We Are Pilgrims : Journeys in Search of Ourselves

Each year, 200 million of us embark on a pilgrimage of some kind. We have been making ritual journeys for millennia, ever since our ancient ancestors followed migrating animals, coming together to hunt and celebrate. The era of setting out as a matter of survival is long gone, but the impulse to travel somewhere sacred to us remains. Victoria Preston discovers that, whether we set forth in search of solace or liberation, as an expression of gratitude or faith, journeys of meaning and purpose are always a powerful reminder that we are each part of something much greater than ourselves. From the Stone Age pilgrims of Anatolia to the present-day crowds at Glastonbury, We Are Pilgrims is a quest to understand what drives this rich and varied human behaviour, unbounded by time or space, faith or identity. Like The Migrating Animals That Our Ancient Ancestors Once Followed, We Have Been Making Planned Long-distance Journeys For Millennia. What Was First A Matter Of Survival In Time Became A Celebration Of Seasonal Abundance--even Today, Many Pilgrim Festivals Remain Tied To The Solar-lunar Cycle That Guided Small Bands Of Hunter-gatherers To Come Together At Special Times And Places. The Era When We Were All Nomads Is Long Gone, But The Impulse To Undertake A Ritual Journey Remains: Each Year, 200 Million Of Us Embark On A Pilgrimage Of Some Kind. These Journeys Of Purpose May Involve Great Hardship, Great Danger, Or Half A Lifetime Of Waiting Just To Begin. Ranging From The Stone Age Pilgrims Of Anatolia To The New Age Pilgrims Of California, We Are Pilgrims Is A Quest To Understand What Drives This Rich And Varied Human Behaviour, Unbounded By Time Or Space, Faith Or Identity. Victoria Preston Discovers That, Whether We Set Forth In Search Of Comfort Or Liberation, As An Expression Of Gratitude Or Devotion, Journeys Of Meaning And Purpose Are Always A Powerful Reminder That We Are Each Part Of Something Much Greater Than Ourselves. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Prologue Introduction 1. Survival 2. Kinship 3. Faith 4. Wonder 5. Solace 6. Redemption 7. Hope 8. Gratitude 9. Liberation 10. Enlightenment Epilogue Notes Index