Eleventh International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Previous psychological studies have highlighted the transformation process many pilgrims live while walking the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James). Often that process is described as a movement from brokenness to integration. They point to a healing experience linked to pilgrimage and taking place at physical, psychological, social and spiritual levels. Several psychological dynamics have been proposed to describe this positive effect: meaning-making, desire for connection, raising awareness, returning home and participating in ritual. A recent empirical study on pilgrims carried out in 2019 offers the opportunity to better assess these beneficial effects. In-depth interviews (n=50) were conducted on a setting at the end of the long pilgrimage, close to Santiago. The general framework inspiring the survey was the pursuit of happiness, as the main goal for every person, including those who undertake the pilgrimage. The findings suggest that pilgrims on the Camino, following the path of virtue, seek to restore inner harmony (between higher and lower nature, between the mind and will and the emotions, and between the soul and the body). Alan Morinis pointed out that while the physical journey brings the pilgrim closer to Santiago, the spiritual journey brings her closer to a desired ideal. The current research allows for a better description on happiness models and their effects in a living context, and suggests how pilgrimage might become a standard therapeutical practice assisting many people in times of distress, or a coping strategy.