The Sedona Experience – Part II

After two fabulous days soaking in the Sedona magic I asked “what else can lie ahead?”  Well the red rocks answered me.  They said “more than you could imagine.”

  Saturday morning the group was to meet at a restaurant named The Coffee Pot at 7:00.  Our plan was to drive over to Boynton Canyon in tandem.  Boynton Canyon is on the other side of Sedona and our trip coordinator wanted to make sure that everyone found their way.

  My new found friend picked me up at my hotel at 5:40.  We planned on getting to the restaurant by 6:00, having breakfast and being ready for the 7:00 departure time.  Needless to say there was not much traffic on the road at 5:40 am! On our second full day and I was full of excitement and anticipation.  However, as we were driving my stomach was marching to the beat of a different drum.  It was twisting, turning and flipping!  I broke out into a sweat and at one point almost ask my friend to pull the car over.  I thought this cannot be happening to me!  Breathe deep…slowly, release, and let it go.  Once again, and again.  Think calming thoughts.  No, you can’t get sick now, it is not allowed! 

  Thankfully, all of my mental medicine paid off!   We arrived at the restaurant in the same state that we left the hotel.  When we walked into the Coffee Pot we immediately recognized the table of five sitting before us.  It was the part of our group from Northern California.  With encouragement and their welcoming arms we pulled up a few chairs and joined in.   

  I scanned the menu for something on the bland side.  As much as I love the southwestern spicy cuisine, it was not going to compliment my sour stomach….finally listed right after the biscuits and gravy; there it was a good ol’ New York bagel….or as close as I was going to come to it.  That is what I ordered along with a coffee that I gingerly sipped.  The funny thing was that I was not the only one battling with a topsy turvy stomach.  Two other women were feeling the same thing.  It wasn’t as if we had eaten any of the same things in the last twenty four hours, it must have been something else.  Maybe our upset stomachs were a result of all of the red rock energy that we were digesting.

  After a nice breakfast and some getting to know you time the rest of our group had arrived.  We carpooled to Boynton Canyon. The sun was making its way upward to take its designated place and it was shining brightly as it reflected against the deep blue, blue sky. There were strips of wispy clouds that looked much like cotton candy that made their way above us just to showcase how deep the blueness was that resided above.    As we drove into the canyon the clouds settled adjacent to the rocks as if to now accentuate the features of the red rocks.  Were the clouds acting as our own Vanna White, pointing out the importance of the message that was in front of us? Once again I stood in awe as I gazed upward and inhaled the magnificence around me.  I felt so small and insignificant, but at the same time, important because in my heart of hearts I knew I was meant to be at this spot at this moment.

  The canyon had a defined path that led upward toward a plateau that was anchored on either side by two tall rock formations.  One was connected to the massive red rock mountain; the other was like a light house that illuminated the way.  It was a structure standing on its own, a welcoming pillar against the blue sky.  While standing below on the tailored path I could not imagine that we were venturing to that spot above.

  While we walked I continued snapping pictures.  I wanted to commit to memory the abundant beauty and amazement around me.  Years from now when this memory of mine starts failing and skewing the facts, at least I will have the pictures to remind me and show me the truth!  As we had stopped at a location along the path I snapped a picture of the brilliant sunshine ahead.  One of the things that I have been realizing is that the soil upon the path that I have been walking in my daily life does not feel comforting, welcoming or quite right any more. However that being said, I am not sure which path will provide the homey feeling that I am looking for.  When I looked at this particular picture on the computer later that night I was amazed at what I saw.  It was another magical Sedona message.  The purple streak at the bottom of the sun filled in the dirt path with purple light.  This is the path that I need to venture upon.

  For the most part the climb was easy, the incline gradual, that was until we got closer to the top.  The grade became steeper and the terrain rockier.  Once again as much as I wanted to look up at my targeted location, it was best to keep my head down and focus of each step.  Slipping and sliding into one of the many cacti that lined the path would not be fun at all!!

 Eventually, we reached the top of the rock. Once again Mother Nature graced us with abundant beauty.  The view was beyond breathtaking.  As I gazed around I felt as if I was part of red rocks and I knew that at that moment they were permeating my being.  Looking down I was awe struck at where I was compared to where I had started. The distance great that measured with a degree of difficulty.  Much like my life I thought. Just like the previous days in Sedona there was no place else in the world that I would rather be at that moment.  It was perfect, pure and sacred.

  We spent about an hour up on that plateau.  We enjoyed the views, soulful conversations and music full of meaning that had been loaded to our MP3 players.  We talked of our inner child.  The one within that laughs just because they feel like it and cries because they are moved to.  It is important to connect to that inner child to understand from which we came.  That inner child still lives within. If you listen closely you will realize that it is the deep part within us that lives in freedom, even when we don’t in our waking lives. 

  It was a perfect morning…..or so we thought!  Just as our group was getting ready to begin our decent down the mountain of vibrant red rocks we were bestowed with yet another gift.  The sweet sound of Indian flute music began.  The notes bounced from each rock and went directly to our hearts. Clean, clear and meaningful we were in Mother Nature’s Cathedral, and with each note we were enjoying her simple and pure symphony.

 Much to our amazement a gentleman had climbed to the very top of the “light house rock”.  He appeared to be sitting inches from the blue sky; as close as you can get to heaven in this earthly life without entering it, but bestowing an unimaginable gift upon us.  If the trip coordinator had tried, she could have not planed an event to be executed so timely and perfectly.   We all stood absolutely still for the fifteen minutes he played his instrument.  There was nowhere to go and at that moment, nowhere we would rather be.

  Eventually we did make our way back down the red rock mountain.  Our surprise guest musician joined us.  He was welcoming and gracious with sharing his knowledge and wisdom.  He even took us to a secluded area where a medicine wheel had been constructed.  What a tour guide delivered with love from above!!

  After this hike one of our group mates said that they were going to have lunch at a particular restaurant if anyone wanted to join in, and join in we did! We had all but one of the group stop by.  The destination was a small outdoor café.  Now you are probably thinking much the way that I did……outdoors, Sedona Arizona at noon time?  But it was perfect and very comfortable.  It was a unique place that also housed an art gallery of sorts.  Our group overtook the outside dining area.  And even with their small kitchen it did not matter how long the wait was for our food.  It was once again about the experience.  Conversations flowed, pictures were shared and connections enhanced. That is until I knocked over the appetizer of one of my new found friends…or I thought, a former friend.  Well as bad as I felt for my mistake this woman could not have, been more gracious.  Another lesson, let go of it all.  It was an accident, and in the grand scheme of things…..this misstep is very insignificant!!

  After lunch our plans were made to meet at the Frank Lloyd Wright Chapel.  I picked up my friend at four thirty.  We didn’t want to be late for our five o’clock meeting time!  Of course not knowing where we were going or the parking patterns we parked at the very bottom.  The Chapel was built within the red rock mountain above.  We walked and then walked some more.  It is so comforting when you are in the company of someone who doesn’t get upset that you parked in the lower, well, very lower lot.  They just say “It is absolutely fine. Now we get to see the views from all angles.” 

  So as we approached the Chapel there was a small fountain.  I could see that some folks had used it as a wishing well.  There were many coins within and around the fountain.  So I dug my hand into my wallet and removed a few coins.  Now my friend and I had discussed our favorite numbers.  Mine are eight and eleven.  Hers is eleven for sure.  With all the loose change I had within my wallet, without looking, I pulled out four coins.  Two dimes and two pennies, twenty two cents and twenty two divided by two is of course eleven! So we each had eleven cents, our favorite number to make a wish upon!  We tossed in the coins along with our wishes and held onto the moment.

  The Chapel was built within the rock, so behind it was a huge rock formation that seemed to hold the Chapel within its womb.  We entered the Chapel and as soon as we did I was overtaken by the presence of my Grandmother.  This was my Fathers Mother who had passed in June of 1992.  Tears started to well within my eyes.   She was one of the great ones….a pure spirit who lived her life with grace.  Several years ago when I was going through a particularly difficult time, it was my Grandmother who sent the message that she understood me and heard me.

   I also felt the presence of my Mother-in-law.  Now, I know many people don’t understand this because “Mother-in-Laws” are perceived to be “evil”, but my Mother-in-Law was my friend and my champion. She “got me” in more ways than you can imagine.  It was told to me that she was giving me permission and blessings to take this trip, even though her son, my husband wasn’t.  So it did not surprise me that these two very strong women made an appearance this day.  Both of these women were reverent and devout in their beliefs. And I knew that both of them were cheering me along and encouraging me on this journey of self-discovery.   That afternoon I lit two candles in the Chapel, one each to honor each of these amazing women who continue to light my path.

  So before the rest of our group arrived my friend and I went downstairs to the Chapel Gift Shop.  It contained so many beautiful things; crosses, religious medals, Christmas ornaments and books.  I happened to a small rack and picked up a pocket type book called “One-day-at–a–time Therapy.”  It had a cute drawing of elves on the front of it.  I opened the book to page number eight.  The message read, “Be patient with your child within.  The child has much to discover.”  Now, not only is the number eight the favorite number of our trip coordinator, the energy intuitive, she spoke extensively this morning about honoring our “inner child”!  Was this a coincidence…..or a message? I purchased two copies. One copy each for the event coordinator and for me.

The red rocks served as a back drop for the Chapel.  They were full of life and imagery.  In them, when you looked close you could see a dolphin and an eagle. Of course when you looked to the right there was the rock formation that had Mary holding Jesus and surrounded by guards for comfort and protection.   As our group convened and we settled into this most sacred space another magical Sedona message appeared.  Against the bluest of skies and slightly above the red rocks appeared a cloud…..a perfect heart shaped could!!!!  With our logical minds we think, how can this be happening.  But when we listen to our souls, we know exactly why it did! The group was to re-convene at 8:00 at Bell Rock for a full moon gathering. 

It was now five forty five.  As others disbursed, we sat upon the bench that outlined the Chapel and listened to a playlist of song both modern and classical that honored Mother Mary.  During this time the purest and clearest of thoughts and intentions came to life.  It was an unbelievable way to share, but yet enjoy our own experiences.  We both kept gazing above at the blue, blue sky, the clouds that told stories and the sun that wished to solidify and bond the experience.   Rich, spiritual, moving and amazing should be the words to describe the experience, but honestly, they all fall short, extremely short…….the peacefulness and oneness felt at that moment goes beyond any words that I can  imagine formulating……………….

  Really not wanting to leave, but knowing that the clock was working against us, my friend and I made our way down the mountain from the Chapel.  We chatted the whole time.  Our souls enriched by what we had just experienced.

 We decided to grab a bite for dinner, but for our quick bite we ended up at an elegant restaurant that had an outside patio for dining.  Of course we asked for outdoor seating.  We were continually drawn not only to the beauty that was contained within each other, but also the red rock beauty that surrounded us.  Our table was perfect.  Outside and at the same time encased within Mother Nature’s stage.  Our twenty something waitress was enchanted with us.  Two middle aged women, having a wonderful time, soaking up all of the goodness and life around us.  And she rewarded us with very full glasses of wine!!!  Thank you Universe!!  The food to the palette was as vibrant as the red rocks were to the eye!  We could not have imagined anything better.

  We were enjoying our meal so very much that we lost track of the time.  We were running behind in meeting our scheduled meeting time.  A quick drop off and change of clothes was in order!!  Now as much as I tried to get it right, I misdirected my friend and we had to make a loop around to our designated meeting place.  Yes, we were five minutes late…..but it was all okay.    By now the sun had retreated and retired for the day and the moon, in all of its fullness was gracing us!  The full moon ceremony was a wonderful way to top off such a full, rich and amazing day!! 

  When we finished the question was asked what time are we convening for our hike tomorrow morning.  Times were thrown about.  Six o’clock, six fifteen…maybe five forty five, loudly, clearly and without judgment the group said five forty five AM! 

  When I returned to my hotel room full of life and energy from the day’s experiences a thought crossed my mind.  Tomorrow is September 11, 2011. Ten years ago life as we know it changed at 8:46 AM eastern standard time…….5:46 AM pacific time……So we will reconvene early in the morning ten years to the day and just about to the minute.  We will honor those who gave all that they could, and all that they held dear so that we can be here today…….free……. And it was with that thought I placed my head upon my pillow, I was grateful, so very grateful on many levels, but mostly for all the abundance  and joy I have in my life…………..