What Is Pilgrimage?

In my experience, any journey that transforms awareness can legitimately be called a pilgrimage.
This definition could even include self-inquiry if it changes inner insights.

There seems to be a predominant perception that pilgrimages are sacred and must be long, challenging and arduous or incredibly painful. However it occurs, a successful pilgrimage results when one moves toward greater and deeper awareness of a mysterious Source. This awareness creates unity within and without. Pilgrimage can include both an outer and an inner experience that opens the door of opportunity for personal change.

A significant pilgrimage experience seems to be the eighteen inch journey from head to heart. In other words, we are capable of transforming taught beliefs through innate knowing in order to conclude what is true. I am suggesting that we operate more wholly by engaging the innate divine intelligence that exists within every aspect of creation. It seems clear that keeping an open and fresh perspective allows us to harvest the wealth of awareness in which we exist. With this understanding I would like to encourage a perceptual change around the arduous idea.

While pilgrimage is indisputably a sacred and meaningful experience, it need not be long, hard or painful. Transformation can occur through joyfully experiencing the simple cosmic kiss of a wondrous sunset as much as from the tragedy of a cosmic 2 X 4. In other words, how we experience our journeys is a choice determined by each individual. In this era of planetary shifting, it seems imperative that each of us make a clear personal choice to suspend long held beliefs and to reach out in exploration of our neighbors. In doing so we begin to understand that we are all connected. Everything in our world literally reflects aspects of our very selves. With this awareness, we are challenged to attain a way of being in which we cannot separate living from loving.

Our task in being human is to integrate divineness and humanness to achieve a balance of living. As one integrates the many aspects of the human experience, it is easier to stop judging others and to accept that each form is a reflection of self. The integration includes balancing masculine power and feminine feeling within. In this way we can return to wholeness and flow in the many experiences necessary to attain homeostasis- natural corrective events. Thus we transform and transcend our small mindedness in order to claim divinity through totally embracing humanness.

For me, after experiencing a rather important transformation that reversed a long held prejudice, I understand living and loving as simultaneous. Pilgrimage can, but does not necessitate, traveling to distant geographic locations. Personal pilgrimage also happens through inward “travel” and the natural emergence of a loving and essential Self. Any effort toward this end allows a potential opening for change of consciousness and personal transformation. Allowing and inviting a change of consciousness makes one available to experience “holy shifts”.

A proposed new definition of pilgrimage: The intentional decision to experience what is different from one’s prior and current exposure; a return to the Sacred Self; connectedness to Source; Spiritual intimacy; willingness to engage in deep self-inquiry for personal revelation and to be changed by subsequent revelations via innate wisdom. Ultimately it may be said that pilgrimage is a divine revelation through personal experience that occurs between an individual and God. It is noteworthy that transformation often occurs through many unintentional ways.

Sample Schedule for the Heart to Heart Progressive Hometown Pilgrimage

2008 Heart to Heart Hometown Pilgrimage Schedule
Due to popular request this year includes pre pilgrimage education sessions to give participants the opportunity to meet clergy or other pertinent leadership. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about the traditions and to learn about specific customs in order to enhance the individual and collective experiences.

NEW THOUGHT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 9:00 a.m.
Rev. David S. Leonard
The Center for Conscious Living
308 Lily Flagg Road, Huntsville, AL
256-883-8596 http://conscious-living.org/
Emissary: Gloria Agrelius
Pre-education Session — January 31

BAHA’I FAITH
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 3:00 p.m.
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Huntsville
Multicultural Center Upstairs Sanctuary
604 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL
Emissary: Carolyn Wolfe
Pre-education Session — February 7

AFRICAN AMERICAN PROTESTANT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 11:00 a.m.
Min. Leroy R. Cole, Pastor
Hopewell M.B. Church
292 Cemetery Road, New Market AL
256-379-3250 http://www.hopewellmbc.org/
Emissaries:Deacon Roosevelt Pitts & Frances Dillard

Pre-education Session — February 14

AFRICAN AMERICAN ISLAM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1:00 p.m.
Imam Tariq Madyun
Masjid Tauhid Mosque
2518 Winchester Road N.E., Huntsville, AL
256-852-7655 http://www.masjidtauhidhuntsville.org/
Emissary: Linda El-amin

Pre-education Session — February 21

JUDAISM
FRIDAY, February 29, 8:00 p.m.
Rabbi Jeffrey L. Ballon
Temple B’nai Sholom
103 Lincoln St. S.E., Huntsville, AL
256-536-4771 http://www.knology.net/~tbsholom/
Emissaries:Pam Rhodes & Margaret Anne Goldsmith

Pre-education Session — February 28

HINDUISM
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 11:00 a.m.
Officiate: Hindu Priest
Hindu Cultural Center of North Alabama
14854 Smith Drive, Harvest, AL
256-771-7730 http://www.hccna.com
Emissaries:Puspa Sahu & Dr. Laj Utreja

Pre-education Session — March 6

CHRISTIAN EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, time “TBD”
Officiates:Rev. Dale Clem, Pastor, Monte Sano
United Methodist Church, 256-534-0153,
http://www.msumc.net/main/main.html
Rev. Bob Mayberry, Pastor, Monte Sano
Baptist Church, 256 534-0153
Monte Sano State Park Amphitheatre
Pre-education Session — March 13

NATIVE AMERICAN
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2:00 p.m.
Contacts: Soos Weber, 256-427-5116 or susan.weber@hsvcity.com
Gene Thomas
A Native American Spirituality Ceremony will be held as part of the Earth Day Celebration at:
Hays Nature Preserve — left off Hwy. #431 South just after mile marker #324 (south of Hampton Cove)
http://www.huntsvillepreserves.com/
Pre-education Session — April 17

All pre education sessions will be conducted at the Calhoun Community College Campus-Research Park in Room 30 of the Student Center from 6:30-8:00 pm.