Really on the road together
Report of four days of group play
From 22 to 25 July, ‘From here to Glunder’ organised a guided pilgrimage along the Walk of Wisdom. “With twelve beautiful people we walked the first part of the route. Four days, about 75 kilometers, but above all a journey of peace, nature and deep connection. Under the guidance of trainer Linda, we were able to experience what it means to really be on the road together.”
Valkhofpark – a special start
“Master of ceremonies Lydia welcomed us on behalf of the Walk of Wisdom to the Mariken statue, symbol of the age-old story of guilt, temptation and redemption. Here we felt how the Walk of Wisdom also invites us to look at our own path in life with mildness and to make room for a new beginning. In silence, Lydia accompanied us on the first meters of our pilgrimage to the Valkhof Park for the departure ceremony. Surrounded by the ancient trees, we each symbolically received the fire of a previous pilgrim. When lighting our own fire, we expressed our intention for this special trip. Together with guitar music and vocals from Mark, and singing Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” together, we immediately felt the power of being on the road together. Waved goodbye and sung to by Mark and Lydia, we set off to the sounds of the pilgrim’s song.
Go pilgrim, go
Every step you take
Is a dream and an act
So go Pilgrim, go”
Our Path to Wisdom
“The tour started in the vast Ooijpolder, where we saw storks and even got lost for a while in the Bison Bay – an exercise in letting go that fitted in seamlessly with the first reflection questions and silent walk. It touched many to imagine what they wanted to leave behind and to symbolically wash it away in the river. At the cemetery in Beek, we ended the day with a meditation of breath, gratitude and smile, after which an unexpected climb and a cozy dinner brought us closer together. The second day took us via the Duivelsberg and the Filosofenweg to Germany. Along the way, Linda guided us with exercises that were playful and deepening at the same time: the ‘helium stick’ (it floated, really!), walking blind and a nice walking meditation. It was special to notice how the twelve individual pilgrims who left yesterday from Nijmegen arrived at our German overnight stay today as a nice, warm and loving group. On day three we walked through the quiet Reichswald. An impressive place to feel very small and insignificant for a while. After lunch at De Diepen, there was time to relax, swim or just do nothing, culminating in a warm foot bath that moved many.”
“The final day began with an emotional closing ceremony, in which we shared words of gratitude and insight and rained a special From Here to Glunder bead to our pilgrim belt. Then we walked through the Mookerheide and Heumensoord. The rain accompanied us, but nothing could spoil our best spirits: we were on the road, we were together, we enjoyed the silence and the breathtaking nature around us. At Boscafé De Zweef we were allowed to string our last bird ring on the pilgrim’s band and enjoyed the well-deserved last lunch. During these days we grew together as a group. There were moments of silence and of singing, of laughter and tears, of getting lost and finding again. Wow… So much interconnectedness, so many in-depth conversations along the way and so much gratitude for this unforgettable adventure together! And that adventure continues: in August next year we will walk part 2 of the Walk of Wisdom.”
If you would like more information about this guided tour, please check out www.vanhiertotglunder.nl/wisdom
