The Journey: A Novel of Pilgrimage and Spiritual Quest [Paperback]

Elyn Aviva (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

The Journey begins on the Camino de Santiago and ranges across Spain, France, and Turkey. It is the tale of Gwen, a young American pilgrim, who is confronted by a vision that won't leave her alone. Driven by the deep longing of her soul, Gwen embarks on an archetypal journey that includes modern-day Druids, a quest for the Grail, the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral, the Forest of Brocéliande, Black Madonna shrines, and Sufis in Istanbul. Along the way she finds wise teachers and charlatans, true love and its imitations. Her search for meaning leads her, eventually, to discover who she really is.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...I loved this! I could hear the sounds, smell the smells, feel the atmosphere..." -- Devi Tide, Executive Director and Secretary General of the Sufi Order International, North America

"Aviva's book is a welcome addition to spiritual journey literature." -- Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Sr. Adjunct Faculty at the Iliff School of Theology

"Elyn Aviva has created a magical, mystical quest." -- Kathy Gower, Ph.D

"This is a journey of the soul, . . . that, in the end, is the journey of life itself." -- Brad Berglund, Director, Illuminated Journeys

About the Author

Elyn Aviva earned a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology at Princeton University (1985); her dissertation topic was the modern-day pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It was the first anthropological dissertation on the Camino, and Following the Milky Way, her travel narrative based on her experiences and her research, was the first contemporary American account of the pilgrimage. Elyn has traveled the Camino a number of times, including three times on foot (1982, 1997, and 2000). In 2002 she began walking one of the French Chemins de St. Jacques (Roads of St. James), the route that begins in Le Puy en Velay.

Elyn earned a Master of Divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology (Denver, Colorado) in 1997. While completing the degree, she spent a summer training to be a hospital chaplain, and she served First Universalist Church of Denver as an intern minister for over a year, during which time she gave various sermons that drew on her background in comparative religion.

She also taught Introduction to Religious Studies at ISU and has led various adult religious-education courses. Elyn is a long-time student of Sufism. She has also studied geomancy and sacred geometry with a French Druid.

When not traveling or living in Europe, Elyn lives in Colorado with her husband, Gary White. They trained at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to be labyrinth facilitators, and they lead labyrinth-walking workshops (complete with slide shows).

A pilgrim at heart, Elyn is happiest when she is doing research on and writing about sacred sites, sacred geometry, and spiritual quest. She is available for presentations on pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago, and labyrinths.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Pilgrims' Process, Inc. (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974959707
• ISBN-13: 978-0974959702
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for the thinking individual!, August 11, 2006

By 

Liesl M. Seborg "lippy librarian" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey: A Novel of Pilgrimage and Spiritual Quest (Paperback)

The Journey is a must read for the thinking individual! The plot is compelling and fraught with historical and social detail--not to mention incredible descriptions of food and art. The Journey describes the pilgrimage of one woman, Gwen, to find herself and her place in the world while traveling the Camino de Santiago of Spain and France. Time loses a strict meaning on the Camino and for Gwen it absolutely unravels in her dreams and visions. Gwen finds herself learning from all sources as she seeks the truth about her visions and the power that lies beneath them. Gwen travels among the Druids, the Sufis, mystics, warriors and devout Christians on her quest--learning from each. In The Journey, myth, vision and history meld together in this one-of-a-kind story which invites the reader to benefit from Ms. Aviva's extensive knowledge of the El Camino and its pilgrims.

Ms. Aviva has written several scholarly and fictional works which build upon her experiences living and traveling in Europe and the world. Of particular note is: "Following the Milky Way: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago" which describes her own 500 mile pilgrimage on the El Camino while doing field work for her PhD in anthropology. Readers may also enjoy the mystery "Dead End on the Camino" which is also detail laden for even the most discerning tourist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An author who KNOWS, July 13, 2006

By 

A. L. Ralston "Amy Louise Ralston" (Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey: A Novel of Pilgrimage and Spiritual Quest (Paperback)

How wonderful to read a novel centred around themes of spirituality and personal development! How FABULOUS that the author actually knows what she is talking about through experience---not research!!!! This is a perfect novel to either introduce newcomers to walking their own spiritual path, or to delight those of us who have walked for awhile. It is extremely hard to convey in a novel something worth saying about spiritual journeying and consciousness. It is in the journey that we come face to face with the fact that all reality is completely subjective and based on one's experience and level of awareness. (ask the quantum scientists!) So, how are we supposed to navigate this ethereal world that calls our hearts to more compassion and joy? Let Elyn Aviva's characters tell you their story! (and read her own account of walking the ancient pilgrimage trail to Santiago de Compostela in "Following the Milky Way."

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars End of Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage sparks search for self, September 5, 2004

By 

Timecheck "backpack45.com - Camino Chronicle... (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journey: A Novel of Pilgrimage and Spiritual Quest (Paperback)

The single minded focus of long distance hiking or pilgrimage comes to an abrupt end at the finish of the trip. The world comes rushing in and re-entry can be difficult.

The heroine of this novel is trying to deal with this reaction as the end of her secular pilgrimage on Camino de Santiago comes to an end. She is not ready to stop. Her questions are unanswered, so she continues on, searching for completion.

Friends she makes during her journey introduce her to other spiritual paths that will help her quest. We learn about and meet druids, hear about the search for the feminine, walk labyrinths, have Tarot readings, revisit parts of the Camino and hear King Arthur legends. The author is well versed in the sacred rituals, so the novel has the ring of truth.

This is the third book I've read by Elyn Aviva - the first being her account of her Camino walk and the 2nd her mystery set in a Camino setting. Each of her books imparts a great deal of knowledge while entertaining you with the story.

I recommend it to anyone who has walked on the ancient paths in Europe, or who is intrigued by the mystical common thread.