Since 2022, I’ve been heading out to Spain twice each year to do a week on the Camino de Santiago.
Almost always, I come back with clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of purpose for the months ahead.
I never understood why this was happening. I just noticed that it was happening.
So I keep going back.
However, in a recent conversation with Mark Walsh for our upcoming Holistic Coaching Summit, he shared a framework that helped to explain what was happening to me on the Camino.
It’s called the Tetrarchy Model.
In essence, it suggests that we are most likely to find purpose if we take the following four elements into account:
1.) The body. This is about using the body as a kind of “radar” for purpose. There will be certain activities that you do that light you up and touch something deep inside when you engage in them. For me, this is when I’m interviewing people and writing. What is it for you?
2.) Community. This is about having people in your corner — mentors or “encouragers” who believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself. It’s hard to underestimate how valuable it is to simply get a pat on the back every once in a while and to be told: “You’ve got this.”
3.) Ecology. We’re not going to find purpose by staring at our screens. Spending extended periods deep in nature reconnects us with something that is both deep within and bigger than our individual ego. It’s usually from this place that we find clarity on the optimal direction for our lives.
4.) Spiritual Practices. We get disconnected from purpose because we live in a consumer culture which hypnotises us into thinking that we are the centre of the universe. One of the key benefits of spiritual practices is that they remove this illusion, and remind me: “Your life is not about you.” It’s about service to others. That’s where the meaning is.
When Mark shared this framework, I realised that the Camino ticks all four boxes, which might explain the clarity I’ve been finding along the way.
If you ever find yourself disconnected from your own sense of purpose, try using the Tetrarchy model to get back on track.
You can pre-register for a free pass to the summit via the following link: https://bit.ly/hcs-pre-reg
