The Winding Path

February 2010: What’s in a Symbol?

Posted on Feb 15, 2010

My musings upon the peregrinatio nature of counselling and life itself as a journey has coincided with my choice of icon, image, or symbol: the daisy.

Even though it was chosen more upon personal appeal than careful thought, it so happens that this image is quite appropriate for my perception of the counselling experience as intertwined with the path or journey metaphor.

Again, I am reliant upon the words of Esther de Waal, from her book The Celtic Way of Prayer (1997), adding the concept of ‘home’ to the understanding of the journey of the peregrini (or pilgrim):

For to be earthed and grounded in the reality of being at home in one’s own self and in the world around touches on something that is essential, necessary, if my journey is to have a form and shape. The apparent freedom and abandonment of the early Celtic world could give a misleading impression if it were ever to be mistaken for restless wandering. (p. 8 )

Being at home with oneself—and in the world. Easier said than done—making it part of that journey of discovery—the journey with ups and downs, twists and turns. How does one survive the chaos? The following quote provides a clue.

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. –author unknown

This thread of order-within-confusion can be picked up again in the concept of peregrinatio. In contrasting the way of the peregrini with aimless wandering, de Waal notes that “the openness of the peregrinatio should never tempt me to forget that without the still center, the journey, whether inner or outer, is impossible.” (p. 9)

This reminds me of the symbolism of the daisy as it provides an image of a centre point from which we can venture forth and circle back over and over again. Being at home with ourselves, finding peace amidst the inner (and outer) chaos, grounding ourselves in our centre point—this is crucial to a successful life journey.

At times in my own inner journey, it feels as if I am working my way up the stem as I search for that centre point: that place of safety and sureness from which I can venture forth and to which I can return. I, too, am on a journey of becoming at home with myself and within the world.

Where are you upon your own inner peregrinatio? Have you found your centre? Are you traveling up the stem? Maybe you are exploring outwards and are about to circle back, excited to share your stories of the journey.

January 2010: What’s in a Name?

Posted on Jan 15, 2010

At the risk of being bland or uninspired, my counselling practice does not yet have a moniker.

I have given much thought over what to call this counselling practice and have been left dissatisfied with any of the outcomes. I am very much drawn to the journey and pathway metaphor for life itself and the counselling experience especially.

In life, as in counselling, detours—sometimes seemingly meaningless—are briefly encountered only to return to the well-used ruts of the principle path. Other times, side trails lead off into whole new directions well worth the time and effort of exploration—in contrast to the monotonous humdrum of the main, well-worn, everyday path. And then there are the dark stretches of dreary travel—at times overwhelming or downright terrifying.

Life—and certainly any journey—is an adventure of ups and downs, twists and turns—including times when a guide, or at the very least a companion, would surely be appreciated. In that sense, Pathways Counselling Adventures: Guided Tours seems a fitting way to package the counselling experience. And yet, it is not quite the essence I am trying to encapsulate in a name.

Still, I am drawn to the journey metaphor like a moth to the flame. My latest dalliance with this concept has introduced me to a new word: peregrinatio. It is an ancient Celtic word somewhat akin to pilgrimage, yet is heavy with deeper meaning. Author Esther de Waal in her book The Celtic Way of Prayer (1997) explains it thus:

There is no specific end or goal such as that of reaching a shrine or a holy place that allows the pilgrim at the end of the journey to return home with a sense of a mission accomplished. Peregrinatio is not undertaken at the suggestion of some monastic abbot or superior but because of an inner prompting in those who set out, a passionate conviction that they must undertake what was essentially an inner journey. (p. 2)

Peregrinatio: an inner journey. So much of life, and counselling, occurs where eye cannot see and ear cannot hear—only the heart and mind. It is a journey we are somehow compelled to make; yet it is not about the destination, but what is encountered en route. A journey of discovery.

And so this journey continues: that inner journey to wholeness and wellness; that intellectual journey to find a good name that captures the essence of the counselling experience; the journey of life itself full of joys and sorrows, adventure and monotony.

What has your journey been like? Any adventures you’d like to share?