflects a growing trend toward what is called “secular spirituality,” where traditionally religious practices, such as meditation and spiritual retreats, are reinterpreted in non-religious contexts. For many, the Camino de Santiago is an opportunity for self-discovery, where the discipline typical of religious practice intersects with physical and emotional resilience. It offers both spiritual teachings and practical life lessons, such as the importance of “lightening the load” – both physically, by carrying fewer belongings, and emotionally.
However, experts like Liz Bucar, an author and researcher in religious ethics, argue that pilgrimage has greater value when one fully engages with its religious context. She cautions that the pursuit of quick transformative experiences without a deep understanding of the religious tradition may diminish the pilgrimage’s impact. Bucar believes the true spiritual value of the Camino is intrinsically tied to its history and Christianity, which has shaped the route over the centuries.
Still, Sanborn contends that the Camino has something to offer all pilgrims, regardless of their beliefs or motivations. For her, while Christianity is fundamental to the Camino, it is equally important to recognize both its inspirational aspects and the darker moments of the religious history surrounding it. She believes the Camino provides a unique experience that challenges expectations and fosters a profound connection with something greater, whether spiritual or not.
The Camino de Santiago remains a powerful and transformative route that bridges the spiritual and the secular, attracting people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Whether for religious, spiritual, or purely personal reasons, this pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity for individuals to rediscover themselves and find their own path, both physically and emotionally.
Source: Associated Press
