The Huckaby Spot

Here is a short video clip of the beautiful spot where I meditated. To learn more about my Huckaby Trail experience, please visit my previous post.

Day 9: I ♥ Huckaby Trail

Mr. Sedona's guidebook says that Huckaby Trail "has it all." This is so true. Beautiful and moderately challenging, there are an incredible number of views and habitats on one trail.

I started off a little slow this morning--legs a little weary, eyes a little sleepy. I did some Dahn Yoga Do In stretching at the trail head. It felt good, but I was still a little sluggish. The sun was not yet at its zenith, so it was a cool and gentle walk along my first half of the trail. At one point, I found the perfect resting spot, or so I thought. It was a flat rock at a point where the trail opened up toward the creek and valley below. It also had a nice vantage of Uptown Sedona and rock formations in that direction. I could hear the rush of the water and see the bridge upstream. There was a warm breeze blowing toward the water. I only sat for a short while. I marked it with my mind, to return and really enjoy the view.

From there the trail began to descend steeply toward the creek. When I reached the base there was a lush wall of oaks and pines and large leaf plants. Not what I expected. I knew I wouldn't make it to the end of the trail, but I would keep walking until I found a perfect spot for sitting meditation. And I found it--Shim Ki Hyul Jang (where the mind goes, energy follows). The creek was rushing over round stones to create a small, but powerful waterfall. There was an old fallen tree on the banks creating a picturesque setting and a perfect seat. Something about that little waterfall was attracting lots of birds. They kept diving and playing in the air just above the water. I felt I had a visual definition for the word "gambol." Higher above that spot Hawks were strangely flapping their wings. I really didn't want to leave this peaceful spot. The sound of the waterfall was perfect for deep breathing and meditation. The sun was shining bright, but the air was cool and invigorating like I had stepped into another season. I watched the birds for a while and then began the return journey.

The intensifying sun was bringing out the scent of the pine and this cheered me as I walked up and up the little switchbacks. The buckets of sweat began to flow from my head and lower back. I just kept looking forward and moving, breath by breath. Until I started seeing the panoramic vistas again. Worth a stop every now and then. Unfortunately, I was in such "go" mode, that I passed the special spot. A man with a bike was there waiting for his friend. I said "hello" but did not consider sitting down to take in the view. I realized this much later when I was at the top closer to the trailhead.

As usual, I saw lots of things on my return that I had missed in the beginning. The light had changed, my energy was more vibrant and alert and new life patterns were emerging (the lizards were out playing and hunting for food). But I made it to the top with a mind of total gratitude.

I was reflecting on the bounty of this place, how rich I felt to be there. The day before I had received phone calls from two of my dearest life long friends (one since 5th grade and one since my youthful adventures in Thailand). I felt so rich that I have these lasting relationships with such amazing people, that they have seen me grow and change and ground into my authentic self. Sensing the beauty of this place and reflecting on the love of friends took me to a thought of the essential generosity of mother earth. My connection to this planet is not merely aesthetic, but a sense that I am and will be well taken care of. I have my teacher to thank for that. His teachings and exercises have helped me transform a sense of suspicion and guardedness into one of acceptance. No matter what my circumstances, I know that I am loved and my dreams are attainable. I hope I can help other people experience this life perspective.

Day 8: Doe Mountain Trail

What a day, what a day! I started out with a trek up Doe Mountain. Both Mr. Sedona's guidebook and the Forestry map promised this would be a moderate hike. It was way better than that! Within a few steps, this trail was taking me vertical. As the trail progressed it got steeper and steeper. I was beginning to wonder if I had strayed onto the wrong trail. But it was a pleasant challenge, stimulating deep lung breathing. It was very exciting. And just as I was ready to keep going up and up, I met a couple who told me I was near the top. When I got to the top I reached a beautiful plateau. Slightly overcast skies and red rock mountain views all around.

There were a lot of little trails up there, but I stuck to the main trail. That is, until it let me to a large rocky ledge on the other side. It was breathtaking. First I sat in half-lotus, started Dahn Jon breathing. I relaxed my shoulders and did a little Brain Wave Vibration. After a while, I had to stand. The view was captivating. The ledge was flat enough and large enough, that I could see the edge and the large drop down, but I was safely far enough in to avoid falling. I started walking along this "edgy" path. It was amazing. I was able to "manage" that slight vertigo feeling you get when you look over the edge of a building or hill. Normally, it is a natural reaction to pull back when encountering this feeling. But I was conscious of the fact that I was safe and secure, with little danger of falling. So I watched and reflected on that feeling. It became invigorating and I started doing Hand Ki Gong. Then full Ki Gong. I was standing on one leg despite the illusion that the edge was near. I walked away with yong chon sparking the red stony ground. Jangsaeng walking was so natural.

It's a good life lesson. Sometimes we focus on feelings or even our limited perception of circumstances and let that take us away from the potential blessing in the circumstances. I think that experience really opened some energy points for me. On my way back, I encountered numerous Agave trees--funny that I didn't see them on the way up. And I felt little droplets of rain as sunlight beamed off far away mountains. Then the scent that arose was like nothing I had ever experienced. Maybe it was the soil, the combination of plants, the pre-rain atmosphere. I don't know, but I wish I could record it.

Yes there were wonderful views, but once again Sedona has showed me that beauty is a holistic experience!

Days 6 & 7: I SeeTrails Everywhere

 

Days 6 & 7: Hiking Everywhere

Since I started this Hiking Meditation, my eyes have shifted to see trails everywhere. Driving down side streets or dirt roads, I now notice trail markers that I had passed by before. I get really excited when I see these signs. Maybe how some people feel about a certain model of car or the one they own. I see trails everywhere. On Day 6 I found a trail that I have driven by probably over a hundred times. You have to pass it if you are taking State Highway 179 from Sedona to Interstate 17. I was on my way to Phoenix and stopped by the Ranger station on a whim. To my surprise I was greeted by a beautiful Datura bush. I said to myself "there must be a trail here." I took a deep breath and meditated on gratitude. Gratitude for the beauty of the Datura, gratitude for the cool of the morning, gratitude for the peaceful blue sky above. Then I saw it. It was facing the opposite direction, so I couldn't read it, but I knew it was a trail marker.

I took a convoluted path through some scratchy grass and saw the "Woods Canyon Trail" etched in rusted metal. Can you say "kid in a candy store?" I was so happy. I took a little walk and saw how it was leading through this deep green canyon. Full of Pinion and Juniper. Unfortunately, I had an appointment in Phoenix, so I could not stay on the trail very long. I made up my mind to come back soon.

While in Phoenix on the way to my appointment, I spied a couple of trails. I was happy to know that I will not run out of places to hike in Arizona. So, for Day 7 I got up early, around 5, and set out for an Urban Hike. Driving around we miss so much. I had never really taken this kind of time to see Phoenix. Actually, its sister cities Gilbert and Mesa were the site of my morning hike. I saw many beautiful flowers and fruits on trees. Some of the citrus were still there. I saw a very wide trail along the way with a lone runner filling the space. The air was surprising. We spend so much time in air conditioned environments, I hadn't really thought about the air in this city. At this time of day, there were few cars, so it smelled fresh. I could actually smell the flowers.

Later in the day, I came back to Sedona. Very happy to be here with these red rocks, beautful sky with the moon peaking through. I noticed even more trails along the way. That's how life's gifts work, they are always there waiting for us to recognize them.

Day 5 of Hiking Su Haeng

 

I was feeling better than yesterday, legs, hips all fluid and fine. I started out very early and headed for "Red Rocks Crossing." When I looked in the guide book and the information provided by the forestry department, this looked like a good place to go because so many trails meet up here. Also, there are views of the famous Cathedral Rock. Finally, it is one of the trails closest to where I live and the guidebook promised a short hike. I thought I would add time management to my practice today.

I walked along the banks of Oak Creek for many miles looking up at Cathedral Rock towering majestically ahead. There were so many paths, footprints and bicycle tracks that it was difficult to tell which was the true trail. Lots of little waterfalls and beautiful trees. It was a cool refreshing walk. Eventually I found a trail heading up. Somewhere along the way I had passed or missed any signs or cairns. I had no idea which trail I was getting on or where I was going. It was exciting. Each step I walked up the hill, pressing my yong chon to the red ground, brought a sense of adventure. The terrain and plants quickly changed. Soon I was back in the familiar open heat and scent of juniper and pinon. Large vistas opened up and I could see many rock formations. I saw cairns and people and I knew I was near Cathedral Rock. I saw signs that confirmed my suspicions. The signs also told me that I had been walking along Templeton Trail. Exactly where I wanted to be.

For safety's sake, I have pledged not to do any challenging hikes alone. So, I did not join the crowd of merry makers scaling Cathedral Rock. I was also really enjoying the quiet solitude of the red rocks below. Silence only broken by the scampering of lizards, or the occasional pant of Sedona hiking dogs. It also gave me space to enjoy the beauty of the Red Agave undisturbed. No bees this time, just a small group of birds feasting on the nectar which was visibly dripping from the flowers and glistening in the morning sunlight.I stood in front of it in Horse Rider Stance, doing Ji Gam and then Ki Gong. I felt powerful energy flowing from the Agave and sent it gratitude and love.

I returned to the trail energized and almost laughing. I saw the dogs again on the way back down. They also seemed to be laughing with their mistress. She told me be careful because they were wet. Very soon I reached the spot at the creek where they had been swimming. A little pool was created by big round stones and the roots of an upturned dead tree. Such a pleasant spot. I sat down on the roots of a living giant tree, resting under its shade, I began to meditate. The sound of rushing water filled my ears and relaxed my posture. I cleared my mind of all thoughts and images, focusing on the breath in my lower abdomen. When I opened my eyes sometime later, a world of amazing things I had overlooked came into view.

I saw tadpoles and little fish swimming in the creek. I saw Morning Glories and other flowers posing around the banks. I saw little trees pushing through the ground and beautiful stones polished by the rushing water. The oaks that seem like visitors from another world. I reflected on all of this and realized how much I had taken water for granted. I grew up in the Midwest where rivers and lakes seem too numerous to name. But here, one little creek is supporting a network of plants growing up into the sandy hills, thousands of people and animals. I have so much respect for all the work that little creek does. Here, not only is water precious, but so is this little body of water. I am also grateful that people have kept it clean and unfettered...

Just as I had intended, I returned by the Baldwin Trail. Great views of Cathedral Rock, interesting little forests and the sound of Oak Creek rushing by. It was a good hike!

2010-06-21 Day 4 Three Little Trails

Day Four: I was a little stiff in the legs and hips this morning. Good thing I took a combination of three trails that started out very flat and smooth. Little Horse Trail, Bail Trail and Llama Trail are all a part of a loop of trails north of Bell Rock. To make better time, I got up earlier this morning. Good thing, too. I started out on the trail well before the sun had reached full bake status. I am not kidding, either. Later when I was walking back to my car along the same path, I took my hat off and sweat poured off my head like there was a faucet.

Despite the stiffness in the beginning and heavy sweating in the end, I stayed cool and smiling. I relaxed my shoulders and breathed deeply, with a focus on my Dahn Jon. I began "Jang Saeng" walking. Discomfort passed and I greeted the beauty all around me. I was also privileged to be greeted by many rabbits near the entrance. One juvenile female ran in front of me, then kept looking back to see if I was following her. When I caught up to her, she just started nibbling on something green and looked at me with her right eye. It reminded me of times with my pet rabbit when I lived in Bangkok (another story entirely). After that I saw an adult male; he was as big as a tomcat, but he was not interested in me. He darted by me very quickly. Like the rabbit in Alice's story, he seemed to have things to do and places to be. Then I saw a tiny baby male nervously feeding on some flowers at the side of the trail. After that, they were rustling through the bushes around me until I reached an area with different foliage. What kind of meditation would have me "playing" with rabbits? I can only tell you that those rabbits were entertaining and joyful and I had walked a couple of miles without "noticing" my achy legs. By that time, circulation was moving and my legs felt fine.

I did a big loop with these trails and watched my mood change. The first trail I took ran close to the highway and I could hear complaints rising in my mind about the sound of the cars. When I climbed to a red rock clearing under the shadow of one of the noble gigantic rock formations, I even accepted the sound of someone's car alarm. It was too beautiful to spoil. The raised clearing faced Bell Rock. So I sat there and meditated, Brain Wave Vibration, and chanted the Chun Bu Kyung. I was singing by the time I got on the next path. I was treated to delightful views and wonderful flowers and trees. One tree in particular catches my eye whenever I see it. I have been calling it a "bee condominium" because those trees look like some futuristic building and they are often covered in bees. Here's a picture:



I learned later today that these are Agave trees. So amazing. I love agave nectar. No wonder the bees hang out there. I believe that most of the agave sold on the market comes from "blue agave," but the sight of those bees tells me that the "red agave" must be pretty sweet as well. My appreciation for the plant has grown, as has my gratitude for this sacred place.

2010-06-20 Day Three of Hiking Su Haeng

Fay Canyon Trail

I hope I don't sound redundant, but the hike along Fay Canyon Trail was a beautiful surprise. I was trying to find a different trail when I made the wrong turn off and ended up near Fay Canyon Trail and the "Secret Mountain" area. The Forestry Department guide said this was an easy trail with little elevation. I was a little disappointed at this news, but I quickly returned my brain to a state of gratitude. I just looked up at the giant red mountains surrounding the canyon and I decided I had a beautiful view before I even set foot on the trail.

Yes, it started out easy, but it felt special. There is some pinion forest on either side of dry creek beds, like a smaller version of what I saw on the Boynton Canyon Trail. And the smell....very sweet and flowery. The climate along much of the trail was refreshingly cool. The coolness reached its zenith when I approached a set of large stones in the dry creek bed, in which a mature Datura plant was growing. You can see her flowers at the beginning of this photo album. This seemed unusual to me because these plants usually grow near water--at the beach, on a river bank or in wetlands. I am thinking there must have been water recently in this stream. Actually, the spot where it is growing even smelled moist...

While walking and meditating, my mind and breathing became more relaxed. For some reason I began reflecting on fear of death. I see this as something at the root of many worries, indecision and loneliness. This fear, is firmly set within our amygdala; an alarm going off too often, like a smoke detector in a kitchen. But what is the point? Do we know what happens when we die? Is the fear actually staving off death? Do we even know what it means to stop breathing. If we were truly, consciously concerned about death, wouldn't we cherish every breath like fine gold? If we release this fear, overcome the default programming, we will not surely die. Eventually, yes. But it is something so inevitable and universal, that fear and worry are ineffective at changing the situation. No matter how much or little time we have, we have now. That is best spent, breathing, exhaling consciously. Getting to know and appreciate yourself. Being grateful to the Creator for this opportunity....

Life is beautiful. Every breath is a treasure.

Day 2: Carroll Canyon Trail

Today I took what seemed to be a very obscure trail. I hadn't heard anyone talk about it. Thanks to Sedona Monthly magazine I learned that it was a quiet trail with spectacular views. I was also intrigued by the fact that the magazine article described the area around the trail's entrance as "industrial". Having spent much of my adult life on the East coast, images that seemed incongruous with Sedona living kept passing through my brain.

Well, my imagination was far too active. This "industrial" area could pass for "suburban" in many parts of the country. Anyway, because the trail head was difficult to find, I got a chance to interact with several of the neighborhood residents. I got directions, warm greetings and dog smiles. Almost everyone I met was walking a dog or two. Even on the trail. Seems like dog heaven to me: low-traffic area with easy access to wilderness and chase-able animals.

I recognized something that didn't catch my attention before. Sedona residents have to be the friendliest hikers I have ever come across. Small town hospitality on the hiking trail. The positive connections with the people and their dogs was a wonderful start to my journey.

This trail starts out pretty humble and evolves into masterful views. There was also a continuing theme of dry stream beds. I passed so many, I couldn't tell which were part of the same stream. As I said yesterday, Sedona is a place where you can feel as well as see the beauty. Yesterday, it was the incredible trees and flowers. Today it was the dry stream beds. I don't know how long it has been since water flowed through these places, but I felt the flowing energy. At one point I had to stop and do Ki Gong. It was a wonderful floating feeling. I have never felt Ki Gong to easily and simply. My movements were so confident it seemed I was watching myself. Beautiful.

With fewer big trees, the sun was blasting me, but there was a little breeze that balanced things out as I walked. Especially, when I got to the top. I don't know what that ridge is called, but it was a picture-perfect view of some of Sedona's notable red rock formation. I sat down in awe, took a deep breath and began to meditate--brain wave vibration. Then I began to chant the Chun Bu Kyung. 81 "Chinese" Characters of Taoist text. Simple, numerical and powerful. I continued to chant as I descended the ridge until I reached a clearing with randomly sprouting Juniper and walls of big boulders. At that point I felt so elated by my surroundings and deep gratitude for this opportunity. I know hard scrabble trees, dry sandy soil and red rocks are not everyone's cup of tea. But I love these things and I feel spoiled with this abundance of beauty. In my excitement, I overdid it a little with the photos...

Day 1 of 21 Day Hiking SuHaeng

magical beauty all around us...

Today is the first day of my 21 Days of Hiking Suhaeng. I plan to do special hikes every morning for the next few weeks. Combination meditation, workout and adventure. Sedona is rich with beauty, but it is the type of beauty you feel as well as see. I am creating an opportunity to enjoy it more, while strengthening my body. My first hike was on Boynton Canyon Trail. I underestimated its length, but I really enjoyed the simple challenge. Within the first 10 minutes I felt energized. Incredible flowers delighted my eye, while the playful scampering of lizards entertained my ears. The birds were also intriguing, especially the hummingbirds. However, the thing that surprised me most was the ever shifting mini-climates inside the canyon. At one point I was under the shadow of a gargantuan red rock formation and I felt a coolness so deep I forgot I was thirsty. There were also little sauna spots that felt like pulsing radiation.

It was an enjoyable walk and I felt powerful warmth in my dahn jon (energy center below the navel and between 2nd and 3rd chakras). I am someone who endures frequent sinus pressures and allergy symptoms. But I walked out of that forest and off that trail today with super-clear sinuses and deep breathing. It was more than a walk, it was a healing experience. I felt so connected that I did some ki gong along the way, in precious spots along the path.... Of course, some may attribute these feelings to the nearby vortex. I don't doubt that, but I did not make it to the vortex today. The trail was longer than I had anticipated and I had to get back to the world of work and responsibility. Here are some glimpses....









views from Boynton Canyon Trail