Opportunity Presented

Made an early morning trip to a trail not far from my house. Since it was one of the first areas I explored on my own, it holds a special place in my heart. I find something new every time I return. This time, I found a side trail that was a quick vertical ascent. It brought me to a beautiful ridge facing the rear of Cathedral Rock.

I walked along the edge of the Mesa until I found a space that was "just right." Like that Goldilocks planet that was in the news recently. The right conditions for life. At least for me, at that moment. I stretched a little and did some deep breathing to release tension from my body.

As I sat down and did Brain Wave Vibration meditation, I remembered what Cathedral Rock is supposed to represent. It is an important feminine vortex that heals or helps you with energy from your past. I relaxed my shoulders and meditated; thoughts flooded through my mind and I realized how much I needed to be here. It was time to let go of some patterns that kept getting reflected in my relationships and actions. Time to change the lens I had been looking through. It was time to change the theme song I was working with.

The first time I approached Cathedral Rock, it was a momentous climb. My friend and I each faced and released an old fear. That climb taught me, experientially, how one step beyond the limits of our fears can bring immense freedom and opportunity. Before I took that step, I focused on what was not possible. After that step, I began to see "impossible" as a fluid concept. Years later, I have learned to practice letting go, passing through the boundaries of the possible, recognizing my reality as a mirror.

So, I looked at myself as I meditated, spine aligned and head open to the sky. I saw what I was re-creating and made the choice to change. I know this is not easy to do, even if we choose in our minds, it may be difficult to take action. That's where I have faith in the power of our lives as metaphor. After my meditation, I put on some music and did Ki Gong and Dahn Mu; I danced my new choice. I took action on my new outlook. And the beautiful red earth bore witness.

This trail, my special trail is called Baldwin Trail. I do not know who it was named after. However, I cannot help but think of the great American literary pioneer, James Baldwin. Not that he was ever literally in this spot. But that the deep soul searching reflected in his writing is similarly invoked on this trail.

Descending to the main trail, I remarked at how subtle that turn-off was and how I "should" have followed the large cairns nearby. Powerful distraction, this soul searching. I happened upon a young woman carrying a baby on her back, wandering along the side trails. She commented on how easy it is to lose the main trail here. I responded that each side path offers so much beauty, that nothing is "lost." We both smiled and I took the trail back to its origin while she followed a side path into a pine forest.

On Top of Boynton Canyon

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. So beautiful,I woke up long before my alarm went off. I guess it was the hills calling again. So I packed up my little pack and headed out to the edge of town. The drive down Dry Creek Road was exciting. I felt like a kid heading off to Summer Camp. When I got there I decided to head straight for the trail, without changing into my boots.

I only had a short time, and this is a very long trail. So, I took the shortcut to the top, near the beginning of the trail. The sun was rising high and so were my spirits. There is one main trail up there that is well marked and wide. It's where the tourists were heading. But I spied with my little eye, numerous other trails leading over the ridge or into the trees. I took one and walked until I found a big comfortable boulder (excuse the oxymoron). There I sat down to meditate.

Before I got started, though, I realized I leaned into a big cactus when I sat down. I laughed at myself and decided that removing the needles from my shirt would be the start of my meditation. Yes, anything can be a practice in mindfulness. It really was a good exercise for focus. After that I sat as still as the stone I was sitting on. A light breeze blew by me and shook the leaves on the alien looking tree (see the photo where leaves and branches are blended together). I admired its beauty and its resonance with the breeze. I felt the heat of the sun, and it felt like pure power. Yes, the weather is cooling off and I am gaining a new appreciation for the sun. How much life it generates, how generously it shares its energy. I felt its rays shining through my hat, my clothes, my sun screen--it is after all, only a screen.

Remembering the beauty and bounty of life on this planet was a great way to start my week. Grateful for the oneness!

Back on the Trail

Today I finally made it back on the trail after nearly two weeks. It was wonderful to be outside in the cooling autumn air. I thought of that Cole Porter tune,"You'd be so nice to come home to..." Yeah, this place feels really alive to me, almost personifying nature for me. I feel that once people spend time connecting with nature we develop a different sense of ourselves and our relationships. This may sound like the zeal of a convert, but I have been a nature boy all of my life. Only now am I expressing it from my heart.

I decided to approach the magnificent Cathedral Rock (part of which is seen in the photos above). But instead of doing that heart jolting vertical climb, I took a circuitous path around its base. Templeton Trail, it's called. I climbed to the back half of the trail twice before, but had not seen this portion. I was captivated by the beautiful combination of stark dry stone and lush pine forest. I felt like I was transported to another planet.

I spent some time meditating in the middle of a wide stream bed--mostly dry. It created its own mysterious path. If I had more time, I could have spent the whole day out there. Thankfully, I captured the memories in my heart and on my Blackberry. I hope you can get a sense of this special beauty. I am happy to be back where endless trails of beauty await me. But I have to say this place has given me a better eye for beauty. It has helped me see it more clearly. So I can be sure that I will not run out of inspiration while my feet are on this earth.

Peace and beauty,

Joseph

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Now playing: Margaretha Evmark - You'd be so nice to come home to
via FoxyTunes

Reflections From The Ground Up

My true meaning and worth are shown to me not in my estimate of myself, but in the eyes of the one who loves me; and that one must love me as I am, with my faults and limitations, revealing to me the truth that these faults and limitations cannot destroy my worth in their eyes; and that I am therefore valuable as a person, in spite of my shortcomings, in spite of the imperfections of my exterior ‘package.’
Thomas Merton

I am reflecting with gratitude on my life as I rest in the man-made-maze that is New York City. Beautiful place with a sometimes ugly face. I love it, this return visit is wonderful. It feels like home, but it also feels a bit uncomfortable. Like a favorite high school sweatshirt that is now way too tight. My sense of space has changed after walking in the canyons of Sedona. The streets, the buildings, the people, and even the air can feel a little too close. Maybe I am just recognizing for the first time what had always been there. It doesn't matter. It does not change the fact that I love this place. Like Thomas Merton's reflection, these faults and imperfections do not destroy the worth of this city in my eyes.

On Saturday, September 11, I saw some people memorializing and some people ignoring, what had happened to the spirit of this city nine years ago. A dark time, a time of change, a time for a new sense of community....I don't think many people talk about the new city that emerged from those ashes. Not just a phoenix. No, a stronger metaphor is the column of twin lights I saw rising up into the clouds Saturday night. A symbol of bright hopes and aspirations. A sense that what we are capable of is beyond the limits of our institutions and traditions.....ascending.

I am reminded; yes, I am grateful, that I remember where I was on that day. That I have heard incredible tales of survival, that I feel the sense of incredible loss. That I am aware, despite our public petty moments of fighting, blaming and shaming, that we are all valuable parts of this whole. We are all loved and capable of love. The most terrible acts we commit can either hide this truth or be a vehicle of its revelation.

I hope other people saw those lights.

Love,
Joseph

for more 911 light images visit
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/tributeinlight/pool/interesting/

Libations

I am starting this day with gratitude. This beautiful rock makes me think of a grandfather. Strong, centered and looking at everything from a higher perspective. I admit I have an idealized image of a grandfather because I never got to meet either of my grandfathers. One had died long before I was born, and the other died while I was just a toddler. Both had strong impacts on my life.

Even though I never met them in the flesh, I had many consistent reminders about them in my life, and so I know that they helped to shape the man I have become. I think about them on this "Labor Day" because I know that men and women like them worked hard to create the choices we may take for granted. We can choose to rest or work or travel on this day. We can choose where we want to live. And even in this strained economy we have some say in where and how we earn our living.

Both of my grandfathers were communicators. One was a soldier and a gifted musician. From what I heard, he had a way with words, of making his reality seem better than it was. From what I heard, it paid off for him in the end, he died having created the material comfort and security he lacked in his youth. He also put his wandering nature to good use by serving in the military. I am grateful that I inherited some of his traits and learned to make peace with them.

My other grandfather was also a wanderer. I don't know what kind of relationships he formed, I definitely do not know the full story. I know my grandmother really loved him and had seven manifestations of that love. I know he was sometimes a healer, sometimes a preacher, sometimes a trickster, sometimes a romantic, never boring. He spent his life surrounded by people, he was sought after, but he died alone. From him I have learned an appreciation of my gifts, to enjoy my extroverted nature, to be open to the new, but also a valuable lesson about appreciating family and friends.

Through both of my parents, I was given secret coded messages about their disappointments with their fathers, but also the child's sense of fascination. I don't think the "super hero" admiration of one's father truly fades. My own maturity has helped me ferret out the love and joy that are natural components of my grandfathers' legacies. My own growth has awakened in me a willingness to be the voice for their unspoken prayers, the hands for some of their unfinished work and the feet to extend their journeys.

I honor them with love and gratitude. Libations from my heart.

Training on the Mystic Trail

I am writing for several days worth of hiking here. The Mystic Trail has proven to be quite a treasure. From the entrances it looks like a nice neighborhood walking path. I see a lot of local people in the morning bringing their dogs. But if you follow the trees with heart shaped rocks in them (instead of cairns) you will find wonders.

I have really fallen in love with the canyon that can be found off of this trail. On Monday, I went farther along the rocks to explore it. Unlike the other canyons I have visited in this area, this canyon is reached from above. I haven't yet gone far back enough to climb down into the canyon. One local woman showed me the trail, but I know I will need at least an extra hour to get down there and back. I have found a nice plateau of rocks (they look like frozen lava) where I like to train. The peace and quiet of overlooking this canyon is a great atmosphere for meditation, ki gong and other energy training.

Today I followed a side path up to a tall thin outcrop of rock. It had been attracting my attention the last few times I hiked here. I felt a strong peace and protection up there and gained another view of the beautiful canyon below. Committing to hike here for 21 days is a good thing. I am starting to notice important things and I feel like I am establishing a relationship with the land. The weather is starting to change, cool breezes are softening the glare of the desert sun. The breezes carry the scent of those "cherry blossom"like conifers. I wish I knew what they were. New flowers are appearing. They look like little daisies and chamomile. There are also some tiny violets sprouting up in many places. I have also noticed more of the cliffs and drops below my path, taking more care as I travel.

Maybe it's the weather, maybe it was my timing, but I seemed to encounter more animals now than before. On Monday I saw a young buck with new horns. I am seeing ground squirrels and many rabbits--one curious enough to stop and eat in front of me today. In addition to the crazy desert quail, I am seeing more bluejays, smaller hawks and small birds that move too quickly for me to recognize.

I am grateful for this special time in the morning in this special place. Focusing on dahn jon and yong chuns, my lower abdomen and centers of my feet, I feel healthier and livelier with each step. Each step is a blessing.