A note on meeting your mind on Camino and getting your feet Camino ready.

I was once told in a session with a psychic (my only one ever) that I’m a “floater” and that I should walk with intention, consciously grounding myself with each foot step, bringing myself firmly into this reality. 

Yes, I’m good at dreaming, with a tendency to float away. And so I love going on Camino, as it is there that I feel the most floaty of all – open-hearted and a euphoric blur-edged blend of human being, sky, trees and knobbly path. A little distance in and I begin to feel merged with my marching friends. (Now maybe I’m beginning to echo just how most pilgrims exhibit on this soulful journey.)

Contrary to this dreamlike quality of being on the Camino is the solid reality of the fatigued, adjusting body, feet woes and the interrupting chatter of the mind navigating its own labyrinth. 

How I love all of this: The frolic of the imagination, the path underfoot and meeting the mind. For this is the dance of life. And the ultimate aim is consciousness. If I am conscious, I am in the driver’s seat leading my mind (rather than being subconsciously led), I am grounding myself, (“I am here, I am here”) and as I feel the depth and clarity and truth of the present moment in the stretch of silence, the insights land like downloads, decision-making flows, I future pace my life and create with intention. This is the power of presence on the path and in everyday life.

Here are my latest tips for putting some love into your feet and getting them Camino ready.

• Walk barefoot as much as you can. I realised that this is what I do a lot. I also run barefoot on the beach. This toughens feet so they’re a bit “friction proof” when you put them into shoes for long distance walking and reduces the chance of blisters. (My theory)
• Grounding (walking barefoot in nature) is proven to neutralise free radicals in the body, improves sleep, immunity, pain and stress. “Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/
• On my group trip last year I wore stocking socks for the first time and couldn’t believe how soft and comfortable my feet felt. (No rubbing and less need for creams.)
• Spend some time paying attention to your feet. Send them gratitude for carrying you across the Earth. Talk to them with love!
• A little meditation: Sit with both feet flat on the ground and imagine roots growing from them into the Earth like a tree. Notice how strong, connected and grounded you feel. Send the roots all the way to the Earth’s core of red magma. The Earth’s Energy Field is scientific fact, and where you place your focus, energy goes. Now imagine drawing up some of that healing energy into your feet.
• Give yourself a regular foot massage with lashings of cream or oil and sweet messages of love. 

When I Tap with pilgrims on my group Caminos, I give them specific affirmations tailored for them to strengthen and hardwire changes we’ve made in a session. Walking and saying their healing affirmations keeps them on track and is an act of self love.

Here are some feet-specific affirmations you can try. You are tuning into the power of belief and intention. Remember, the mind leads the body.

I HAVE SUCH STRONG, AMAZING FEET

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR MY FEET

AS I WALK MY FEET STRENGTHEN

I AM GLIDING ACROSS THE EARTH

AS I WALK I AM HEALING

I AM STRONG AND HEALTHY

I AM VITAL

I AM FULL OF ENERGY

MY FEET ARE LEADING ME ON TOWARDS MY BEST SELF 

AS I STEP EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

I AM A POWERFUL CREATOR OF MY LIFE

AS I MOVE MY LIFE FLOWS NATURALLY

WITH EACH STEP I AM ENOUGH

Buen Camino, friends!

Darene

Pilgrim & eutaptics Tapping practitioner/ coach

http://www.dareneputtergill.com