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.

Meeting the Mystic Trail

Dear Folks,

I have written in the past about how much I enjoy the beauty, ease and simplicity of Mystic Trail. Yes, this is all true, but I learned something new today. I learned it because I have decided to visit this trail for the next 21 days for special meditation. Since my intention was to go to meditate at a great spot overlooking a quiet valley of red rocks, I met an unexpected challenge.

I have been on this trail and its offspring so many times, I felt I could do it in my sleep. Well, I can't. This morning, I must have been a little sleepy. I was definitely distracted; thinking instead of mindful walking. When I say "thinking" I mean that activity in the brain where we roll something over and over again like a dung beetle, so that it grows in proportion and importance. I was awakened from this counterproductive cycle by a small row of flat stones. Hmmmmm. I had never seen those before. Usually, anything lying across a trail, be it stones or a log or sticks, indicates that you should not go any further. I looked up toward the rest of the trail and it seemed to disappear. The trail seemed to be leading down, away from the row of stones. But I was going up, wasn't I?

That's when I realized that I had gotten of the trail I was on. Instead of trying to forge ahead (which is what we do when we refuse to admit we are wrong) I turned around. Backtracked, retraced my steps. Oy veh! I was far off the trail. I didn't recognize any of the trees or stones or vistas. I can't believe I let myself get so caught up!

Well, I found my way back to the trail I wanted. I headed back toward the canyon. I had to laugh at myself when I looked at my watch. My time before work was running out. I only made it half-way to the canyon when I realized it was better to sit and meditate and then head back. That's what I did.

On the way back, I saw the slight turn on the trail which had taken me in the wrong direction. Very subtle. But even on this easy set of trails I learned, once again, the value of mindfulness. Clarity does not mean focusing on your concerns. Clarity is seeing the concerns in the context of the big picture. They are but tiny obstacles that will move or be moved in time. Effective action requires focus on inner stillness.

Peace and love,

Joseph