Learning Curve

CAMINO STAGE 18- Ribadesella to La Isla Camino del Norte Route of El Camino De Santiago. 8 miles, day 19, 18 days to go

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“Every activity worth doing has a learning curve.” Seth Godin

In Ancient Rome, when needing to record a thought or idea, Romans used a wax-covered tablet called a tabula, covered by layers of wax or rasa, to write notes on with a stylus. To erase the notes, the wax was heated and then smoothed, a tabula rasa or blank slate ensued. Philosophers as far back as Aristotle have used “tabula rasa” to theorize that we are all born without mental content— a “tabula rasa”— without knowledge. Intelligence, wisdom and knowledge is then gained through sensory experiences or perception. Modern science has pinpointed the cerebral cortex, the outer tissue of the brain that processes sensory input, where knowledge is gained and stored on our “tablets” through a process of repetition and time. A learning curve or proficiency happens when a specific task is performed repeatedly.

Spending so much time in the quiet on the Camino, some of my blindspots have bubbled up to the surface. Wisdom, waiting for an opportune moment of quiet reflection on my part, quietly filled in the blanks with suggestions on the tabula rasa of my heart and suggested that I work on pacing myself on the Camino. Aware that I needed to work on slowing down, being present and mindful of the scenery while climbing hills, I rushed up them anyway, telling myself it was important to push my cardio capacity on the hard parts of the camino. In truth, I knew Wisdom was right, but wanted the sensation of burning quads and breathlessness over with faster. At the summit, legs seizing from lactic acid buildup, Wisdom reminded I wouldn’t be so taxed on our 37 day journey if I slowed down… My steep learning curve of pacing myself boiled down to my impatience with equanimity — being comfortable in an uncomfortable position. Wisdom whispered that equanimity would change the trajectory of my Camino if I would just try it. Now, three weeks in, and finally slowing way back, I’m understanding the hard parts of the Camino I was rushing through were actually the best parts. The difficult but beautiful segments each day, I was meant to savor, etch and take notes on the waxy parts of my heart and mind. Now the arcs in one area of my learning curve can intersect with knowledge that I need for happiness and progression.

“Year after year our tables get no completeness, and at last we discover that our curve is a parabola, whose arcs will never meet.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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However, if there was one good thing about rushing up a mountain, it would be the photos and videos I had time to take, while waiting for others to catch up. Plus I had time to decipher the historical markers explaining what had transpired in the past. The latest historical marker we encountered explained in the summer of 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, La Isla residents, and the Republican army prepared for an invasion of Franco’s troops, backed by Germany and Italy, by digging and hammering out trenches in Asturias along the limestone coast to defend themselves. These trenches, eighty five years later still haven’t been erased despite the tides, storms and seasons. Wisdom gently taught, the tabula rasa after war should never be erased, as removing and melting away the memories, atrocities and horrors of the past means another steep learning curve for generations to come.

“Those willing to leave the comfort zone of their expertise have the opportunity to climb a learning curve, forge new ground, and reap the promise of growth.” — Liz Wiseman

Continuing on the Camino past the trenches, I thought of the things I’d like erased from my life but was reminded they are engraved on my mind so I don’t make those mistakes again… wisdom learned from pain and suffering, has muscle memory. It provides the strength to have equanimity and breathe through the continued hard parts of life, because speeding through the difficulties isn’t an option.

“ I’m always on some sort of learning curve. If I can continually be surprised, then I’m alert. “ Robert Plant

I was also mindful a short time later of the unlimited learning curves in life while failing to be understood by a Castilian Spanish speaking clerk in a grocery store. Floundering repeatedly teaches me to work harder and not try to rush through learning proper vowel sounds. While watching Steve conversing and excelling in Spanish, I’m prompted anew of the power of equanimity— being comfortable while being uncomfortable. Bumbling and embarrassment is the part of learning a language and I melt and erase the discouragement from the tablets of my heart and try again.

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Today we reached 250 miles on the Camino, the half way mark. I feel elation we’ve made it this far but know there’s even more hard days on the horizon. Simultaneously, as I glance at the progress of my tabula rasa, I see some improvement on the work I finally took off the shelf to delve into. There are stormy days forecasted ahead, but I’m now willing to tune into Wisdom and not erase what she impresses on my heart. Learning curves like mountains are meant to be tackled slowly and patiently. Pausing and turning around now and again to admire the view, I see the hard parts for what they are—signposts to wisdom’s door.

“My learning curve has had more squiggles than I counted on.” Rodney Ross