Day 16: Bell Rock Trail

First of all, I will apologize for not having a photo of Bell Rock. Walking this trail took us up close to Bell Rock and I think the best photos are distance shots. What you have here is some views from or near Bell Rock. Also, my new friends from Denver who joined me on this morning's hike. Another special person joined me, but I didn't think she would appreciate me broadcasting her pic.

Anyway, it was a beautiful hike and we find a nice spot on Bell Rock to do a little meditation. It started out cool and shady until the sun rose high over our heads turning that spot into an oven shelf. The beauty about the sun and high altitude here; not matter how simple the trail, you are assured of a good workout with your reflection time.

We chose the Bell Rock Trail because it is a Vortex. Sort of a super-charged power spot of earth energy. Sedona has several,and it makes sense for anyone visiting Sedona to experience these areas for themselves. Bell Rock's energy is considered "Masculine" and oriented toward the future. Many people tell of receiving insights and ideas about their future. Generally, hopeful information. In the past, I can say that my body felt the effects of Bell Rock the most. I usually feel more energy in my Dahn Jon, my body feels stronger and lighter. Today, I felt joy and clarity. My heels were barely touching the ground on our return journey.

We enjoyed the scent of a coniferous bush with small white flowers. They smelled like cherries. I hadn't noticed them on the way up, but on the way back they seemed to be everywhere. We also saw the beautiful snake soaking up the morning sun. He allowed me to snap his photo...

My hiking companions saw a humming bird after our meditation, but I heard something that sounded like an Eagle's call. I heard it yesterday at Boynton Canyon, too. It sounded kind of like this...
Am I receiving a message from Eagle?

The eagle is symbol of the zenith.
A great reminder of your own ability to soar to great heights.

Eagles are messengers from heaven and are the embodiment of the spirit of the sun.
Eagle shows us that people with high ideals need to be able to spread their wings so they can reach for the stars. Eagle brings the gift of clarity of vision. As long as we follow our intuition we will be heading in the right direction.

Enchanted Boynton Canyon Trail

For Independence Day I decided that I should hike a Vortex trail. I chose Boynton Canyon Trail. This time, I was able to complete the journey to the trail's end.Click on the photo above for a link to a photo album of my hike.


This time, I moved more quickly along the trail. But that did not stop me from experiencing the magic and enchantment of this trail. They say this is the only Vortex that combines "male" and "female" energies. I know it's a very special place with a very special feeling. When I reached the top of the trail, I found a nice flat space for meditation.I started with Dahn Jon breathing, since the climb at the end almost winded me (high altitude climbing). Then basic sitting meditation, focusing on my breathing. After that, I moved into Brain Wave Vibration. It felt really great around my neck and shoulders. Sometimes Brain Wave Vibration takes you into deep meditation, theta wave zone. Often, it also relaxes small muscles and joints, which opens you up to deeper meditation. Today it was both for me. In this deeper relaxed state, I left my hands open on my knees. I began to feel warmth over the center of my palms. These are special pressure points called "Chang Shim." They are sometimes referred to as outer chakras. The warmth increased and my hands, wrists and arms grew more relaxed.

I finished my meditation by doing "Ji Gam" or energy meditation. As you breathe, you focus on the sensations of Ki energy on your hands. Moving the hands toward and then away from each other. Usually, we keep our eyes closed during Ji Gam since it helps maintain the concentration. However, I had the sense and feeling that I should open my eyes. When I did a gold hummingbird flew in front of my face and hovered near my left eye for about 30 seconds. I was so delighted that my Ji Gam practice felt powerful, substantial and expansive. Later as I walked back down the trail I kept seeing hummingbirds flying near me. A rare and special treat!

The photo album includes some of the views from my mediation spot, as well as interesting trees and great walls of red rock along the trail. I don't yet know what this experience has to do with independence, but I do feel that I gained some insight today about how I relate to people. How I did in the past and how I have changed. I am happy for where I have grown to, but I see room for improvement. I am grateful for the lesson.

Yesterday: Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge trail started with a nice gradual incline that led to some steep stone stairs about 40 minutes later. When I first saw the stairs, I thought they were beautiful and ingenious. More a stairway to heaven than to "Devil's Bridge." Well, I don't know who came up with the name, but I can tell you those stairs weren't so heavenly on the way down. The "bridge" itself was fascinating. I went out to the middle, I sat, I meditated and then admired the view. I have posted a few photographs.

I didn't cross the bridge though. The center felt solid but looked scary when taking in all that is below. I figured I could make it across, but I was worried about getting back. Later, when I hiked down under it, I noticed that there was a path to/from the other side. OK, I will have to come back again and take the challenge of crossing the bridge. There were other people hiking that day, and most of them did not bother to step on the bridge. I don't blame them. Even though it is kind of an optical illusion (it is not as far from the ground as it seems because it is on a slope), I understand that 90% of perception is emotional. Once fear enters the room, it's hard to see it as anything but a tiny piece of stone covering a vast chasm.It reminded me of one of the Indiana Jones films, where he was asked to walk over the edge of a cliff and such a stone bridge magically appeared under his feet. "Walk by faith and not by sight." I will remember it for my next visit here.

Many enjoyable and remarkable things along this trail, and I recommend a 4WD vehicle as transportation to the trail, including the fauna. The Sedona area lizards are curious and friendly and I always get some kind of greeting from them. At Devil's Bridge, they were beyond friendly---flirtatious! They were very comfortable around people, and stood still when I stopped to look at them. They were so still and patient that I decided to take some pics. There was one mating couple whose pic didn't turn out well. Anyway, if you ever visit this trail you can come see the world's friendliest lizards.

All in all, it was a fun journey and a good workout. While reflecting on my fear of crossing the bridge, I laughed at this opportunity to practice "the art of perception." That is the value of meditation and breathing practices. Learn to see the possibilities of life and not be fixated on emotions that color our perception. I am grateful for this little reminder lesson.

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Now playing: Janelle Monáe - Smile
via FoxyTunes

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!

Day 12: Rugged Beauty in Jacks Canyon

Now, if you were in your right mind, would you enter the trail after reading this sign? They might as well have said "Abandon hope all ye who enter here." Fortunately, I am not in my right mind. I am crazily committed to my SuHaeng practice. I had already invited the opportunity for challenging trails this week. So, I laughed at the sign and hoped my intuition was right.

Woods Canyon Trail led to Jacks Canyon Trail in the National Park. The path of this trail started out very covered with vegetation. Not a lot of visitors, I guess. Then it opened up into a wide dirt trail with frequent stones, flowers and bushes. This trail was not dramatic like the others I have visited, but the rugged beauty somehow touched my heart. I felt universal gratitude along this trail and everything felt intimate. I didn't plan on it, but this walk today became "Metta" Meditation. I was pleasantly surprised by the snake on my path and took it as a good omen. He didn't look well, but he was breathing and it looked like he was in the process of shedding his skin. Hmmm. Maybe this is the perfect trail to follow up on the Cathedral Rock vortex experience.

I didn't walk the full 22 miles (Oy vey!)But I did feel like it was a great place to camp. I hope to return and spend a whole day in the canyon. I am grateful for this rugged beauty. Some hawks were flying overhead, keeping track of my movement. I felt I was exactly where I am supposed to be...

Day 11: Spires of Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock is said to be the most photographed red rock formation in Sedona. It is iconic. My photos are from a less dramatic perspective than the iconic photos. For my second week of hiking I decided to try the more "challenging" trails--I feel much stronger. Cathedral Rock delivered on promises of challenge. My lungs and heart were working overtime. Once I got to the top it was more than exhilarating.

This was not my first time to climb Cathedral Rock. That was over two years ago when I first explored Sedona proper. I was with my friend and "dongki" John. It was a dramatic experience the first time. I later learned that this vortex has energy of the past, visiting, meditating in this place is said to help the release of elements of one's past. I really felt it that first time. A primal fear that I had been carrying around like a burden was lifted. I felt lighter and more hopeful. This time I wasn't focusing on the specific power of the vortex. I was enjoying its challenges and beautiful views. It was less intimidating than 2 years ago. I even took the continuing trail at the top this time. I was tempted to take it down the other side of the rock, but my time was limited.

I sat in a cool spot at the top, looking through tall needle-like stones onto the green valley below. This is where I meditated. Brain Wave Vibration. As I relaxed and meditated I felt my body cool down and I felt the peace of the natural shelter under these rocks. Red Rocks. Transmuting fire from the sun and beckoning people to feel the earth.

Unlike my other hikes, there were a lot of people. The parking lot was full, so I was concerned about how peaceful it would be. There was no cause for concern; the strenuous hike made everyone calm. I was surprised to see several families. In the end, I was happy to share the experience with my fellow travelers on the path.

Here's a song that was ringing in my brain as I hiked:

Stand
In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere

Stand
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal

Stand, stand, stand
Stand, stand, stand

Stand
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

Stand, stand, stand
Stand, stand, stand

Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense at all
Stand
Don't you know that you are free
Well at least in your mind if you want to be

Everybody
Stand, stand, stand
...

2010-06-27 Sacred Spaces

Click on this image to see a photo album with samplings from my Sunday, June 27th hike. I visited the ruins of ancient inhabitants of this area. Palatki and Honanki were settlements of people considered to be the ancestors of the Hopi. In addition to this cliff dwellings, people also lived along the lower ground as farmers of cotton, corn and fruit. It is assumed that the cliff dwellers were hunter gatherers that traded with the farmers. They all abandoned the area over 1000 years ago when a 23 year drought hit the area.

As a hike, it was not strenuous to visit these sites. But they are beautiful, sacred spaces. Especially, Honanki. I had the feeling that it was more ceremonial than simple shelter. In both places, I saw abundant bushes of Datura. They were even growing in places where it seems unlikely there was water flow. I heard that the recent wet winter created conditions for the sacred plant to grow in this area. I am glad that there are people who are committed to maintaining the dignity of these sacred places. I also took a picture of a tree with small, fluffy, yellow flowers. In most places, I see it as a bush or small plant, but in this area they are large, healthy trees. They are responsible for the incredible, sweet scent I have been encountering during some of my hikes.

I also hiked on nearby Loy Canyon trail. It was quiet and absolutely empty, with signs that relatively few people had been on this trail. I considered it a capital E-easy hike. But the forestry guide says it is "strenuous." Maybe because it is so long (10 miles round trip) and the area is extra dry. A guide at Palatki said the area is so dry that the flies attach themselves to people for moisture. At Loy Canyon, I encountered many fly companions who wanted to share my moisture. Especially since I was sweating so much in the heat. At one point, I sat in the perfect spot on a large stone in a dry stream bed. As I made deep exhales, I looked down at my legs. They were completely swarmed by tiny little flying insects. Their numbers made the flies seem timid. I thought about Elizabeth Gilbert's experience in "Eat, Pray, Love" where she gained deeper insight allowing the mosquitoes to bite her while she meditated. These little creatures barely touched me so, I was convinced I could do it. I lasted about 2 minutes. The sounds and the feeling of a cloud moving around my legs was disconcerting and strongly distracting. I admitted defeat and took of my virtual hat to Ms. Gilbert--a better man than me. I resumed walking meditation and the company of a few flies.

My failure to endure the little bugs became amusing as I walked. I laughed at myself and began to sing and pray joyfully. Every lesson is a gift. Beautiful gold flowers brightened my path; a golden butterfly darted in front of me. This too is a sacred space.