Sedona Story

By Tonya Whelan

Yolessa and I asked people on the street “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?”

We were surprised by the answers we received.

By Ilchi Lee

If you are living in Sedona or if you have ever visited, what would you pick out as the essence of the Sedona spirit? I would pick out three things.

Creativity
More than anything else, the Sedona spirit is the spirit of creation. The primordial beauty of nature in Sedona and its sky and red rocks that change so variously depending on the light of the desert sun awaken a great creativity within us. No matter what difficult situations we may find ourselves in, we are able to change them and create them anew according to our choice. We can choose hope no matter what the situation. And with amazing creativity, we can design our lives and become the drivers of our destiny.

Interaction with the Earth
The Sedona spirit is the spirit of interacting with the earth. The sky that opens so wide and deep above the red rocks, the juniper trees and cacti that emanate vital power, the golden full moon that cuts through the desert night … All these environments help us to feel the earth as life forms and have energetic and spiritual interactions with the earth. The experience of interacting with the earth connects us with a greater and more permanent power beyond the limited and finite self, to bring us spiritual fulfillment and a sense of unity. And it leads us naturally as members of the planet Earth to earth-centered living in which we coexist with all life.

Awakened Living
I would like to call the characteristics of a new lifestyle that pursues the Sedona spirit “awakened living.” The essence of Awakened Living is that it doesn’t separate the spiritual from daily life. The age in which we look for spirituality deep in a mountain or in mystical doctrines is over. In the here and now, where our work, people, and passion are tied closely together—I believe that’s the true spiritual lifestyle.

For Awakened Living, you need wisdom that doesn’t necessarily coincide with a religion or value system that systematizes spirituality. The most important questions in life are not answered by experts or by systems. They can help us on our journey to ask those questions but finding the answers is always our own to do. We are the one and only experts, writers, and authorities of our own lives.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve studied, developed, and taught innumerable self-help methods and meditation techniques. But lately, I’ve been saying, “Don’t do training at all.” Instead, I say, “Practice living or live practice.” Even the idea that you have to set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour in order to meditate is a misconception. Sparing just one or two minutes every hour to do some push-ups, squats, stretching or deep breathing could also become an excellent meditation incorporated into your daily life. Because this kind of approach breathes strength, focus, passion and balance into our lives several times a day, it’s a much healthier approach to spirituality. Meditation is not a reward or comfort for a body that has returned tired from the day’s work. Meditation is about living this very life, here, in this moment, now.

Sedona Spirit Beyond Sedona
If you have come to Sedona, don’t forget and take these three elements of the Sedona spirit into your life. In the phrase “Sedona spirit,” Sedona doesn’t just mean a land of red rocks located in northern Arizona. Sedona is a space of infinite creation in your heart, your greatest dream, and the most sacred moments of your life. And it is the power of your choice to choose hope even in the most difficult moments.

By Frank Hughes

Hiking Sedona trails can be a hot affair in an Arizona summer. Don’t dismay, there are a few trails that are cool and refreshing, even when it’s 100 degrees. The secret lies in finding a trail with water close by that’s hiding between the tall walls of a canyon.

West Fork Trail is one of these places. It’s about 10 miles north of Sedona on 89A (going towards Flagstaff). The parking lot fills up quickly, so try to get there before 9 am.

Walk over a short bridge and you enter another world. You start out in a more open field with an ancient apple tree orchard, and soon pass the ruins of a house built in the 1800’s. This was once a fishing lodge; Zane Gray stayed here and actually used this setting for his book The Call of The Canyon.

Continuing on you quickly enter an area of tall pine trees, towering canyon walls and a small stream that you cross over many times during your hike by walking on stones in the brook. The whole area has a special Zen, peaceful  ambience; one finds it almost hard to return to “real life”.

It’s hard to believe that this whole canyon was forged out by water, millennium by millennium. Stop and smell the bark of a Ponderosa Pine tree.  You’ll find that it smells of vanilla (or some say butterscotch). Experience all the beautiful ferns along your path. They’re luscious green in spring, then turn a beautiful brown in late summer.

One curve in the stream has a soaring rock wall that arches delicately overhead. There’s a little sandy beach that you can sit on and ponder the wonderful forces of nature that made this all happen.

Although the trail goes on for 12 miles, most people stop at the three mile point when they come to a wonderful little natural rock sluice that allows the water to form a beautiful pond. What a wonderful place to sit and admire the reflections of the trees and canyon walls.

By EJ Lim

I met Mr. Randell Standswithbear at Crystal Enlightenment on the Creek, a store in Sedona, AZ. He said he just moved to Sedona four days ago and he already has been falling deeply in love with Sedona.

Randell has been an accomplished musician for over 20 years; from his father’s side he is a fourth generation musician. His artistry includes Native American flute, drums and percussion, as well as vocals. His many activities encompass a variety of Native American gatherings, pow wows, galleries, exhibits and special performances as well as producing personal CDs.

If you would like more information about Randell, please visit http://www.reverbnation.com/randell.

By Eun Young Lee

Last July, I climbed Bell Rock.

I didn’t go all the way to the top, but I did some breathing and meditation about halfway up. My tired, weary body and mind were at peace in no time, and before I knew it, I could feel my awareness expanding from myself to the world, from myself to the earth.

I automatically felt a desire to share this tranquility with the world and with other people, and deep in my heart, I was able to feel the pain and hurt that humanity has now. And I prayed with all my heart for peace to come to humanity without delay. I offered a desperate prayer as I imagined people meeting each other, soul to soul, and healing the world, and imagined the earth rejoicing.

When you go up Bell Rock in Sedona, you can feel all souls. You can feel that we are all one, you can feel the earth’s love, and you can also feel that we are the hope of this world. That’s why I say that Bell Rock in Sedona is a place where you can feel hope and find your dream.

By STEMproduction

Schnebly Hill Road is one of the most beautiful and scenic routes in Sedona. The steep, twisty and unpaved drive was the main route from Sedona to Flagstaff before Oak Creek Canyon Road (US-89A) was built in 1914. Schnebly was the name of first settler in Sedona, Carl Schnebly. The city of Sedona is named after his wife, Sedona Schnebly.

By Mina Kim

I drew this with the desire to heal a deep resentment I held toward a coworker. Coming to Sedona and being in her amazing energy helped me mend my heart.

By STEM Productions

This is a time-lapse video of the nighttime sky from the Sedona Mago Retreat Center. (www.sedonamagoretreat.org)
The Dahngun Shrine and Mission Place are significant places that mark the history of the Sedona Mago Retreat Center.

Produced by: EJ Lim
Filmed by: Neal Margolin
Edited by: Edwin Kim

By Phil Kim

One of my favorite places in Sedona is Bell Rock. Not only because I can see Bell Rock very well from Highway 179, but also it gives me a lot of inspiration, encouragement and power. From time to time, I enjoy hiking trails around Bell Rock in the morning. Sometimes, I climb up to the top of it.

On June 9th, I went to Bell Rock in the morning. As soon as I arrived at the foot of Bell Rock, I felt refreshed and good already. To me, it feels like very powerful energy is being emitted out from Bell Rock ceaselessly. To be refreshed and feel passionate about my life—isn’t it a very good way to begin the day?

Even though Sedona is in the middle of the desert, there are many forms of life. I could see many century plants and cacti while I hiked. How do they survive in the desert with so little water? How do they handle the wide daily temperature range everyday?

I began to climb Bell Rock. The sky that I could see between rocks was really blue and clear. The blue sky and the red rocks were making a great harmony of colors. I looked down on my way to the top. I could see the two lanes of Highway 179. Several cars were passing through the fresh and pure air in Sedona, heading somewhere. As I was getting higher, I sweated a bit, which made me feel very good.

As soon as I got to the top, it was a pine tree who welcomed me, waving its many hands. The morning was a little windy. The sun was shining through the branches of the pine tree, which looked out over the world. Money, personal desires, success, fame… Certain things that seem very crucial to our lives didn’t seem to bother this tranquil tree at all. I meditated and prayed in front of the tree. Thank you for being here.

From the top, I could see the beautiful Coconino National Forest surrounding Bell Rock. I breathed calmly and slowly. Tried to listen to the sound of the wind and sense the color of the sunshine. A few birds flew above me out of nowhere and were singing cheerful songs. Yes. I am given another brand new day today. No matter what difficult challenges I may meet today, I will not give up. I love myself.

Humming songs with a big smile on my face, I climbed down Bell Rock and headed home.

Thank you, Bell Rock.

By Edwin Kim

Yoda and C-3PO go on a hiking adventure in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona.

Created by Paudwin