Singing at Jim Thompson Trail

Yesterday, I took my morning hike at Jim Thompson trail. It is about a five minute drive from the center of Sedona, but it truly feels like another world. I started out with gratitude and wonder; still thinking about my hike at Long Canyon. The strong sent of juniper here reminded me of the incredible scent at Long Canyon--it was an overwhelming combination of hyacinth and myrtle. It was everywhere and I could not find the source. It was so omnipresent I began to think it was the soil.

Walking in the current reality at Jim Thompson helped me realize that it had to be a combination of plants unique to that canyon. So I walked and reflected, walked and smiled, walked and listened to the birdsong, walked and felt the strength of my own legs, walked and breathed in deep, powerful circles. I was in such a mood to walk that I barely rested a minute when I got to a big flat rock, perfect for sitting. I walked until the earth energy seeped through my feet, up my legs into my belly and gave me song.

There was really no one there and the valley had amazing acoustics. It was fun to hear myself sing. I know you are wondering what I was singing, so I will tell you. An old gospel/spiritual song that used to make me laugh as a child. I considered it so "old-timey" that it was a great source of gigglement for me and my brother. It is called "O' Mary Don't You Weep" For some reason, as an adult, I feel that song! I can feel the power and encouragement of every word.

At first it was just ringing over and over again in my head. Then I did Ki Gong on another big rock and the Earth energy was humming through me. I immediately started singing the line "if I could, I surely would, stand on the rock where Moses stood." After that, I couldn't stop singing the whole song again and again. I was reminded how the old folks used to get so moved by their songs, when they had no musical accompaniment. I suppose I am one of them, now. Thank you!

Not something I planned to do, but I would do it again. And I would recommend it to others. "Singing Ki Gong." By the time I left that trail, I felt like I was roller skating back to my car. I am sure the melody and minor keys are powerful healing for the brain and the body, but I think those words really lifted my spirit. So simple. "O' Mary don't you weep, tell Martha not to moan...Pharoah's army drowned in the Red See. O' Mary don't you weep, tell Martha not to moan." The biggest threat you face in life can miraculously disappear. So don't worry. You are protected.

That's how I interpret it, anyway. Maybe all those trees and mountains were reminding me that the true source of peace is my awareness and assurance that this Universe is on my side. For this message, I am grateful. For my singing Ki gong, I am grateful. For another day of life, I am grateful.