An Imagination Pilgrimage for the Soul: Reflecting on the Landscapes of our Lives

“A pilgrimage provides a sense of purpose… ….calms the restlessness within …makes the days worshipful … and knits one’s life into the landscape.” ― Guy Stagg

Although some pilgrims have wandered continuously with no fixed destination, pilgrims more commonly seek a place that deepens their connection with the divine. Over the years people have found spiritual connection by lakes, at vistas, on mountains, and in sacred gardens. During this time when travel has become challenging for many people, this retreat series provides people with an opportunity to take an IMAGINARY pilgrimage across Canada, in the company of others, to reflect upon ways that the natural landscapes we encounter might ruminate with our lives and connect us spiritually.

In this series, you will you will be invited to reflect upon the following themes:

• Week 1: What guides along the way might you invite to accompany you on this imaginary pilgrimage of the soul? Might it be a deity, a saint, the moon, the sky, a winged one, a four legged one, or the company of a loved one?
• Week 2: What might the lakes, rivers & oceans reveal about your life as we imagine travelling through Eastern Canada?
• Week 3: As we reach the prairies, what might the wide open view invite you to reflect upon?
• Week 4: What might the rocks, cliffs and peaks of the mountains in Alberta inspire you to ponder?
• Week 5: As we reach British Columbia how might the tucked away lush, sacred gardens help you contemplate peace?

Each segment of this imaginary journey will begin with a time of reflecting and sharing on the theme of the day inspired by video footage of the landscape, followed by individual time for meandering outdoors, journaling and/or creative expression as we invite the landscape to speak to us about life. We will conclude with an invitation for sharing, and offer a poem, image, song, prayer or blessing to send us off with, until we meet again for the next great adventure the following week. Come; connect with a small group of spiritual seekers to enter this imaginary mode of traveling as we journey together on this pilgrimage of the soul.