Haiku Prayers from the Camino
Last month, I shared my longing to “be where my feet are;" to be more fully present to God’s Presence in each moment. As I prepared for the Pilgrimage in the Belly of the Whale & Beyond at Flores del Camino Retreat Centre in Spain, I especially wanted to leave behind the constant pull of digital distractions.
When I arrived, I set my phone to “do not disturb” and tucked it into its little cell phone sleeping bag as a reminder to stay grounded right where my feet were. It was a simple first step toward being more fully present as we gathered in community, entered sacred silence, immersed ourselves in the story of Jonah, and walked a stunningly beautiful stretch of the Camino de Santiago.
Instead of posting along the way (or checking for others’ posts) as I had done the year before, I chose a different rhythm. Each evening, I wrote a haiku or two in my journal, with no intention of sharing them until I returned home. I was surprised by how freeing this felt. The haiku became a gentle way to reflect on my day without any pressure to produce or perform.
This simple, little haiku practice quickly became something I looked forward to each evening. It grounded me. Even on the most exhausting days, I could at least jot down a handful of words - trusting that I could return to them later and shape them into a haiku if I wanted. In many ways, my low pressure haiku practice became a prayer that helped me set aside distractions and be more fully present.
Perhaps you, too, are longing for a way to set aside distractions and be more present right where your feet are. If so, you might consider experimenting with this gentle practice of praying with haiku.
At the end of the day, simply jot down a few words... no sentences or profound insights required! Just notice what lingers. Then, if you have the time or energy, prayerfully and playfully shape those words into a haiku: three lines, with a rhythm of 5–7–5 syllables. It is a simple yet surprisingly profound practice.
When I returned home from Spain a few weeks ago, I resisted the urge to rush into sharing. Instead, I gave myself space to savor the photos, read back over my journal, and gently reflect on these haiku prayers. And now, I’m delighted to share a few of these Camino haiku with you in this email. If you would like to read a few more, just click here.
If you give this haiku prayer practice a try, I would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to reply to this email ... and even share a few of your haiku if you wish! I would be honored to pray them with you.
