Ascension on Sterling Pass Trail

Ascension

I woke this morning from a dream
a dream of ascension
a dream of time with Mother Earth
observing the grace and patience,
the loving care and compassion
focused on me in a single ray
of light, of love
the lesson that love is not bounded
by time, nor hindered by space
I saw the need for me to express
and acknowledge the gifts of love
I walked through a burnt out forest
and saw life rebounding in dazzling color
climbing to the clef in the mountains
rising with the wind
I hear the echoes of my heart
the sighs of trees
the call of ravens and larks
I rise to the occasion of
the triumph of beauty
I meditate and chant
the songs of heaven
my body is one with the earth
my ascension occurs within

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!