Returning From Camino

by Alexander J. Shaia

[This title is the Second Edition published 29 June 2019.] "My only regret when I made the film 'Walking the Six Ways to Santiago' was that I hadn't found a way to address what happens when the pilgrims finish walking. Thank goodness Alexander is addressing this very needed and vitally important topic. I am sure this book will bring much peace, comfort, and reassurance to many a pilgrim upon returning home. I wish it had existed when I walked my first Camino!" -Lydia B. Smith, Producer/Director of Walking the Camino, www.caminodocumentary.org This is the original Guidebook for pilgrims returning home from the Camino or any pilgrimage. We usually spend weeks deciding on footwear, clothes, gear, blister prevention, travel details, and maps. Preparing oneself to return home is just as crucial. The return is not 'post-Camino' or pilgrimage. Like a sign in Spain, "Our steps end. The Way goes on." Table of ContentsI. Gifts and ChallengesII. Before You LeaveIII. As You Walk IV. Arriving at The Cathedral - ShrineV. Once Walking Has EndedVI. Traveling Toward Home VII. HomecomingVIII. Living Your Own StoryIX. Aiding Integration X. Fire, Gathering, Service XI. A Classic Rite of Passage ResourcesThe front cover is the work of Marc Heffner, artist and pilgrim. For more see his website, www.caminoestrella.com Alexander leads an intimate band of pilgrims each year on a 55 day Camino as an intentional rite of passage. He is an author, speaker, and ritualist with a background in cultural anthropology, Jungian psychology, and Christian/mystical spirituality. The book is dedicated to all returning from pilgrimage and to Joseph Campbell, the great mythologist, who taught Alexander in college and who significantly influenced his life and work.

169 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2018

About the author

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Alexander Shaia grew up as part of a large, extended family that had emigrated from Lebanon a generation previously. He grew up with the traditions of an ancient religion—Maronite Catholicism—and was expected to become a priest, a family tradition since the year 1300. Alexander chose otherwise. He attended the University of Notre Dame and received a degree in cultural anthropology. Next came a Master's Degree in Counseling Education, a Master's Degree in Religious Education, a graduate certificate in Pastoral Psychotherapy, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Then Alexander traveled to Switzerland where he studied with the originator of Sandplay, Jungian Analyst Dora Kalff, and spent additional time at the Jung Institute. Returning to the United States, many years of teaching, and study continued to build on a lifelong practice of prayer. Dr. Shaia now devotes himself fulltime to writing, speaking, and leading retreats on the transformative power of quadratos and the spiritual journey found within the four gospels.

Reviews

[Virginia Pulver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read about the Camino back in about 1973 when the USAF moved my spouse and our daughter to sunny Spain and changed outr our lives for the better. I read James Michener's book "Iberia" and fell in love with Spain. A visit to the cathedral at Santiago became an unexpected life-changing event. It wasn't until many years and adventures later, but I eventually made it to walk the Camino across Spain's heartland...a life changing experience. I read Shaia's book long after my Camino experience, but it resonates with me. I encourage those who are considering this rite of passage to read this book as part of their preparations. It is a spiritual journey...too many focus only on the physical logistics...this book will make one think and begin to plan their journey. - Ginn

[Nevena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over a decade ago I completed a different pilgrimage than the Camino (the AT), and wished I had this book back then. The re-entry to life was deeply difficult for me (and still is in some ways). The wisdom of intentionality that Shaia suggests in this book would have, undoubtedly, given me the ability to see beyond the immediate distress of the return home.

Having experienced such a hard transition then, I knew I needed guidance during another upcoming re-entry (again, not the Camino but I am now intrigued). This book is specific in ways, but Shaia’s frequent references to Joseph Campbell’s Heroine Journey enables a broader application as well.

Thank you for creating this much-needed work.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ½ stars, because it’s half good.
Genuinely good, helpful nuggets of wisdom and advice scattered through a book that seems to take Buddhism more seriously than Christianity in discussing a CHRISTIAN pilgrimage. It would also be helpful for the book to be less Santiago-specific and more generally aimed at Pilgrimage writ-large. It’s also highly repetitive, but the death knell comes at the end when the writer builds the final chapter up to a plug for one of his own books. Not ok.

[Mary Ramirez]

Great help for processing the experience

I read this book midway through my camino but I wish I had read it before leaving. It is a guide to after camino care and how to integrate the camino blessings into everyday life.

[Javier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great set of questions and reflections to prepare for, and more importantly, debrief and integrate the lessons of Camino on the return home.

[Jill Mersereau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and the comparison between the pilgrim’s journey and the pilgrim’s journey. I just wish it had been longer!

[Kat]

The perfect book one needs before, during, and after the Camino! Will definitely read the Kindle edition on my iPad during my walk in June.

[Kathy Stottlemyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the picture on the cover. But I really didn't get much out of .the book. The information wasn't helpful but probably like the Camino itself, the reentry home is very personal.