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My last day in Sedona was exhaustively eventful. My body was sore, but I've taken care of myself enough where the pain was minimal. Although a bit dirty and ready to crawl back into a bed, I drove back down the gorgeous scenery to International I AM where I was enthusiastically greeted by name by one of International I AM's owners, Christina. With complete elation, she was in gratitude that I came to support their students. Again, I was a bit perturbed at first given my motives were completely selfish in that, I'm looking for some answers. Given the power of Wednesday's session, I didn't doubt the caliber of the students, who were also at the Wednesday session.
Each student took her turn requesting to enter the energy of a particular audience member for a short message from Spirit. Although there were gaps of time between obtaining messages, each moment was well spent as I was completely impressed by each students ability. Although my messages appear to be a bit cryptic, others audience members who had no correlation to the organization had messages on point. Nonetheless, I was given messages such as holding a duality where I have the conservative appeal on one side and a flip to that with a "freak" side. Provided that my spirituality is my "freak" side, where I am intimidated to disclose much of my knowledge/experiences as they are not the norm, I have found myself becoming more and more open since my first visit to Sedona. Apparently, Spirit was really applauding me for that aspect of myself. In addition to obtaining some well-needed career information, the presence of two Spirit dogs following me (the 1 hour sessions was mainly silent outside, but dogs began barking when this tidbit was disclosed), I was also provided information about a joyful event (Wedding; not necessarily mine) to help boost my emotional body, an unknown but distant travel to Africa for the end of next year, and quick visit and hello from my maternal Grandmother who was kneading bread (roti) in the after-world. The session ended with a quick goodbye where I thanked the owners, Whitney and Christina, for both Wednesday and Friday. The sessions were a big part of my Sedona experience that I will always remember and I felt saying goodbye was the perfect way to end my Sedona trip. Although I didn't think of it at the time, Whitney had expressed to me that when she saw me walk into the building, she had the sense that I was also going to stand up in the front and give a reading as if I was a student. Maybe that's a prediction for the future, as both Whitney and Christina would be excellent teachers given the positivity that effortlessly flows through them, but I'll leave that up to Spirit to decide. For now, I'm complacent with the knowing that Spirit is guiding me and believe will continue to have a greater presence in my life.
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My last day in Sedona was a bit exhausting. However, instead of driving back to Southern California later that day, I was going half way to the gambling spot of Laughlin, NV. for the night. A brilliant plan provided that the following day was Halloween, and I didn't want to exhaust myself driving to visit my nieces and nephews. Again, I woke up early to get to Cathedral Rock before other tourists ventured to the area. Probably a 1 hour steep hike, the views on Cathedral Rock are incredible. On the top of the trail, you're at the bottom of the large boulder rocks surrounding you like the sensation of being in an open top cave looking out into the horizon. I managed to get to the top where I was alone for a good 40 minutes. With no one to answer to, no one to describe the sensation of the experience, I was able to simply be. The first time I did this hike in 2014, I was left thinking how do I describe this experience to my numerous family members still sleeping in the hotel. However, there was nothing worth reflecting on and I was able to simply adjust myself mentally to soak up the moment.
One of the things I would notice from each of the vortexes that I had visited in Sedona was a knowing at the end of my visit, that I had got what I came for, whatever that may be. In carrying that thought, I was immediately greeted by a tourist who made it to the top and shrieked "damn" rather loudly at the view. Slowly coming out of my Sedona induced bliss, I tried to keep my attention on the view but was distracted by the tourists. Apparently coming in separate groups, instead of taking in the view, many of the tourists immediately proceeded to take posing pictures, talk with each other about where they came from, and then immediately walked back down the path. No one else noticed the moon's brilliance, which left me thrilled as I selfishly felt that she was only shining for me (Can you find her in the pictures above). Again, to each their own. Given that I wasn't able to trail Boynton Canyon the prior day due to the rains, I was again under time constraints on Friday to get done everything I wanted to accomplish. Moreover, I was feeling the burn of the hikes after the steep Cathedral Rock. Nonetheless, I pushed on to the neighboring vortex of Bell Rock, didn't climb as much as this vortex is usually littered with tourists, then proceeded to lunch and Boynton Canyon afterwards. I was dismissed from handling Boynton Canyon the prior day because of the rain, however, I think I was meant to traverse this trail at a particular moment to feel her magick.
Everything has a purpose and I began feeling the magick of the songs as the drums drew in a hawk that flew above us. The hawk can be seen as the Egyptian Neter Horus, symbolic of the third-eye. As Ted Andrews further elaborates in Animal Speak, the red-tail hawk shows the seat of primal energy with the grounding color red, but yet soars high in the sky. Moreover as further discussed, the Ojibwa consider this bird as a messenger of the Gods, providing you with signals. Again, I was reminded of the Chariot that I drew from the tarot deck, the timing was perfect for me to have this experience and I knew that something was looking out for me. As other tourists started making their way into our prayers having conversations on which direction to walk next, I again had the knowing that I got what I came for. It was time for me to go, to leave the natural bliss of Sedona as Boynton Canyon was the last natural stop for me before revisiting International I Am. As I was walking down the trail with the full knowing that I was done, I couldn't help but feel a bit of loneliness as I felt that this trip would have been so much more if shared with a special someone who would be open to the same experiences. No doubt I had come across and greeted many attractive tourists/locals. However, as my emotional body began spiraling downward while walking to my car, a fellow elderly gentleman walking up the pathway quickly greeted me and stated "I have something for you, it's in the shape of heart as it holds all of the loving energies that Sedona has to offer". I was handed a Sedona red rock carved into a heart shape. The gentleman quickly scrambled on while I was still in a state of shock telling him, "I really appreciate the gift". I was completely dumbfounded. Well, what do you think, is something looking out for me?
The owners of International I AM, Whitney and Christina, are full of love and light. They were not pushing a sales gimmick, but legitimately have a service to offer to help clients throughout numerous facets of their lives. Hence, although intimidated of what may arise, the energy in the room was relaxing and nothing like a horror movie portraying spiritualists as something unholy. In the dark room, after requesting my spirit guides to assist me, I found that I had the inability to open my eyes. Not thinking it was anything beyond the norm, I didn't address this issue with the group. Like my typical meditations experiences, I felt some pressure inside my head. Moreover, anytime I tried to open my eyes, my eyes would feel a burning sensation making me teary eyed. It wasn't until another individual in the room disclosed similar sensations that I immediately considered that this was Spirit. As one of the owners had described, Spirit was merely working with our chemistry to increase sensitivity.  After disclosing my sensations, I relaxed into the pressure of my head, didn't fight to keep my eyes open, and just let the cool relaxing tears flow. As one individual in the room noted, there was a Spirit above my head working on clearing some things as well as cat walking around my right foot. Moreover, another individual noted a labyrinth in front of me, where she described that I needed to walk a labyrinth to find the answers that I have been looking for. The stress of the long day of driving was melting away, the room had actually gotten impossibly darker somehow, I saw a shooting star flare on the ceiling, and I knew I was where I was suppose to be. The clearing above my head was completely believable given what I was feeling and was something I have been trying to do with my meditations. The labyrinth made perfect sense and had noted that labyrinths have also been showing up for me in the last year. But, the cat, the cat is what really got me and I didn't really think about it until after I got back to my hotel. As described in my prior posts, a large black jungle cat has made her presence known in my prior meditations that ended up becoming a segue to feeling the sensations of Kali. Could this cat be the same as in my meditations? Feeling the exhaustion of the day and ready to sleep, I left back to my hotel immediately after the session. As I laid in bed, I could not help but think that I might be able to see something if I relaxed into the darkness of the room enough. But as fear struck in and knowing that I wanted to get up early to hit the trails, I called in quits and rolled over to sleep. The following day was the only day it rained on my trip. Luckily, there were only slight drizzles in the morning where I was able to handle the airport vortex (and trail). The airport vortex offers you a complete 360 degree view of Sedona and is only a brief 10 minute climb. Although the twisting juniper trees were not as abundant as expected signifying vortex areas, the view was enough to experience a higher view or tap into a higher perspective. For the life of me, I do not know how tourists quickly scramble to these areas, take pictures, then leave without really soaking up the scenery. It's like looking at the Mona Lisa for a few minutes without spending the time to enjoy the details of each brushstroke. But oh well, to each their own. From here, I traveled to the "Tuzigoot" ruins. Like the sphinx, much of Tuzigoot was originally covered in soil and needed to be excavated. What was found was a large brick-and-mortar structure that apparently housed many different indigenous groups, like a meeting point.
I wanted to trail boynton canyon thereafter, but the winds and rains made me settle for exploring the shopping areas instead. I probably went through most of Sedona's new age shops that were clustered in the main shopping areas, looking for deals on gemstones that I would resonate with. There are definitely price differentiations between the shops where I was able to find some great deals. Nonetheless, the rainy day was still highly fruitful where I ended up back at the hotel around 8:30 pm ready to prepare for the next day of even more hikes and a revisit to International I AM. Read Part III here.  Sedona holds a special place for me. I visited these red rock mountains for the first time last year, where I purchased my lemurian quartz that really opened up the world of gemstones for me. I believe Sedona was a catalyst in increasing my sensitivity to beyond tangible reality. So with my boss leaving for a week to visit family out of country, I decided to take an impromptu trip back to Sedona to re-experience what has become my favorite place traveled so far. The day before my trip, Tuesday, Oct. 27, was the full moon in Taurus. The energetics are more grounded compared to what the astrological shifts have been addressing these last few months. Numerous websites have addressed this as "dreams come true" or simply "settling feelings" where the road we walk is a bit more stable. Awesome energetics to take this short sabbatical to hopefully gain some grounding again. Provided that my condominium faces west, I normally don't get to see the moon until much later in the night or early morning. However, waking up for work on Oct. 27, she appeared from a small open fold within my bedroom window curtain, shining in all of her glory. I took that as a good sign with the idea that hopefully my trip will look somewhat like James Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy.
Prior to my travels, with last minute planning, I researched events occurring during my stay. Among the concerts, or Halloween festivities, there was one "new agey" event that sparked my interest. This was the only event scheduled during my stay, a Psychic and Mediumship Workshop at the Sedona "International Institute of Advanced Metaphysics (International I AM)". As an introvert that mainly wanted to get to the vortexes with as much mental clarity as possible, I hesitated to do any social event. However, I told myself, "if it's close to my hotel, then I should really consider it". Well, it ended up being 0.2 miles, or a 5 minute walk away from my room. So I registered. Provided that my 2014 trip lacked visiting the indigenous ruins, I chose to visit "Montezuma's Castle/Well" (nothing to do with Montezuma) which is right before Sedona. It was a nice detour from immediately going to my hotel, where there was only so much I could squeeze in between 12:30 pm and the scheduled 6:50 pm workshop. But, everything worked out perfectly. The "Castle/Well" reminded me of alternative history tunnels into inner earth, something straight out of a David Hatcher Childress book. It was my first stop on my trip, and although I felt the solitude of being on my first solo personal travel, there was no loneliness with the knowing that I have a higher purpose for this trip. I then proceeded to the Amitabha Stupa for further blessings for my travels before I check-in with my hotel.
The next stop I had planned was my hotel, rest for a bit and clean-up, then move on to the workshop. However, I missed making a right into my hotel parking lot and made the next right to turn back around. However, in huge print was displayed on a poster "book sale today", where I took the bait and ended up spending the next hour at the Sedona Public Library. On seeing the metaphysical books this place had for sale, and at the near-steal prices, let's just say I was having flashbacks to the Chariot card. After spending about $45 for books ranging from Tibetan high meditation to the Rosicrucian's, I was under the pressure to rush to make sure I made it to the workshop. I quickly entered the hotel check-in rushing knowing that I needed to iron my clothes, shower, and hopefully take a short breather before the workshop. I was greeted with the scent of delicious Indian food and a fellow Indian who greeted me with a huge smile. A bit exhausted, I took in the room decor with a large "Aum" symbol, numerous tourist flyers, many large and gorgeous gemstones, and a picture that made my jaw drop. On the wall, the Hindu owners had hung a picture of the beautiful Hathor. If you've read my prior posts, you know my affinity for Hathor and her connection with Kali. After the owner told me a few things about Sedona and knowing I was under time constraints, I just had to ask about the Hathor portrait.
I only had enough time to unload my car, iron my clothes, and quickly dash to the workshop. I was exhausted and a part of me didn't want to be in a social atmosphere. Just wasn't in the mood, and food and sleep sounded pretty good. However, I knew I would hate myself if I missed this experience. Hence, I proceeded to "International I AM" and was greeted by numerous females who just had a radiant glow. Everything and everyone was of love and light. As a workshop to increase sensitivity, I was expecting an arsenal of techniques to add to my meditations or confirm my current practices. However, the workshop ended up being so much more powerful, do I dare label it more of a seance.
More to come in part II. 
Cathedral Rock is a must for any explorer where if taking enough breaks can be a moderate hike. However, be forewarned that there is one particular area that is basically a steep hike up a narrow crevice in between two large boulders. There are adequate foot placements but do require some lower body strength. Appropriately named, Cathedral Rock offers a spiritual experience unlike any hike, or travel destination, that I have experienced. The almost 360º view offers stupendous views of the neighboring red rock Sedona Mountains. I arrived at the hike at roughly 6:15am, the Sun was warming the lush landscape flowing with a glowing green from the daily night monsoon storm (apparently occurs July through August). The early sunrise reflected a silver shine off the non-red mountains beautifully brightening the view of the Sedona red rocks. You will feel the wonders of nature just within a few minutes of this hike, especially if there are not that many tourists visiting.
What seemed to be a few minutes was really almost an hour of my time that I had simply sat sheltered within Cathedral Rock. The feeling was surreal and my logical mind made many attempts to interpret, define, or find some metaphor to explain the experience. The first comparison was to the Amitabha Stupa visited the prior day near the Boynton Canyon trail. Eastern traditions have used the shapes of mounds or mountains for their religious structures known as Stupas, where the pillars of Cathedral Rock somewhat felt similar. However, it was the placement of the Bodhisatva Amitabha within the Stupa monument that I found myself most reflecting. The Bodhisattva was surrounded within a cave like structure with a Stupa mound on the top. On Cathedral Rock, I was surrounded by the pillars cave like structure where the pillars crown is reminiscent of the Stupa. Hence, I felt like I was sitting somewhere that a Bodhisattva would use to reach enlightenment or simply call home.
Therefore, Cathedral Rock lived up to its name where my inner sanctum felt at peace. The hustle and bustle of the city and the illusion we call the past and future played no role in the present. Even a dragonfly decided to sit by my feet while I was in meditation position, undeterred by the human ego of nature domination. As was described to me by a relative the prior night (synchronicity), the dragonfly has 360º vision where comprehension of such vision is unfathomable by the predator human eye set. However, this delicate creature may have been simply attempting to tell me to use my inner eye for complete vision. 
 Sedona, what can I say! What attracted me to the area was my interest in forbidden archaeology, information from Pleiadian channeler Darryl Anka (Bashar), and the need to get lost in nature. The experience of the area can be summed up in one concept, sensational, where the vast expanse of mountainous terrains leaves each individual with a subjective feast of the senses that becomes totally obliterated when described objectively.
The flyer further stated that you're essentially observing 80 million years of sediment deposition, prior to the time of the T-Rex when Sedona was immersed under water. At this time, life (plants, amphibians) was simply beginning on land. Id. Hence, utter amazement on how Sedona maintained its red rocks under wind and water erosion for 275 million years, something not found surrounding the Sedona vicinity.
In crystal enthusiast circles, Hematite is a powerful "grounding" stone. Held in your hand or some other form of skin contact is said to help assist in creating a cooling/calming effect that will assist in clearing your mental clutter. This can definitely describe my own subjective experience of Sedona, especially after hiking through areas known to be spiraling vortices of energy (Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock). Each hike left me feeling with a euphoric Now presence with a desire to just be in the moment devoid of impertinent thoughts.
 Twisting Juniper at Cathedral Rock (feminine vortex) Lastly, hematite is also believed to assist in balancing the yin-yang magnetic energies within the body found through acupuncture meridians. Through the yin-yang concept, it is interesting to note that certain vortex areas of Sedona are believed to carry either a masculine (yang) or feminine (yin) energy, if not a balance of both. Nonetheless, the euphoric grounding feeling was felt throughout the terrain, including hanging out on the balcony of our hotel. I didn't realize the strength of mental clarity that I experienced, nor the calm, until waking up in my bed the following day of our return, where I then faced the plethora of thoughts arising from the material world. Still I cling to the pictures, memories, and blessings that I hope will last a lifetime, or at least until my return.  Hopi Kokopelli Katsina Doll |
AuthorOverly educated and continuously exploring and revealing more behind the veil. "It cannot be too highly emphasized that the mystic swims in the same waters in which the psychotic drowns."
-James Wasserman, The Mystery Traditions Archives
August 2019
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