If you can overlook religion you can look at cathedrals as works of art symbolizing the noblest thoughts and feelings of mankind.
Here, hopefully, you are lifted from your ordinary state of mind into something more sublime, reflective.
Set dogma aside, know nothing of religion, and enter one of these works of art in wonder.
Find testimony to the beauty and power of the human spirit and your own spirit will be moved.
You pass through this simple door to receive the credentials for completing your pilgrimage. I was moved, almost crying to be here.
I linger in the cathedral afterwards.
The Cathedral
There is a lot to feel and think about.
A minister is giving a sermon. He is small and old, his sermon worn and monotonous, his coughing interrupts his frail voice. How wrong in such a place. Man, there should be a rippin drum circle instead. Or George Cluny and Angelina Jolie shooting lightning bolts. Or Mick Jaggger swinging upside down from the ceiling and rockin “Satisfaction,” the pipe organ shaking the stones, and 100 nuns interjecting “hallelujah.” You get the idea. Alas, I may never see anything so appropriate, so I use my imagination.
Shawn, I appreciated your perspective on this. Although some would not need to set aside their religion to see what you saw and feel what you felt, I liked the idea, too, of having no idea of religion and suddenly finding yourself in such a place, feeling the wonder and admiring the symbolism. Picture of you is wonderful. You look very healthy and happy. Only request…how about a video of you in one of these emotionally touching moments? It would be, sorry to use a pun, a nice touch. Enjoying your unfolding journey, amigo.
Got your response, but it didn’t post here. Sounds good- video or no video, it’s fun to watch your journey. Besides, I think I was, once again, talking to myself about my own show, which I feel is close! In any case, glad you’re having magic moments inside and outside of cathedrals. Have a great weekend!
Hey Shawn!
Congrats on finishing your spanish pilgrimage! It reads like a crazy adventure full of experiences you wouldn’t trade anything for. Rightly so! Even when the mountains get tall, the views get better. It may not be easy but you knew that ahead of time right?
It was great to read a couple posts back that you actually ran into some people that had heard about your ’round the world ride! That must have been unexpected. I hope that happens a lot more!
Where are you off to next? Christmas is coming up, do you have a place to stay yet?
Call me sometime soon!
Take care!
- John Goodbrad
Eric,
What I wanted to say was that if I set aside my ideas about why a cathedral was built and the meanings of the art work inside it is easy to interpret it all as a monument to the noblest thoughts and feelings of mankind.
Hey John,
Good to hear from you, hope the Epic is working. No plans for Christmas yet.
The trip is usually pretty easy. It’s you guys working that have it rough!
cheers,
Shawn
Wow, What Overwhelming Feelings that must come up at different moments along your way. I know you mention them, now and than. They must be huge feelings that pass through you. For some people, they never left their village all of their lives. It’s one thing to travel by car, plane, or by boat to get to your destination or even bus or horse. These are so Vastly different than your own body power, day after day, My My My !!! To Your sweet rewards and deep rest.
Again ~” Congratulations ”
Pedal On ~ Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
Some days are vast spaces of inner quiet. I only get small tinges of frustration or impatience these days. I do love it when a “wow” feeling washes through me. It happens so much more often traveling.
The body power thing is humbling. Everyone else rushes pass with so much power and speed, and I inch along. Oh, I get into righteousness occasionally about ecology or something, but that passes. Taking a car makes so much sense for most people, it’s hard to argue with! Riding a bike is not an economy, but a luxury of time. I feel inwardly rich.