Pilgrimage and soul searching : discovering the essence of spiritual travel

Abstract

This dissertation is constructed upon the notion that every individual is a spiritual being embarking upon a human journey. The individual is always looking for happiness and truth. Some individuals embark on a pilgrimage to experience a journey that is both solitary and communal. This concept of spirituality is directly linked to the pilgrimage experience. Spiritual travel attracts both practising and non-practising christians who may be seeking personal meaningful experiences. The pilgrimage route may become a form of intermediary and a mystical place where God and mankind relate with each other and where transformation of the soul occurs. The dissertation identifies itself with a phenomenological study of the pilgrimage experience and the essence of spiritual travel in facilitating life purpose and meaning. This study incorporated all types of pilgrimages, both the traditional pilgrimage, as well as pilgrimages in a form of the Camino. Different themes were addressed in this dissertation such as: motivations for embarking on the pilgrimage; the connection between pilgrimage and soul searching; the essence of spiritual travel which includes the impact of nature, symbols, pilgrimage rituals, the physical movements on pilgrimage, as well as the impact of Jesus, Mary and the saints on the individual.