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THE JOHN MERRILL MINISTRY
THE JOHN MERRILL MINISTRY
THE JOHN MERRILL MINISTRY
"Embracing and honouring all faiths and none"
Independent Multi-Faith minster.
- heavenly meaningful services and ceremonies.
Leading Pilgrimage walker and author.
Telephone No. 01992 762776 Email - [email protected]
Blog
I am notme when I walk
| Posted on 30 August, 2016 at 7:01 |
comments (118)
|
I
am not me when I walk by Revd.John N. Merrill This
may, at first glance, seem strange and almost nonsensical, but it is
real. I have realised for a long time that a great change occurs when
I put my boots and rucksack on and go for a long walk. I don't just
look for it or wonder what will happen, it just does; I am
transformed. The immediate everyday life disappears and a new
wondrous life comes into being. For a long while I ignored the signs
and what was happening, now I take note and simply am in awe of the
magic that occurs. For none of this happens in my “normal” life,
although more recently there has started to be a major overlap. As
I stride out the door I leave “normal” life behind and enter a
world where everything is possible and full of miracles. I don't
expect or ask anything, it just happens. I walk with an open mind, do
not preplan anything and encounter a never ending sequence of events,
occurrences and much synchronicity. I just reach a crossroads or a
point in the walk and a new door opens with amazing gifts. I have
been aware of this crucially for the last five years but I know it
has been happening all my life, but never really understood or
acknowledged it. It
was while walking to Mont St. Michel, in June 2016, that everything
slotted into place in my mind; and I said to myself for the first
time, “I am not me when I walk.” I had had bad weather, no
accommodation, no guidebook for awhile, the paths were overgrown and
the waymarking was awful, yet I strode out each day, never thinking
of quitting. Just quietly confident to keep walking and everything
would be fine. I planned nothing or had any kind of schedule and had
not booked any campsite or accommodation, Battered but delighted and
full of joy I reached Mont St. Michel and the deepest feelings of
gratitude and humbleness overcame me. More profound feelings than I
had ever experienced before. I
believe the true story of this pilgrimage walk demonstrates this
”remarkable me.” So many unforgettable moments occurred. I even
surprised myself by speaking fluently in French, something I have
never had the courage to do before; I quite simply felt at home,
although I had never been in the area before. The helpfulness of the
people I met all along the route really surprised me. Even seeking
accommodation in the early stages I wasn't just told there was no
rooms were available but they rang around trying to locate a bed. Even
the first night on the park bench by the river in Winchester, I felt
totally safe, at home, and slept well and undisturbed. Then in the
early morning entering the cathedral I was most warmly welcomed by
the Canon and sat in “choir stall” pew for the service. Partway
through we all shook hands and said “Peace be with you”, a heart
wrenching moment. Then to crown it all the Canon came to me and gave
me a prayer and blessing for my walk to Mont St. Michel; a moment I
shall never forget. Then
right at the end after more than 200 miles of walking I walked along
the sandy peninsula to the start of the crossing to Mont St. Michel.
You need a guide for this dangerous crossing and I hadn't got a clue
who to ask and had seen no-one. Yet just at the very moment I reached
the sandbar a guide and party suddenly appeared out of a sand-dune
and they allowed me to join them across the 7 km of sand, mud and
rivers; truly remarkable. (Copyright
– Revd. John N. Merrill – August 2016) |
I AM NOT ME WHEN I WALK
| Posted on 30 August, 2016 at 6:57 |
comments (186)
|
I
am not me when I walk by Revd.John N. Merrill This
may, at first glance, seem strange and almost nonsensical, but it is
real. I have realised for a long time that a great change occurs when
I put my boots and rucksack on and go for a long walk. I don't just
look for it or wonder what will happen, it just does; I am
transformed. The immediate everyday life disappears and a new
wondrous life comes into being. For a long while I ignored the signs
and what was happening, now I take note and simply am in awe of the
magic that occurs. For none of this happens in my “normal” life,
although more recently there has started to be a major overlap. As
I stride out the door I leave “normal” life behind and enter a
world where everything is possible and full of miracles. I don't
expect or ask anything, it just happens. I walk with an open mind, do
not preplan anything and encounter a never ending sequence of events,
occurrences and much synchronicity. I just reach a crossroads or a
point in the walk and a new door opens with amazing gifts. I have
been aware of this crucially for the last five years but I know it
has been happening all my life, but never really understood or
acknowledged it. It
was while walking to Mont St. Michel, in June 2016, that everything
slotted into place in my mind; and I said to myself for the first
time, “I am not me when I walk.” I had had bad weather, no
accommodation, no guidebook for awhile, the paths were overgrown and
the waymarking was awful, yet I strode out each day, never thinking
of quitting. Just quietly confident to keep walking and everything
would be fine. I planned nothing or had any kind of schedule and had
not booked any campsite or accommodation, Battered but delighted and
full of joy I reached Mont St. Michel and the deepest feelings of
gratitude and humbleness overcame me. More profound feelings than I
had ever experienced before. I
believe the true story of this pilgrimage walk demonstrates this
”remarkable me.” So many unforgettable moments occurred. I even
surprised myself by speaking fluently in French, something I have
never had the courage to do before; I quite simply felt at home,
although I had never been in the area before. The helpfulness of the
people I met all along the route really surprised me. Even seeking
accommodation in the early stages I wasn't just told there was no
rooms were available but they rang around trying to locate a bed. Even
the first night on the park bench by the river in Winchester, I felt
totally safe, at home, and slept well and undisturbed. Then in the
early morning entering the cathedral I was most warmly welcomed by
the Canon and sat in “choir stall” pew for the service. Partway
through we all shook hands and said “Peace be with you”, a heart
wrenching moment. Then to crown it all the Canon came to me and gave
me a prayer and blessing for my walk to Mont St. Michel; a moment I
shall never forget. Then
right at the end after more than 200 miles of walking I walked along
the sandy peninsula to the start of the crossing to Mont St. Michel.
You need a guide for this dangerous crossing and I hadn't got a clue
who to ask and had seen no-one. Yet just at the very moment I reached
the sandbar a guide and party suddenly appeared out of a sand-dune
and they allowed me to join them across the 7 km of sand, mud and
rivers; truly remarkable. (Copyright
– Revd. John N. Merrill – August 2016) |