Orange for weight loss?
A beautiful day climbing Montserrat — pilgrimage as metaphor, the path now easier than ever.
I have had a beautiful day in Montserrat, Spain.
For me, the name of this place means “sacred mountain”, but according to Wikipedia, “montserrat” literally means “jagged (serrated) mountain” in Catalan. Google Translate says “serrat” means “sawing” in Spanish. Regardless of the literal meaning, for many it will bring to mind a church on top of an extraordinary rock formation of strikingly pink conglomerate (a form of sedimentary rock) that is visible from a great distance and has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
The rock is really beautiful and you see it everywhere here – most obviously in the front of the church, but also in the rock floors and pavings and it is even referenced in the stain glass of our hotel (see my pictures).
As I said yesterday, the place is comprised of less than a dozen buildings all related, directly or indirectly, to the church. We are staying at the only hotel in town – which used to be a monastery – and it is very comfortable. This morning the breakfast was superb, though I now know that I never want my own expresso machine (because it makes coffee even more addictive).
There are ample opportunities for walking and mountain climbing here, but be prepared for transformation. When is a path, just a path or a path?
As I was out walking today, I was thinking about all the people who have come here before me, including, of course, Saint Ignatius of Loyola. What was their purpose in making this pilgrimage and did it change as they climbed the mount?
In times past, one walked by foot or marched or rode donkey some of the way. Today, if we want it, there is a train to bring us to the church and a finicular to ferry us quite close to the top of the mount. There is mostly paved pathways and stairs and good signage, but to get to the very top of the mountain you have to climb and its not easy, especially if you get vertigo (which I do… X10 on 4 expresso).
With the help of Robert Gass’ album “Pilgrimage”, I climbed to the top of the mount and got a small taste of how difficult it must have been for the pilgrims, especially those with disabilities (like Saint Ignatius). Of necessity, I had to focus on every step, trust in path and just keep climbing. Thinking about those who have come before helped, as did dedicating the effort. I found my mind bouncing from thoughts of personal safety to the highest praise. And where my mind finally landed was that the mont is a worthy metaphor for incontrovertible certainty about the progress of humanity. Why?
The path is now easier than it has ever been – clearer, safer, more certain. Those who have come before us have cleared the way – not just in the mundane physical sense, but also through their prayers and elevated consciousness. As one scales this mountain, and thinks about the most appropriate thing to pray for in front of the black madonna, one must naturally resolve to ask for the enlightenment and liberation of the entire human family and gratitude for the grace that permits this experience. So, this is my prayer for all of us and today I will light a candle with this intention. As more of us have this intention, so will the path be easier for those that come after us.
And now you must be wondering about the relationship between orange and weight-loss… try wearing an orange polo shirt in front of an orange wall and focusing on your higher self – you will practically dematerialise in this place.
Namaste
You might also like:
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
iluminar.blog 