“The truest wisdom is our own personal wisdom. Others, teachers and companions, are here to guide us home to our own innate deepest wisdom that already dwells within us.
It is this wisdom, this truth of our being, that we are here to awaken and ignite.
This is the camino. This is the way.”
About
How It All Began
Hola! I’m Sai (Simon). I’ve been inspired to co-create Wisdom of the Way (WotW) by the thousands of pilgrims that I’ve met, listened to, served, accompanied and lived with over the years.
About ten years ago I walked my first Camino de Santiago with my Mum, and amongst many of the profound experiences, something very, very deep awoke within me whilst I was walking through the verdant mountains of Galicia.
As I came across an old ruin I had a vision to co-create a healing space. A place for people to stop, rest, reflect, connect, heal and journey deeper into their own experience of life and realise the most out of their camino.
Sometime later, passing through my own fears and personal challenges, learning to surrender and also with the support of some incredible locals, that vision was realised and ‘Terra de Luz’ was born.
And its this vision, that lives on today, that paves the way for WotW…
WotW
Wisdom Of The Way
WotW was born at Terra de Luz (TdL) on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It is inspired by the countless number of pilgrims who’ve been touched by the experience and existence of TdL, and, it is the response to the repeated question: “How can we continue this journey in deeper connection, and keep growing together?”
So how do we do it?
Well, when its not possible in the flesh, with technology! WotW is a platform to share camino wisdom, life lessons, effective and accessible practices and personal story via podcast/vodcast, wisdom insights, blogs, online classes and courses. There is also the possibility of more personalised support through walking retreats, 1-to-1 coaching and immersive experiences at TdL.
In spending time with pilgrims each day for many years we understand that there is a great interest and need for support and wisdom for pilgrims on their way to Santiago AND more so, on their returning home. Now, is this wisdom only relevant to the Camino de Santiago?
NO. It’s wisdom for living life.
What we find is that the Camino de Santiago gives many pilgrims an expansive, deep life experience and the lessons learnt here on the camino are really life lessons. The way that one approaches their camino is really the way that one approaches their life.
The wisdom shared here will help a pilgrim prepare for the more intimate aspects of their journey. It will pose questions to consider what type of experience is one really looking for, it will support them in returning from the camino journey and integrating their experience. YET, it can also support anyone, whether they walk the camino or not.
Anyone who is genuinely interested in growing. Who is interested in looking within, in looking at their life and is willing to take responsibility and the next step to realise the amazing life that is waiting for them.
Camino wisdom is actually life wisdom.
Camino Wisdom
Sign up for our Wisdom Letter. We’ll share every now and then stories and life wisdom from Camino and life alltogether.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Be a collaborator
Well, much like Terra de Luz, WotW is a co-creation. A collaboration of many from around the world, each in their unique flavour. At the end of each post, interview or sharing you can see who has shared it and where you can find or follow them.
How can you collaborate?
Firstly, simply be interested… take time to be with the wisdom shared – chew on it and see what resonates or not, comment on blogs and podcasts/vodcasts, give something to the community forum, share something that is alive in you and that you are learning/learnt, try the practices, and… share this valuable resource with others.
What we know is that wisdom come in all shapes and sizes… and stories! That is part of what really gives juice to this life. And, everybody has them… insights, learnings and wisdom.
So, YES please, if you feel you have insights and wisdom to share, whether it be about walking or returning from the Camino de Santiago, or about living life, then we’d love to hear from you. We’d love you to write a blog entry or share in whatever way you feel inspired! That is our whole hearted invitation to you.
AND, you can also collaborate by making a financial donation to support either of these projects, TdL and WotW. We are very grateful for those who are able to financially support this project which relies 100% on donations.
Click to enlarge the photos
TdL
Terra de Luz
The much loved, ‘Terra de Luz’ (TdL), meaning ‘Land of Light’ in Galician, is situated in the mountains of Galicia, Spain on the Camino de Santiago. TdL is an open home to receive and serve pilgrims from all walks of life... much like the traditional refuges that have cared for pilgrims for millennia.
Attending to all aspects of our wellbeing (the physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual), TdL is a healing space that is the creation of literally hundreds of people putting their love and attention into the seen and unseen. It’s simple, honest, inspiring and loving. And for many who unexpectedly arrive at it’s doors, TdL provides a nurturing and creative environment for pilgrims to rest, connect, reflect and heal.
Some call it a home away from home, some just call it home. Since opening her previously abandoned doors in Spring 2015, TdL has lovingly received, served and accompanied thousands of pilgrims.
Her doors are open to all whenever someone is there (most of the year), it operates only on donations and people are free to contribute however they feel. This approach of freely contributing is the essence of TdL’s service, and is of key importance in our philosophy – you can read why here.
Daily classes for yoga, meditation, mindfulness and reiki, as well as permaculture and spontaneous workshops, are also offered.
TdL is also home to the Labyrinth of Samos. An incredible creation by countless pilgrims from around the world. A quartz labyrinth of approximately 2000 quartz stones replicating the sacred geology of the design from an ancient petroglyph (approx 3000 years old) found only several km’s from the site. This powerful land art is an invitation to connect the old story with the new, and the external journey with the deeper inner discovery.
Part of the philosophy of TdL over the years has been to not engage in social media and heavy internet usage… to promote the power of the present moment, and to support the element of surprise, the unexpected and curiosity of one daring to stop, slow down and perhaps enter a home offering something a little different. And we will continue to do that.
However, life brings change, and here we are… adapting and stretching into quite a new world. And we are now very happy that there is also a virtual Terra de Luz… Wisdom of the Way!
If you would like to know more about TdL, support the project, come volunteer or be involved in whatever capacity, please contact us here. We’d love to receive you!
Simon
Sai’s story
I grew up on a farm in the ‘bush’ in Australia where I was at home with big horizons, wandering curiously, sleeping under the stars and spending a lot of time with my own company. I also had a previous city life… schooling, university, and working as a chartered accountant and business consultant.
A 4 month, 2500km kayaking journey alone eventually lead me living and working in First Nation communities in Australia’s Great Sandy Desert for a few years… what an office! And what a school!
On a search for my own family roots and in an ambitious undertaking to connect my grandfather’s county with my father’s country I dreamed and attempted to ride a diesel motorbike on vegetable oil from Ireland to Australia. Guess what… it didn’t turn out like I planned!
But I had an incredible eye opening, mind opening and heart opening journey on 2 wheels (and many times 2 feet) for 2 years, 80,000km’s through 40+ countries… and endless lessons in trust, openness and letting go… oh what a school!
And my curiosity grew even deeper... To construct the vegetable oil diesel motorbike I went to India, and in the process of somethings falling apart (not only the motorbike!), somethings were lost and somethings were opened… its a story for a campfire another day!
However, what it did eventually lead me too was a path of yoga and meditation, of contemplation and exploring our essence of being. I have subsequently returned to India 8+ times, specifically an area in the lower Himalayas, for prolonged periods and intensive studies.
In all of this, what I observe is that these big outer journeys were really vehicles for even bigger inner journeys. An opportunity to meet myself in deeper and extra-ordinary circumstances and simply see what happens. One thing that is very clear for me is that life is my greatest school and no matter where I am, every day brings me teachers and invitations to learn, without fail!
Aside from finding me here or in TdL or taking a ‘walkabout’, I offer personal guidance (coaching), a 10 day transformative ‘immersive experience’ and intimate walking retreats along the Camino de Santiago a few times a year. Don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d love for you to join me!