After admiring the world around me, the trailblazer and I decided to climb back down to join the rest of our group. They were waiting for us, but getting down was no easy task. There were many times where I was climbing down in a crab walk position. We jokingly paid homage to Linda Blair in her stellar performance in "The Exorcist." After shuffling carefully down the mountain we met up with the rest of our group and it was decided...Onward Ho! Another adventure awaits.
Cathedral Rock was our next destination. Here the vortex is said to be feminine because it spirals inward. It is a larger rock formation than Bell Rock and more accessible. Feeling ever so adventurous, we all decided to strive for the summit. It seemed as if we were hiking for ever, a few miles can take quite along time clambering uphill on a rocky face. It is also incredible how in just a few steps the view can change so distinctly. The higher we got the cooler the air felt and the more beautiful the veiw. The sun was beginning its descent to the west when we finally reached the saddle (a ridge between two peaks). Stopping for a few minutes allowed us to ponder the amazing view and take it all in; it was simply breathtaking. Words and pictures can not do justice to this place. You could see for miles. The saddle opened up so that you could see the opposite side past the mountain. There were beautiful red rocks and even a small river. I hadn't seen running water in weeks! It is amazing those simple things we take for granted. The sight of the water itself made me feel refreshed as if I had been lost in the desert and found an oasis.
We each found our own place to sit and meditate on the day and to vainly try to remember every detail that caught our eye. Our stopping wasn't planned, but there was another small group of people who had gone on around to our final destination and we waited for them to return so we could selfishly and thirstily soak up whatever we could. while we waited we literally refreshed ourselves with water and snacks from the pack. Not much time had passed when the group returned and headed back down the mountain. Finally, we were nearing the ending of our upward climb and the excitement was almost unbearable.
After a short walk, we were there. Nestled in a carved sanctuary of red rock, we gazed in awe at the beauty of erosion and time. It was here that we again found our own place in which to sit and meditate and center ourselves. I had been meditating more frequently in hopes to feel something inside and now was my chance. I seperated myself from the others and found a rock ledge. A small table, almost altar-like slightly removed from the others. I laid down on the barren, hard rock floor and began breathing. Focusing on breath and trying to free my mind and make my body aware. It was really fascinating. I didn't specifically feel a pulsating or anything like that, but I did feel something. I felt a sense of sorrow. I justify it now as being the sorrow of Mother Earth. It was the feeling and the knowing that the Mother provides much, receives little, and sacrifices greatly. Thoughts like this started to form in my mind and a spontaneous need to cry overcame me. I allowed this emotion to wash over me and take me on a journey. A journey that lasted a lifetime in a second.
We take so much for granted on a daily basis-breathing for one. It is amazing what one can learn just by breathing and listening. After allowing my body to experience a much needed catharsis, I felt alive. The world looked more beautiful and I could see things more clearly. Each breath was honored as the cool air filled my lungs with live. It was truly a beautiful thing to be sitting in virtual solitude upon a red rock throne away from the world with only the energy of the Earth, breath, and my thoughts to keep me company. I can't fully describe what happened during that moment of meditation, but it was powerful.
I was so saddened when the time came for me to leave the sanctuary of this place. The others and I trudged back down the mountain and I was incredibly reluctant to leave. Still, there was more excitement to be had. Being inspired and interested in the new age movement and having been surrounded by it all day, we went on to the main, more commercial area of town. We browsed a new age shop and spoke to one of the shopkeepers who was very knowledgeable. I purchased a bracelet which I will describe and write about at a later date. After speaking with the shopkeeper for a short while, I noticed a box of "vortex rocks." They were pieces of the red rock that had come from the Bell Rock vicinity that this woman had ingraved with symbols. She enjoyed talking to us so much, she gave each of us a little piece of Sedona which hopefully held some remnant of the energy of the vortex. It is now a constant bedside reminder for me to maintain calm in my life.
The day wrapped up with a lovely dinner and a ride back to Mesa. What a wonderful adventure it was. We all experienced something that day and were saddened to return to Mesa, but that is life. Life is ups and downs and if we had such adventures every day, then life wouldn't seem so incredible. Sedona is a truly special place, I believe it may be a temple created by the Earth. A place of thought, growth, cleansing, and so much more. I count myself lucky that I have had to pleasure of seeing such a beautiful place. What a day it was...
Cathedral Rock was our next destination. Here the vortex is said to be feminine because it spirals inward. It is a larger rock formation than Bell Rock and more accessible. Feeling ever so adventurous, we all decided to strive for the summit. It seemed as if we were hiking for ever, a few miles can take quite along time clambering uphill on a rocky face. It is also incredible how in just a few steps the view can change so distinctly. The higher we got the cooler the air felt and the more beautiful the veiw. The sun was beginning its descent to the west when we finally reached the saddle (a ridge between two peaks). Stopping for a few minutes allowed us to ponder the amazing view and take it all in; it was simply breathtaking. Words and pictures can not do justice to this place. You could see for miles. The saddle opened up so that you could see the opposite side past the mountain. There were beautiful red rocks and even a small river. I hadn't seen running water in weeks! It is amazing those simple things we take for granted. The sight of the water itself made me feel refreshed as if I had been lost in the desert and found an oasis.
We each found our own place to sit and meditate on the day and to vainly try to remember every detail that caught our eye. Our stopping wasn't planned, but there was another small group of people who had gone on around to our final destination and we waited for them to return so we could selfishly and thirstily soak up whatever we could. while we waited we literally refreshed ourselves with water and snacks from the pack. Not much time had passed when the group returned and headed back down the mountain. Finally, we were nearing the ending of our upward climb and the excitement was almost unbearable.
After a short walk, we were there. Nestled in a carved sanctuary of red rock, we gazed in awe at the beauty of erosion and time. It was here that we again found our own place in which to sit and meditate and center ourselves. I had been meditating more frequently in hopes to feel something inside and now was my chance. I seperated myself from the others and found a rock ledge. A small table, almost altar-like slightly removed from the others. I laid down on the barren, hard rock floor and began breathing. Focusing on breath and trying to free my mind and make my body aware. It was really fascinating. I didn't specifically feel a pulsating or anything like that, but I did feel something. I felt a sense of sorrow. I justify it now as being the sorrow of Mother Earth. It was the feeling and the knowing that the Mother provides much, receives little, and sacrifices greatly. Thoughts like this started to form in my mind and a spontaneous need to cry overcame me. I allowed this emotion to wash over me and take me on a journey. A journey that lasted a lifetime in a second.
We take so much for granted on a daily basis-breathing for one. It is amazing what one can learn just by breathing and listening. After allowing my body to experience a much needed catharsis, I felt alive. The world looked more beautiful and I could see things more clearly. Each breath was honored as the cool air filled my lungs with live. It was truly a beautiful thing to be sitting in virtual solitude upon a red rock throne away from the world with only the energy of the Earth, breath, and my thoughts to keep me company. I can't fully describe what happened during that moment of meditation, but it was powerful.
I was so saddened when the time came for me to leave the sanctuary of this place. The others and I trudged back down the mountain and I was incredibly reluctant to leave. Still, there was more excitement to be had. Being inspired and interested in the new age movement and having been surrounded by it all day, we went on to the main, more commercial area of town. We browsed a new age shop and spoke to one of the shopkeepers who was very knowledgeable. I purchased a bracelet which I will describe and write about at a later date. After speaking with the shopkeeper for a short while, I noticed a box of "vortex rocks." They were pieces of the red rock that had come from the Bell Rock vicinity that this woman had ingraved with symbols. She enjoyed talking to us so much, she gave each of us a little piece of Sedona which hopefully held some remnant of the energy of the vortex. It is now a constant bedside reminder for me to maintain calm in my life.
The day wrapped up with a lovely dinner and a ride back to Mesa. What a wonderful adventure it was. We all experienced something that day and were saddened to return to Mesa, but that is life. Life is ups and downs and if we had such adventures every day, then life wouldn't seem so incredible. Sedona is a truly special place, I believe it may be a temple created by the Earth. A place of thought, growth, cleansing, and so much more. I count myself lucky that I have had to pleasure of seeing such a beautiful place. What a day it was...
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