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Nire Buruari Gutun Bat (900 Kilometro Ibili ondoren)

Lehen urratsa uste osoz emateak ia bermatzen du helmugara iritsiko dela, erdiko zatian irautea zintzotasun osoz.

Ibilaldi osoko egunik luzeenaren ostean --38 kilometro-- nire oinek azkenean ukitzen dute erromatarrek munduaren amaiera zela uste zutena. Bidaia luze eta interesgarria izan da Frantziako St. Jean Pied de Port-etik Finisterre lurmuturreraino, Espainiako mendebaldeko muturreraino.

Inoiz ezin da imajinatu halako erromeriek gure bizitzan duten eragina. Itsasargi ondoan harri batean eserita nire bizitzako ilunabarrik bikainena ikusten, 900 kilometroko bidaia baten amaiera ezin hobea dirudi.

Hogeita hamazazpi egunetan ibiltzetik asko ikasi dudana. Ikasi dut lehen pausoa ematen baduzu, eta aurrera jarraitzen baduzu ere, herrenka edo arrastaka, euria edo distira, gaixoa edo osasuntsua, pozik edo triste, hara iritsiko zarela. Distantzia luzea eta zabala dirudi hasieran, baina pausoz pauso, egunez egun, hasieraren eta amaieraren arteko zubia egiten duzu poliki-poliki.

Ikasi dut argi izan behar duzula nora zoazen. Ez da zalantzarik izan behar zure buruan, beraz, bidean distrakzioekin topo egiten duzunean, ez dute luze iraungo, zehatz-mehatz badakizu nora joan behar duzun. Zure bidean oinarriturik zaude.

Behin ikuspegiaren argitasuna lortuta: gozatu bidaiaz. Helmuga ezin da inoiz bidaia bezain gozoa izan. Fokua beti egon behar da egun bakoitzean, une bakoitzean. Bihar ez dago hobekuntzarik, dena orain dago. Bizitza jaiotzen ari da orain.

Eta bidetik urruntzen bazara, ez jaramonik egin seinaleei. Ez saiatu bide erraza hartzen, ez bilatu lasterbiderik. Bideari aurre egin beharko diozu noizbait. Ez dago desberdintasunik maldan gora eta maldan behera. Biak dira biak bidaiarako, txori beraren bi hegal berdinak.

Gogoratu batzuetan bidea edertasunez, naturaz eta esfortzurik gabe isurtzen diren ibaiez beteta egongo dela. Eta batzuetan autobidean trafikoaren aurka ibiltzen ikusiko zara; larrialdirik ez jasaten saiatzen eta eguna gainditzeko asmoz. Berdin da, errepideak ez dira iraunkorrak – lur eremua aldatzen joango da. Garrantzitsuena norabide berean jarraitzea da.

Egun bakoitzak bere sorpresak ditu; gogoratu onak eta txarrak bereganatzea. Hartu uneak zure inguruko edertasunaz gozatzeko. Eta beti gelditu eta esku bat eman. Garrantzitsuagoa da umore onean heltzea garaiz iristea baino.

Izan ona zure gorputzarekin eta buruarekin. Bertatik lortuko duzu jartzen duzuna. Ez ezazu gehiegi jan janaria, baina ziurtatu gorputza nahikoa elikatzen duzula. Inoiz ez gutxietsi gau on baten loaren indarra. Eta gogamenarentzat, ez egon denbora luzez naysayers eta esamesak. Ez utzi gogoa horretara ohitzen. Askoz hobe da isilik eta bakarrik egotea.

Ez saiatu besteen abiaduran ibiltzen; hankak baino azkarrago ibiltzen bazara, azkar erreko zara. Astiroago ibiltzen bazara, horrekin ere nekatuko zara. Aurkitu zure bizitzako erritmoa. Eta ibili zure bihotzaren taupadak entzuteko aukera ematen dizun erritmora, eta mantendu zure arimatik datozen abesti lasaiak.

Izan arreta, baina izan malgua. Zurruna izateak hauskorra egin dezake. Adimenaren malgutasunak bizitza iraunkorragoa egiten du. Utzi gauza negatiboak zuregandik azkar pasatzen eta eskertu bizitzako on guztiagatik, hori baita biderkatzeko formula magikoa. Saiatu gogoratu oinetan babak, belauneko mina eta bizkarrean mina dituzunean, ezpainek oraindik irribarre bihurtzeko gaitasuna daukatela.

Batez ere, erantzuna beti da - maitasuna. Beti.

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25 PAST RESPONSES

User avatar
Shyam Mar 21, 2026
Beautiful journey , so well captured.
Take away is " it's more important to arrive in good spirits than to arrive on time". Need to remember this when I get anxious for no reason .
User avatar
Kiran Shetty Oct 1, 2025
Nanaste Guti you've capture"The Camino" journey's essence so beautifully. It is indeed always humbling to recognise a commonality of this inner experience that we are blessed with by the path. We walked from Oviedo to Finisterre, the Old Pilgrims route, in 2013.. Due to time constrains had to miss out on the Pyrennes but nevertheless it still was a
pilgrimage thats etched in my beingness-) 🙏Gracias Buen Camino!
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vinod May 25, 2025
all the wisdom for life's journey! muchas gracias!
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Brinda Oct 13, 2023
"Find your own pace in life. And walk to the rhythm that allows you to hear the beat of your own heart, and keep yourself tuned into the quiet songs coming from your soul."--so beautifully said Guri.....this whole piece was so inspiring and this quote above really resonated. Grateful to you for sharing your journey with us!
User avatar
Jinet Hamlin Jun 11, 2023
Beautifully written! Resonant with finding your own pace in life and being flexible!
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siska May 27, 2017

Not thought of by sprei waterproof if it goes over 900 KM

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Cris M Mar 9, 2014

Beautiful! I walked the Camino in 2011, part of it, though experienced the same. I think the pilgrimage has a unique meaning for each of the pilgrims, but at the same time, it is amazingly surprising that most of us experienced the same. Buen Camino!

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Surabhi Aug 14, 2012

This article is amazing everytime I read it, I find something new and inspiring. Kudoss
Just love it. Thanks Guri

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Sunchaser324 Jul 29, 2011

Guri,
you can't even imagine how this letter parallels your walk - your path - with that ofcountless others on a similar path realization. The parallels were striking. I began reading your passage and envisoned you on this walk but, my vision grew into something much more magnanimous, realizing that this is the metaphoric  key - to achieve your goal of a 37 day walk yes but of me and untold others of our own life's destination. I am enjoying the journey.

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K_boseley Jul 10, 2011

Thank you for sharing this. I connect with this piece in so many ways!!!!!! xoxo

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Barbara Hamilton Jun 18, 2011

Max Ehrman's writing "Desiderata" is my daily inspiration. I now have two to live by. This piece is beautifully written. Sincere thanks for sharing, as I plan to do as well. You are simply amazing, Guri. 

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~neha Jun 16, 2011

So simple yet so profound and so comforting! Thanks Guri!

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Mariette Jun 14, 2011

Guri, I'm just re-reading this.  Thank you for being a light that shines so brightly for the rest of us to see.  You brighten paths.  Sending you love and hugs

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Mariette Fourmeaux du Sartel Jun 14, 2011

Guri,  I just re-read this.  Thank you for sharing the light that shines within you.  It provides guidance in so many ways.  I send you hugs and love.

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Christopher Rivera Jun 9, 2011

That was beautiful, thank you so much for taking the time to share such an important message.

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Bharat Ketireddy Jun 9, 2011

wonderful guri... trying my best to embrace bad.. and trying to find my own pace. god bless!!

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Ganobadate Jun 9, 2011

My journey has no destination, no vision, no direction. It is not measured by time (days, hours) or distance (miles or kilometers). It is exciting all the time. I am learning all the time. I do not know whether it is of any value to anyone else. So i keep to myself.

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Jennifer Dastoor Jun 7, 2011

Well written, Guri. Thanks for sharing. We all need these reminders from time to time to maintain a perspective on what's important in life.

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Calu Jun 7, 2011

Bienvenida a casa peregrina! Nos vemos en el camino. Buen viaje!

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Paula Kiger Jun 7, 2011

beautifully said

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Gauri Jun 7, 2011

Dear Guri,
It's such an incredible chance to walk on the path of wisdom. I have that dream to walk on the same route since I read Paulo Coelho's  book, Pilgrimage six years ago. You are very fortunate to walk and learn along the way.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
Lots of love
Gauri

User avatar
Radhakrshnn Jun 7, 2011

So poignant.I wish I couldremember all the good tips and follow at least a few,in my long journey of life.Thanks for the lovely letter,and the punch line at the end,It is LOVE which will always win.

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John Donohoe Jun 7, 2011

Thank you

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Diane Nilan Jun 7, 2011

As one who's been on a 6-year journey to raise awareness about invisible homeless children, youth and families in America, I relate to Ms. Mehta's insightful observations. She walked. I downsized and have lived in a small motorhome, chronicling non-urban homelessness and poverty, reliant on others for support of my endeavors. Each step has been a mystery and a marvel.

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Nita Jun 7, 2011

This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It says everything that I need to know and everything that I would like to share with my near and dear ones, especially my two children. A heartfelt thank you, Guri.