Language: English/ Spanish - GUIDANCE OFFERED ON DONATION BASIS -
Pilgrimage
THE PATH OF THE LIGHT
30 September – 5 October, 2023
Catalan Prepyrenees
A 6-day pilgrimage through the magical Serra de l’Albera.
Guided by Gemma Polo
group limited to 10 participants
GUIDANCE OFFERED ON DONATION BASIS
www.gemmapolopujol.com
In this transformative walk, we will cross astonishing landscapes and get to know places that emanate beautiful energy and are full of symbolic and cultural value. The route draws a circle and combines lush forests, megalithic monuments and high mountain landscapes.
Through walking in simplicity and silence, listening to the deep longing of our heart and putting a true intention in each step, we will open ourselves to embrace the different textures of light that the path will bring us. And little by little we will rediscover our own spirituality and genuine way of connecting with the sacred, becoming one with the elements and knowing that we are part of a much wider reality.
above the Serra de l’Albera, with the Serra de Rodes and the MediterraneanSea in the background
A pilgrimage or path of initiation is a beautiful way to enter the realm of the heart simply by taking one step after another. The majesty and immense beauty of the surroundings are a great help along the way, continually whispering to us “keep going, keep going…”
We walk along healing and transformative paths for ourselves, for the earth, and for all beings.
resting on the way
Landscape:
During this 6-day walking retreat, we will cross ancient forests and walk through the majestic Serra de l’Albera from where we can see and smell the sea. We will admire the emblematic Requesens Castle and discover ancient megalithic monuments.
Castle of Requesens
Dolmen of the Gutina
Menhir of the Gutina
Uterus of the Gutina
A taste of what we will do:
The essence of this pilgrimage is the practice of walking in itself, as a spiritual and transformative journey. These are some additional elements:
– Wake up with the sunrise.
– Combine walking in silence and resting all day and in direct contact with nature.
– Sharing in circle, meditative singing, guided connected movement.
– Moments of solitude and integration.
– Sleep in a simple and beautiful mountain refuge, rural homes in nature, and glamping.
– Share, support each other, laugh and enjoy.
meditative singing at sunset Photo: Jaume Alsina
connected movement at sunrise
shaing circle
Some practical notes:
-We will walk from 4 to 7 hours every day (7-15 km per day).
-The elevation drop will vary between -1000 and +700 meters per day (the terrain will be 1 days flatter, 1 day with more elevation drop, 2 days longer)
-No technical knowledge of mountaineering is needed, but it is crucial that you are used to or able to walk in nature for 4-5 hours and have the strength or confidence to go up and down mountain paths.
–We will walk carrying all our luggage in a measured way plus the daily picnic (about 7-10 Kg in total). We will not need to carry a sleeping bag or tents since the glamping nights will be the first and last night. Once you formalize the reservation, you will receive a very specific list of things to bring with the aim of walking as light as possible.
-The group will be limited to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 participants.
Accommodations
We will sleep 2 nights in a rural house in the middle of nature, 1 night in a well-equipped mountain refuge and 2 nights in glamping tents. All the rooms and glamping tents will be shared.
Food
The food will be varied and will include meat and fish. If you let us know in advance, we can also offer you vegetarian or vegan food.
If you have any allergies or intolerances, please indicate this on the registration form and we will take it into account. In order to facilitate and honor the work of the cooks, if it is only about food preferences, we ask that you please do without these during the pilgrimage. Thanks!.
some accommodations of the path
Where and when?
This pilgrimage will take place in the north-east of Catalonia.
We will meet on Saturday 30 September at 12 noon in the town of Espolla.
We will finish on Thursday 5 October in the town of Espolla around 4pm.
The meeting point and departure point are about 20 minutes from the city of Figueres. If convenient, we can organize shared cars or taxis to go from Figueres to Espolla.
The train from Barcelona arrives in Figueres in a journey of around 2 hours. This train also passes through Girona about 30 minutes before arriving in Figueres
If you are coming from abroad or other areas of the country, when buying your plane tickets or other transport, please leave enough time before and after the pick-up to get to the airport or the station on time.
the majestic Serra de l’Albera
About the facilitator:
Gemma Polo Pujol offers Deep Rest meditation retreats, pilgrimages in nature around the world and spiritual guidance since 2002.
Theologian, pilgrim, poet and mother, lived in India for a decade, co-founded Open Dharma in Europe and created a pioneering eco-retreat centre in Spain.
With a wealth of experience of spiritual practices as diverse as contemplation, Zen, Advaita, various forms of devotion and a deep connection to the ancient, nature-based, wisdom traditions; Gemma accompanies and guides each person genuinely to listen to the whispers of their own heart.
Together with Sophia Style, Gemma has co-created and offers the Facilitator and Ritual Guide training, and the online course Medicine Woman: a journey to your center, among many other offerings.
Her first book “There is Light and only Light, teachings to illuminate your inner journey” that gathers what she has shared in dozens of retreats around the world, has been published in English by Watkins publishing and in Catalan and Spanish by IKI editorial in 2023.
For more details about her trajectory and what she offers, you can visit:
To be a pilgrim is to enter the sanctuary of myself, discover the wonder of being brought beyond my strength and my determination. It means to become humble, open to the beauty and magic of each landscape, savouring the energy and wisdom of each territory.
Please see the page about pilgrimages on Gemma’s website to have a better way of tuning into her understanding of what it means to be a pilgrim: https://gemmapolopujol.com/en/pilgrimages/
You can also enjoy watching this precious 3-minute video called Pilgrimage: the art of walking with the heart:
Price and donations:
The price for the 6 days of the retreat-pilgrimage is 375 euros + conscious donation for the facilitator.
The initial price of 375 euros includes:
-Five nights accommodation.
-All breakfasts, lunches (except those on days 1st and 6th), all dinners.
-Accident insurance.
Donations:
Gemma offers her guidance without any fixed price, as it has been done in many traditions for millennia in the spiritual realm, with the intention of giving space to everyone, and with the beauty of not limiting what is infinite. At the end of the pilgrimage you will have the opportunity to offer donations to Gemma and honor her dedication in guiding, creating the route and organizing the pilgrimage. Thanks for your generosity!
There is a universe of freedom when we offer without a fixed price, both for the one who gives and for the one who receives.
Registration:
1. To reserve your place, please fill in this form
2. Payment and deposit: To reserve accommodation in advance and secure your place on the pilgrimage, we ask you to make a payment and deposit of €275 via bank transfer or €285 via PayPal (the 10 € extras are to cover PayPal fees).
These are the bank details to make the deposit:
Open Dharma Association,
Triodos Bank ES31 1491 0001 2210 09539220 (Please put your name and “path of light” in the concept)
Or via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/OpenDharmaSpain/285
3. Please send us an email to gemmapolopujol@gmail.com once the transfer has been made to inform us.
Cancellation policy:
If you have to cancel your place after you have paid for the reservation, we will return the entire reservation minus 10% towards administration costs until September 1st. After this date we can only refund 50% of the reservation. From September 22nd, we will not be able to refund your reservation. Thank you for your comprehension.
Important note from Gemma:
I offer pilgrimages with the intention of sharing my love for practicing walking meditation and being in wild nature. It is not my intention to act as a mountain guide even though I do have many years of experience walking and climbing mountains and I know very well each valley of the Pyrenees. My task in guiding this pilgrimage focuses on a spiritual and personal accompaniment of each individual and the group, encouraging inner growth in accordance to each individual’s genuine call.
During the pilgrimage, each person will be responsible for her, his or they physical and mental health and we will walk as a group of adults moved by an intention of the heart and capable of helping each other along the way.
If you have any question about the pilgrimage, please write to us at:
Looking forward to walking this path of transformation together.
Gemma