Valuefull on the road + Getting Europe on the move

The most original form of travel was probably pilgrimage (pilgrims were also called “Reyssläufer” in the Middle Ages). This has always stood for the longing for an overarching (life) goal and meaning and for the desire to engage with the world and foreign cultures with empathy and curiosity. Encounters with the unfamiliar encourage the willingness to take a self-critical look at the patterns of one’s own habits of thought and action. Those who also open themselves up to reflecting on their own values in the mirror of the society in which we live and exchanging ideas with others not only gain inner strength and courage to face life, but also the motivation to help shape reality.

As part of the European model project “Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles”, people are invited to search for traces of the lost paths of the medieval pilgrims to Santiago in a multifaceted region in the heart of Europe. The explorations along the rediscovered routes offer the opportunity to discover medieval “contemporary witnesses” of the pilgrimage in order to trace what sustainably connects people, time(s) and living spaces. This valuable journey allows us to explore the world we want to live in - in view of the past - and the values we stand for.

The following canon of values provides inspiration for the “spiritual luggage” when walking along the stars. The values described therein summarize the social, spiritual and cultural foundations of Europe and are intended - without claiming to be exhaustive - as a source of inspiration and guidance for reflection and further thought. In this way, these values can be creatively reflected on along the way or when pausing to reflect and contribute to a new self-image of social cohesion and fundamental European values.

Peace refers to a state between individuals, groups or states that is free from (violent) conflict and war and in which emerging conflicts are resolved non-violently with the help of rules and laws. An important prerequisite for this is the virtue of “peacefulness” and the willingness to actively strive for peace. Individuals can also achieve a feeling of “contentment”, a so-called “inner peace”, through self-awareness and self-examination. Seeking (inner) peace means embarking on a path in life that is geared towards living in harmony with oneself. This is the basis for being able to find peace on the outside and to carry it out into the world.

Humanity stands as a term for (co-)humanity and the continuous cultural formation of the mind, which aims at the realization of human rights, helpfulness and participation. It is about the position of man in the world and for the world: to be responsible, to follow the truth on the trail and to fathom the innermost thing that constitutes being human - the Conditio humana. Humanity is defined and brought to life both by the individual and by the particular culture that practices it. In most cultures, the humanitarian worldview includes the values of dignity, connectedness, compassion, kindness, charity, helpfulness, and mercy. The elementary prerequisites of a humane way of life include openness and kindness. The ability to recognize the polarities that arise on each individual life path and to balance them in the interplay between the inner and outer worlds, if possible to reconcile them, is one of the essential characteristics of humanity.

Freedom is a privilege from which many people are still excluded. Being free means being able to make decisions in a self-determined manner and without external coercion. However, part of the experience of freedom is the ability to feel the difference between freedom and unfreedom. Paradoxically, this means that in order to unfold, freedom also requires limits, which must be reflected in the pursuit of one’s own freedom. Freedom requires self-knowledge and self-responsibility in thought and action. Free is he who is in harmony with himself and shapes the gift of freedom with gratitude and meaning.

Solidarity is derived from the Latin word meaning “solid, genuine, firm” and is therefore associated with consistency, continuity and stability. Solidarity describes sticking together with and supporting other people whose ideals, values and goals you share. It requires a public space and proximity in order to express sympathy, solidarity and compassion towards others. It is also about growing together in a cosmopolitan community with a friendly attitude in order to peacefully stand up for common values.

Level Ecology

Spirituality is about the “way art” of becoming oneself. In this process, the wonders of life and the meaning of one’s own life mission become more conscious and can be experienced in their actual (carrying) breadth, away from purely rational ways of looking at things.

The spiritual dimension ignites in the purposeful pause and in the sincere devotion. On a higher level, the inclusion of the spiritual dimension opens up to humanity the opportunity to make the meaning of human existence and its ethical and moral task more comprehensible and to act accordingly. Herein lies a spiritual resource to cope with the upcoming change within our society in favor of a better world.

An access to experience spiritual reality is offered by exercises of slowing down, mindfulness, undivided devotion, meditation or inner prayer (in an interdenominational context). This requires places where these exercises can be celebrated undisturbed and time in which something can mature and heal. Meditative journeying on the “Starry Path” and pausing at special places of the past offer a variety of individual spaces of experience for this.

Tips for on the road