Windows of the Soul

Windows of the Soul consisted of five virtual pilgrimages published in August and September 2025. A new page was added to this website each week and participants shared their thoughts on the Pilgrimage of the Word WhatsApp group. This page introduces the pilgrimages and contains links to each pilgrimage page.

For more information on virtual pilgrimage look at this page, or send a WhatsApp message to Dave Smith or an email to davidborrowdale54@hotmail.com

This quotation from the author CS Lewis shows how what we see in the physical world can help point us to God. The Windows of the Soul virtual pilgrimages are a way of exploring this more deeply on our own spiritual journey.

Participants were invited to meditate on the symbolism of the differing light coming through the windows of a church laid out in a traditional way, as shown in the diagram.

If you stand facing the altar in many churches, the East Window will be ahead of you.

  • On your left-hand side will be North Window.

  • On your right-hand side in the South Window.

  • Behind you will be the West Window.

You may imagine yourself standing in your own church, or a church or cathedral you have visited, as you use these meditations.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit a church or cathedral and use these meditations, making a domestic pilgrimage (more information on this page), moving around the building to aid your thoughts.

You could also move around your home to experience the lighting in different rooms, or stay in one room and face different directions.

To be effective of course, we must make sure those windows are clean!

The actor Alan Alda wrote:

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

Then, having cleaned the windows, your subsequent reflections may bring new insights and understanding. The meeting of these challenges is very much what pilgrimage can be about.

1. Holy Longing

“Examine yourselves”, 2 Corinthians 13.5

Your pilgrim journey begins with new thoughts or experiences that are in some way challenging, or a desire to examine a specific Scripture.

Using the links below, you will visit each window turn, allowing the light to shine on different aspects of your relationship with God.

Here are some Bible verses for meditation, but you may very well choose others that are more appropriate for you.

1. To the North, you are invited to reflect on the key values in your life:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6.68

2. To the West, consider what is dying off or should be let go:
”The old has gone...” 2 Corinthians 5.17

3. To the South, the things that give joy and sustain you:
”I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” Ephesians 3.16

4. To the East, the things that are new and developing:
”…the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5.17

2. Pilgrim Journey

“Set your heart on pilgrimage”, Psalm 84.5

During your journey, mediate on the Bible verses you are reading as you review and reflect on your thoughts and experiences.

Below are links to pages for the five Pilgrim Journeys. Each page begins with a Bible verse and prayers that lead into the meditation; there are then some closing prayers.

How long you spend is entirely up to the individual, and of course the meditations don't need to be completed on the same day.

If you would like more information about these journeys, or anything else, please email me at davidborrowdale54@hotmail.com

Dave