The Discarded Image: Emily Tucker

"Finding Meaning While Steeping in the Camino Cauldron" written by Dr. Kip Redick

The discarded image is the belief medieval pilgrims held that they needed to strip themselves of all habits, sins, preconceptions, and identities that defined their "old self".  This acted as a symbolic "shedding" of their old life, in order to open themselves up to interior spiritual transformation. It aided in purifying the pilgrim on their journey so that they could return home more Christ-like and spiritually attuned. Additionally, the discarded image broke down the hierarchical social status medieval serfs were subject to, allowing the pilgrim a sense of freedom and a sacred purpose while on the journey. No pilgrim on the journey was better or at a higher status than another. In a world where everyone was born into a status that defined their entire life, this had a significant impact on the medieval pilgrim's self-image and meaning of his life. 

While not all modern pilgrims subscribe to these same ideologies, "the cultural texts, religious iconography, architecture, and tradition along the Way of Saint James remain rooted in that discarded image," despite every pilgrim having different motives for walking the Camino.

Dr Redick mentions that "Turner writes, "the weariness of the body is submitted to hard, voluntary discipline, loosening the bonds of matter to liberate the spirit." Everyone walking toward Santiago’s tomb experiences this weariness of body, feels the exigencies of discipline, and has the potential for a liberation of spirit."

This is in stark contrast to tourists, who don't wish to experience such hardships. However, it is these hardships that develop the strongest and deepest relationships, in what is referred to as communitas. "Pilgrims, via communitas, share encounters with cultural texts and dialogue with these texts to discover meaning, thus allowing preconceptions to fade and new meaning to arise." Redick describes how many pilgrims begin the Camino with certain expectations and interpretations, all of which change and are shattered as they go along their journey. 

One motivation for tourists is to experience different cultures. However, because they lack the hardships, it is less likely that they will develop communitas on their journey. By removing the difficulties of the journey, they are separating themselves from a shared encounter with others via hardship. Instead of truly getting to know the people and establishing deep relationships, the tourist is separating themselves and only getting an outward view that is blurred by their preconceptions and projections. 

The discarded image reminds me a lot about the kenosis and self-emptying we discussed earlier this semester. It has very similar themes of ridding ourselves of all our old thoughts and preconceptions in order to open ourselves to transformation. Even when not on a long-distance journey I think it is important to practice this in order to have a more open mind and view of the world and other people

When it comes to hardship, I like most people like to avoid it. However, I do recognize the benefits of doing hard things and facing challenges because it makes you a stronger, more knowledgeable person. I can see even in my own life, that the people I faced difficult things with I have a deeper and more personal connection with.

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