Pilgrimage

A vast majority of human beings have a spiritual life. Along with this spiritual life arises a spiritual hunger within that being. Individuals who really try to find the meaning of their lives and try to relate their physical life with the spiritual one, often engage in various activities to satisfy their hunger. Pilgrimage is one of them. This pilgrimage may take a lot of forms in varying time and location. It is a part of all the major religions in the world, which serves as a test of the human soul. It puts the human mind and body to the extremes, while bringing them closer to the creator Himself and teaching them to be compassionate towards other beings (Inside Mecca).

Whether it is around the black stone in Mecca or to the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or even a simple hike to a mountain, all pilgrimages share a few key commonalities. They embody some key features of human life that can only be seen in humans, culture and religion. Most pilgrimages require people to go to faraway places. Long duration is a defining, as well as one of the most important aspect of any pilgrimage. It is during this period of time that the individual starts to sense the true meaning of this prolonged, and often, tedious journey.

Pilgrimages tend to have vague, individualistic goals, rather than specific goals. While incomplete pilgrimages might have an impact on the pilgrims, pilgrimages should be completed to have a sense of completion and allowing an individual to remain stern and true to the assigned goals. Pilgrimages can transform how a person views life. Pilgrimages like the Hajj can encourage togetherness among the people of various nations (Inside Mecca). Pilgrims might end up having a better sense of compassion, charity, and empathy. Pilgrimages like The Way can show us the hardships of life (The Way).

Pilgrimages highlight the impact of spirituality on human beings, as well as the positive aspects of spirituality. Pilgrimage is a tool that all spiritual as well secular people can use for their betterment. Pilgrimages are an opportunity for people to view life from different viewpoints. It often serves as a test of endurance of the highest level. The kind of test that, if one is simply devoted to his/her intended goal, that person is sure to have a life-changing experience.

Works Cited:

NationalGeographic. "Inside Mecca." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

Overlander. "Camino De Santiago Documentary Film - The Way." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.