Exceptional Human Experiences Among Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago: A Typology of Experiences and Transformative Aftereffects

The increasing popularity of pilgrimage at the Camino de Santiago is one of the most interesting developments in terms of religion and spirituality in the Western world. Based on qualitative and quantitative content analysis of 32 pilgrim travelogues, this study constructs an empirically grounded typology of Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs) among pilgrims, whereby EHEs are understood as specific combinations of out-of-the-ordinary experiences during the pilgrimage and their transformative aftereffects (TAs). Combining different techniques of coding and statistical analyses, we identify seven basic types of EHEs. The most common type is denoted as the experience of interconnectedness with the main effect of a higher emphasis on unity and love. Together with six other identified types, it forms a coherent worldview that closely resembles the "Being-values" defined by Abraham Maslow. These values are at the core of the process of self-actualization of an individual and typically include notions of interconnectedness, unity, wholeness, simplicity, essentiality, just-rightness, spontaneity, effortlessness, benevolence, honesty, autonomy, and individuality. We conclude that the main effect of walking the Camino is a boost in self-actualization as understood in terms of humanistic psychology. It is also argued that the EHE perspective is a useful approach for studying the experiences of pilgrims at Camino de Santiago and for other aspects of late modern spirituality as well.