Dragon at Heart

It is a new year, both solar and lunar. A time to move beyond reflections and reflexes, a time to branch out with courage into the new. I am glad that this is a dragon year. In some legends, a dragon is an old snake who earned a large pearl of wisdom, gathered and amassed during the many changes of skins, to ignite a deep transformation into a creature of all elements. Breathing fire, flying through the air, swimming in the water....it's a great metaphor. Incredible potential lies within, if we accept our life lessons, disappointments and pains as equal to our joys in leading us toward transcendence.

And I meditate on the power and simplicity of the stream flowing somewhere in the desert. Life is ever moving.....

Return to Mystic Trail

On Sunday and Monday I paid return visits to Mystic Trail. Small, quick, conveniently beautiful Mystic. The trail with lots of happy energy. I chose this trail because of time constraints on Sunday. I returned again on Monday because I was excited about how much ground I could cover in a short time and I wanted to explore some more.

I had discovered some tributary trails. Namely, one trail leading toward the top. On Sunday, I was only able to ascend part of the way. On Monday, after Ki Gong in the park, I was joined by a new friend. We found that the tributary did not take us to the top, but took us deeper in the mountain of rock formations. Spectacular scenery with super-size views. And we returned before we could follow the trail to its conclusion. Maybe this is where it meets up with some of the larger trails in the area.

I hope you enjoy the photos. With the onset of the Monsoon, it's a little cloudy and the quality of light in the morning is harder to balance. This trail is certainly full of energy. My heart was lifted and reverberated with joy, especially after the post-Ki Gong hike. I felt connected to and supported by the earth like never before. My legs, hips and lower back felt solidly grounded--a physically empowering feeling, which made my heart feel light.

I think the energy of the full moon might have boosted this feeling. Before the sun came out, I saw the full moon floating above Cathedral Rock as I drove along the highway. All the Datura bushes along the way were standing at attention to the moon.
The scent of the Pinion and Juniper rolled up from the ground like a furnace blast. These phenomena filling my senses.

My Monday morning co-hiker brought me down to earth from my dreamworld by pointing out how some people were not living lightly on this land. At one point, some neighborhoods and the highway were visible below the trail. He told me about the blight or extra pressure introduced by some of these houses. Many of them luxury dwellings with un-ecofriendly swimming pools and extreme air conditioning. At another point he showed me a bunch of sightseers who may have been brought into that valley by 4 Wheel Drive Tour operators. He said there were places where the rocks had become black from the repeated assault of the vehicles. It made me think, if we can't get this kind of thing in balance here, in Sedona, it will be difficult for people to adopt a gentler lifestyle in our urban areas. But fear not, Paradise is not lost. There are plenty of opportunities for people to build and think differently around this special land. Maybe the economic downturn has slowed real estate development to a more contemplative place. Maybe the friends of the earth have a stronger voice in this community. Maybe earth friendly design has become a premium selling point, like the now mainstreamed idea of organic food. Maybe...

I will keep my eyes open as I smile. I will enjoy the journey and share my findings with you. Have a blessed day!

Day 17: Another Look at Cathedral Rock

I will take this opportunity to express my gratitude.

For the beautiful rocks, trees, flowers and flowing water. I am also grateful for the people who tend to these trails. They are the cleanest trails I have ever hiked. I know there is a corps of dedicated volunteers and Forestry personnel who make a big difference for the rest of us. Some of the stairs and stones look impossibly placed and some are appear so natural I did not notice them. I am also grateful to the visitors who are respectful and kind.

This is my second time on this trail; this time with company. I felt its energy more deeply this time because of my hiking companions. My cousin Sean and his partner Jenn (she is family, too). They are wonderful people with whom I have shared some magical times. Which brings me to another expression of gratitude. I have a lot to be grateful for, but I am most extremely blessed with family. I am lucky enough to be related to people who I would otherwise choose as my friends.From siblings to cousins, aunts and uncles (may they rest in peace)I am a rich man!

I cannot miss a chance to express gratitude for my life-healing work and my wonderful colleagues--like brothers and sisters. I am living my dreams because I made the choice to recognize my own value, love myself and be of service to others. No matter what misinformation is propagated, I know from my own experience that I am surrounded by loving people.

I am so grateful for the water. It felt really cleansing today, just to walk by it, to stop and stare. It kept most of the trail cool and made the rising sun feel refreshing rather than oppressive. Such a small, but powerful body of water. It's beauty feeds so many plants, animals and people for miles around. I hope living in the desert is helping me to appreciate this precious resource more.

The flowers and trees along this path are so numerous and incredible. I only captured small elements of this natural garden. Of course, I was happy to see Sacred Datura. I noticed a little island where the creek widened. It was full of Datura bushes. Someday I will go back to that island and meditate.

Cathedral Rock was really beautiful from this vantage point. I really reflected on what that Vortex represents. I remembered how it helped me to notice and release a long held fear 3 years ago. So this time I approached it with gratitude, expecting nothing. Inhaling the scents of the trail, especially the water. I remembered the power of breathing. When we exhale, we release our solitary nature and momentarily regain our oneness with all of creation. And many beings are fed by our exhalation.

With gratitude, I saw this beauty as if for the first time. Like the rushing water, gratitude is cleansing. Like the blossoming flower it is an opening to abundance. Like the magical red rocks it is the supportive and fertile ground for our dreams. I am blessed.

I would also like to thank you for reading my blog and joining me on this journey. I appreciate your feedback and comments. I appreciate your support and I hope that you can share in my blessings. Walk in beauty, my friends.

Day 13: Wonders of West Fork Trail

Wow! I hope these photos do a good job of giving you a taste of the beauty on West Fork Trail. It is generally an easy walk, but I enjoyed the trail's criss-crossing of the stream. It was fun finding stones and old logs to walk on. Also, this morning two of my friends joined me on the hike. I think this was a more appropriate hike for friends than an uphill challenge. Having three sets of eyes and ears allowed us to enjoy many little natural wonders that I might have overlooked on my own.

It was cool with all of the trees and the flowing creek. We commented on how our pre-existing ideas about Arizona were disintegrated. Funny, when I first visited this area, I saw desert everywhere. By the fifth or sixth time, I could see that we were in the middle of a forest. West Fork Trail takes that vision to a new level. Very lush.

Walking with companions created a different sense of focus. Today I constantly kept my attention on my Dahn Jon and felt the effects in my hips, legs and feet--the power of Ki energy flowing down. I also felt loving energy flowing up from the earth and blowing through the grand and beautiful trees. So many flowers shining like stars kept hope aglow as I walked. My heart is so grateful!

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 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!