Sedona Story

By Franklin Hughes

I saw this wise saying a few days ago and it made me do a lot of reflecting. And I found that putting these thoughts down in writing helps me un-jumble them, maybe somewhat like a diary.

(Dear Diary…)

In Sanskrit, the word karma literally means “action”. In Buddhism however, karma mainly refers to one’s intention or motivation while doing an action. And I’m Baptist, so where does that leave me? Well, another answer then would be: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7)

However, I don’t want this to be a piece centered on karma, so I guess that I could change the title to: “How you treat me is your bag (or doings, or responsibility), how I react is mine…”

And I guess that the main thing that got me thinking is the “how I react” part. Sometimes, I take things so personally. The guy that cuts me off while I’m driving because he didn’t see me (or is one of us in the older generation that can only turn his head ten or fifteen degrees to look). The lady with the grocery cart that just stands there in the middle of the aisle (beep, beep, honk, honk). The turmoil we go through with those close to us. Boy, I got to lighten up some.

What that above saying made me realize in just a few words is that I should not worry or be bothered so much by their actions, but be more conscious about mine. They have their own “life-circumstances” that colors their intentions or motivations, that’s their present-life karma. I’m not responsible for what they do, they are. I’m responsible for how I react to it and I don’t do such a good job sometimes.

I’m (slowly) learning to be happier or accepting of myself. What’s there is there …. By accepting myself better, I won’t reflect my feeling on what others inherently make me feel when they interact.

One of the things that I’m doing is getting out more in the sunshine here in Sedona instead of being “captured” by my computer. I’m also going to the Sedona Meditation Center and enjoying the classes there that get my body moving (rocking and rolling).

One other thing that I’m learning is to concentrate more on my breathing. I went to a lecture at the library a few weeks ago, given by the author of “The Call of Sedona” where he spoke on the utter importance of breathing (aside from keeping you alive). Not just breathing, but how you breathe. This is another thing that we all could learn better, whether it be at the Meditation Center, or at any of the yoga studios in Sedona.
Want to read a few paragraphs on breathing, click here: http://www.ilchi.com/tag/abdominal-breathing/

So, I’m practicing watching my breathing, concentrating on every breath, both in and out for 30 minutes a day. I know that I breathe shallowly, someone just reminded me of it last night. So, soon I hope to start to breathe more deeply without having to think about it. Keep myself kicking-around for a few more years…
I don’t want to feel like this little manga character… Life here in Sedona is pretty sweet, I want to enjoy it more… Ready to join me?

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
(Unknown source)

The Call of Sedona- Journey of the Heart, by Ilchi Lee

Review by: Dylan R. Marshall

Many people have been to Sedona, and many more will come. The draw of its visual majesty is undeniable. Sedona is, and always will be a source of Awe and Inspiration.

Mr. Lee knows all of these things…and more.

He uses plain and straightforward language, and his personal experiences, to take you by the hand and share his Joy, Passion, and Discovery of this spiritual refuge.

‘The Call of Sedona- Journey of the Heart’ is quite possibly the most deeply passionate book ever written about the Red Rocks.

Ilchi Lee playing his flute

Mr. Lee takes us there by sharing himself:

“I was born in December 1950, amidst the fires of the Korean War. When I was young, I was unusually softhearted and physically weak. I encountered many difficulties because I couldn’t focus well on my studies at school…demanding questions like, “Why am I here?” wouldn’t leave me alone, so I couldn’t focus on what I was supposed to be learning.”

He speaks of a transformative experience:

“…at age 14, I was involved in a tragic accident. I went to go swimming in the reservoir with a friend and he drowned. Because of the shock and grief I felt, I was sick in bed for nearly a month afterward and experienced acute fear and anxiety about death.”

He comments on his indignation with Life:

“God, if you put me on this world without bothering to get my permission, shouldn’t you at least tell me why I should live?”…I felt a resentment that wasn’t directed toward anyone in particular and I was bursting with questions that had no answers.”

He shares his frustrating early searches for those answers:

“…I started wandering about in search of someone who could give me the answer to the issues of life and death, or at least offer some clues! I looked for and found books about philosophy and the spiritual world, and every time I had a chance, I would seek out people who were said to have performed ascetic practices in the mountains…But I couldn’t find anything that resonated within me…”

Moak Mountian in Korea

He speaks of his enlightenment:

“I had reached that moment where I had to give up on “life and death”- whether I wanted to or not. As I resigned myself to my fate, I said, “O Heaven…Please do as you see fit”…And that’s when something amazing happened…”

“…I had come to have faith that if I gave my sincere devotion to an extreme situation, a strength other than my own would come and guide me, lifting me up.”

“…music of the universe reverberated in my heart and the breath of nature went in and out through my skin.”

The Amazing Bell Rock, Sedona Arizona

He talks of his discovery of Sedona:

“In early 1996, I was reading a newspaper…I saw a photo that immediately grabbed my attention…The red rocks were so real they felt like they might jump out of the paper at me.”

He shares his first experiences with a Sedona guide:

“This guide…came to me one day and said, “There’s a saying, ‘When you come to Sedona, you have to set aside all of your personal thoughts and desires. If you don’t, you can’t receive Sedona’s energy and furthermore you could pollute Sedona.’ That’s why, you have to clear your mind and prepare yourself before you come.”

He tells us the most Important Question:

“…though I had had many names and titles, there had always been only one question behind everything I had done. That question was, “Who am I?”…”

He explains the role of the Earth:

“…the Earth is also an organic life form; it has an energy system similar to that of the human body. Vortexes perform a similar role for the Earth as chakras do in the human body…The vortex energy of Sedona has the power to correct the energy imbalance in the human chakras.”

He Illuminates the Pathway towards Self-Realization:

“…You have to know that the sense of being that seems to extend infinitely without beginning or end is not an illusion…you are then able to embrace all moments of life with confidence…”

He shares his Sedona epiphany:

“As I looked at the dazzling beauty of Sedona’s Earth and sky awash with the morning sun, my heart skipped a beat, and it occurred to me that this just might be the place that I had been searching for for so long.”

And this is only a mere fraction of this amazing book…

‘The Call of Sedona- Journey of the Heart’ is a rich, interwoven tapestry of personal experiences, philosophical reflections, and celebration of the harmonious energy of the Red Rocks. It delves into the infinite possibilities that will manifest themselves when you meditate on the bucolic serenity of Sedona.

It is poignant and engaging at every turn.

‘The Call of Sedona’ is a Love Letter written not only about Sedona, but also about a Deep and Abiding love and concern for all humanity.

Thank you so much Mr. Lee!

By Ralph Fourmont

Like many other people who are fed up with media chaos, I quit watching television when I moved to Sedona in September. Unplugging ‘the boob tube’ was the smartest thing I’ve done in years: my life has become richer in many ways. The constant input of negative messages and bad information really dampened my own consciousness, and I feel alive again! I read again, write again, and even have intelligent (finally!) and meaningful conversations with my new friends, on a daily basis! One brilliant book I read recently is The Call of Sedona by Ilchi Lee.

After three months I decided that I would watch a movie with a friend, a DVD with no commercial brainwashing! We chose to watch August Rush … what a great decision; this movie goes hand-in-hand with The Call of Sedona, proving that a great movie (quite rare, really) can compliment a great book! The synergetic effect of the two really left me with a renewed rush of inspiration and hope for our society and myself.

In this movie, an orphaned young boy stays true to his inner self as he maneuvers through a painful cast of individuals who are hostile and skeptical about his ability to hear music everywhere in the world. True to life, he gets help where he needs it, however, and overcomes all obstacles to realize his dreams and bring his family together. The movie mirrors Lee’s book in describing the extra senses we can use to ‘read’ the world and realize our goals. There is energy everywhere, Lee details, in the voice of the birds, in the wind, in the trees and plants, in the sea and air, which can tell us how the earth feels and what’s going on around the earth. Lee constantly points out that we can “find our rhythm” —our personal rhythm—inside, and also discover, through the meditative practices described in the book, the powerful vortex of energy within our souls.

August, the prodigious young musician in the movie, hears his family’s music in the wind, in the night, and hears music in every sound on the earth about him. He refuses to believe those around him who try to make him doubt himself and ostracize him, and leaves the comfort of his stagnant existence. He sets out into the world, following the music, and overcomes his fears and doubts to realize glory.

I found it interesting that there is not one bird in the movie, as birds are key in spreading news, but that is evidence that all writers can forget an important element of a telling. Hemingway talked about this; he called it the ‘tip of the iceberg’ writing: we can describe only the surface elements of a story, as long as we know what’s underneath. If we don’t know, then there’s a hole in the story. That’s why Lee’s book compliments the movie; it fills the holes that the writer perhaps doesn’t understand: the powerful extra-sensory perceptions, the underlying psychology, and the great vortex of energy within us all. Too many people in our human societies live as zombies, bodies without a purpose, without understanding, led by bad information to lead pointless and hedonistic lives. The movie definitely covered ‘finding your rhythm,’ for sure!

Try watching August Rush while reading The Call of Sedona. Then practice the powerful meditations at the end of the book, and help realize your own dreams. My life has changed drastically over the past year, and I have found Sedona and a host of friends and teachers. I am delighting in the energy and rhythm of the dream I’ve discovered, a dream that was lost over the painful years of wandering through an unguided life. Instead of throwing our lives away chasing material gain and stagnant comfort, discover the rhythm that is yours, ride the powerful vortex of energy within. Realize your own dream, and your soul will sing within your heart.

Greetings and Salutations to All!

I wanted to share a message with you concerning the Holidays.

Often, we become so immersed in stress because of the season, that we forget the what and the why of the season.

Many Blessings of Light, Love, and Joy to ALL!

Dylan

By Ralph Fourmont

The beauty of Sedona attracts most visitors here, but many arrive to experience the potentially healing power of the vortices in the area, after doing some research or following the referral of a friend. At the Sedona Meditation Center, where I attend as a member, practitioners experience energy healing and clearing on a daily basis, as the schedule permits multiple classes for individuals. On Thursday, Nov. 17th, core members and friends of the Center met with renowned author and creator of Brain Education, Ilchi Lee, for an evening of light snacks, music, and discussion.

We all brought one of our favorite dishes and had stuffed the den with as many chairs as we could find and talked anxiously. The Celebration of November 12th at the Performing Arts Center still had us buzzing with a healthy glow, and we were looking forward to a more intimate meeting with the author and had questions regarding his most recent book, The Call of Sedona. HaeJung Jung, director of the Meditation Center and our beloved teacher and friend, had us all sit and begin a meditation. We started with a breathing exercise, tapping, collecting energy, and centering ourselves. Minutes later we were all much calmer, peaceful, and collected … thank you, HaeJung, for your infinite wisdom and guidance.

We all welcomed Mr. Lee, whom I consider one of my teachers and refer to as my Seuseungnim as they do in the Korean tradition, with warm applause and led him to the long table of food where we lurked hungrily about while feigning disinterest in the mouth-watering dishes and desserts. Eating, talking, and meeting new friends: it seemed too soon before HaeJung called us in to the den for discussion.

Though forewarned, I was still somewhat hesitant when HaeJung announced “Ralph will now play a piece that he has prepared for the piano.” I have never taken lessons, and have never “prepared” a piece in my life, but rather was just going to start playing! Being self-taught, I love the piano, I love how it sounds, but haven’t played for years. A bit fearful, what was I thinking, agreeing to this? The day before, however, a friend had loaned me a CD discussion with Ilchi Lee, and he admitted that he never took flute lessons, but he loved its voice. When he played, he said, he could not play a wrong note, because he was never taught ‘the rules.’ Therefore all that he played was right. The trick was to “find the rhythm” within yourself, and just play.

What a metaphor for life, I thought. As long as we are true to ourselves and find our own rhythm inside, we cannot go wrong! We all make mistakes, or more accurately, upon reflection desire a different outcome, but at least we’re playing. So I sat remembering the voice on the CD that told me to “trust yourself,” and played. I felt the keys dancing under my fingers. I felt the vibrations caressing my senses, felt the flow and ebb of the wind around the strings of the beautiful baby grand, felt the singing in my heart. I moved to the music and played the rhythm inside me, and loved the piano’s voice. And then I stopped before someone caught on that I really couldn’t play after all. It was nice of everyone to applaud, I thought, and our Seuseungnim, through his Korean translator, asked me what I called that “beautiful piece.” Cringing, I admitted that I don’t know, that I just made it up. I just love to play, but like him, couldn’t play the same thing twice!

He told us all that what I had done was find the rhythm in myself, and played that rhythm through the piano’s voice. He then asked me to play another piece. I was horrified…I didn’t know any piece to play. Trying to slink away from the task, I asked if he was serious: he was. Okay, I told myself, it’s okay, just trust yourself. I walked back to the piano and sat down. I trusted him, this compassionate and loving man, and so I found a new tune…I played like a child plays with a new toy he is unfamiliar with: how does this sound, what will this do. Only the piano was with me, only its sound I heard, its vibration; its voice, my rhythm. Okay, satisfied, I stopped playing.

Ilchi Lee told us we must all find our rhythm, and create wonderful things in our life, like the music we play. He asked us to listen to his rhythm, and he sang some words from the ancient Chun Bu Kyung, and played his flute. He sang for us and it was beautiful, and reminded me that any soul can sing, every person has rhythm and a voice, and we should never disparage a soul for doing so. He pointed out that the media tries to tell us who is great, who we should listen to; but the truth is, we all are. We go to concerts to listen to someone else’s rhythm because we cannot find our own, but we should. Our rhythm is our own, and more powerful than ‘experiencing’ someone else’s. I know this to be true…when I play, when I write, I feel the beauty within and my soul smiles. Like being kind to a stranger in need, and watching someone else be kind…no comparison!

Later, during a question and answer period, Ilchi Lee talked about the vortices in Sedona. He said that people come to Sedona to merely “experience” the vortices, just as many people spend their lives seeking a vortex, or energy location. I thought of my friends who come from all over the country to hike the Grand Canyon every year, of the hundreds or hikes I’ve gone on to search for ancient ruins…what are we looking for? And the countless times we have meditated at the popular vortex sites of Sedona. What do we expect to find? Is it not something inside us that we seek? “Sedona is a wonderful place to practice meditation,” he continued, the most beautiful and powerful place he has found in the world, but the vortex inside us, he leaned forward and emphasized, is more powerful than any vortex on earth. The people who come here wish to experience these vortices, and then leave, but do not realize that they can use their time in this area to connect with the vortex inside themselves.

The Grand Canyon is vast and breathtakingly beautiful, but not as vast and beautiful as our own soul, Mr. Lee revealed to us. Our vortex within is greater than any canyon on Earth, he declared.

I was almost ecstatic, I wanted to email all the wonderful people I’ve met that have visited Sedona and practiced at our beautiful Meditation Center, and tell them the good news! Many have asked me for pictures of Bell Rock and our hikes in an attempt to stay connected to the beautiful energy of this area, and their wonderful experience at the Center, but may be unaware of the most powerful vortex inside their very souls!

The evening ended all too soon, and after a group photo everyone said their goodbyes. I spent the next few days contacting everyone I could think of to say that they carried a Sedona in their own hearts, within their grasp, through the methods of Brain Education. My friends were delighted and very grateful to hear the wonderful news about the vortex within them. They even stopped asking for pictures of Bell Rock.

I hope and pray that we all can find the rhythm and vortex within ourselves that has lain dormant for too many centuries. I wish this more than anything for every soul on earth, for without this simple dance of life, I fear for the future of our souls. And may we all carry this message, as we learn it, to our neighbors, our families, and our friends. Thank you, Ilchi Seuseungnim, for the hope you’ve given us.

By Ralph Fourmont

I read in The Call of Sedona that when you come to Sedona and allow your heart to open, your vision or life’s mission will reveal itself, or a vision that you lost long ago. Like many others, I lost sight of my vision many years ago, and yet it was a vision that was muted and blurred at best. Please let me share not the beautiful vision that I now hold in my heart and my brain, but of the wonderful people who have helped me find that vision with great passion and clarity. Let me share with you my new loving family at the “Celebrate the Sedona Spirit” hosted by the Sedona Meditation Center this last Saturday, on November twelfth.

I began attending the Dahn Yoga classes at the Center on Jordan Road about seven weeks ago, and have increased my attendance to enjoy and learn in a myriad of classes since. I’ve enjoyed energy healing, Dahn Yoga, drumming, Tai Chi, modern dancing, a belly dancing class (I thought it was a yoga class, really!), and special visits from different exotic and spiritual cultures. How could I stay away when I feel so loved, so welcome, and I feel for once in a long time that I may be getting closer to opening my heart and letting Heaven’s beautiful loving energy in to heal my bruised and battered soul. Eventually I made more friends at the center and went on hikes and helped out with various events, so I was quick to volunteer for Ilchi Lee’s appearance on the great event at the Performing Arts Center. Why wouldn’t I be excited and honored to meet the person who was responsible for bringing such a loving, peaceful and crucial mission to humanity? I wanted to enjoy life with my new friends.

The state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center is an amazing building, and we were rushing about trying to prepare in time for the wonderful celebration we had planned. We tied balloons in the cold wind to direct the almost 900 people, set up booths, set out food, prepared the stage and performances; trying to hold it all together like a child with a full bag of groceries on a rickety staircase. The new Meditation Center director, HaeJung Jung, was typically beautiful and brilliant, guiding and thoughtful, yet a powerful mother to us all; appointing places and times like the grand conductor of a massive orchestration. People arrived in droves, exceeding our expectation, and still I had a strong sense of family and belonging as my friends from the center manned booths and assisted visitors. I could not be tied down to a booth as the energy began to grow inside and around me; I found I had to keep moving, running errands, helping, and sharing my energy.

The crowd rushed into the theatre at the appointed hour, and I helped find seats for everyone I could. I shared the kindness and love that I received from the instructors and core members at the meditation center, and experienced such a strong sense of belonging and family, wanting to welcome everyone into this joy and onto this path that I was so freely shown. When Mr. Lee appeared in the audience the crowd responded with a heartfelt cheer and welcome of love and respect. The show began with enthusiasm and excitement, one beautiful and thrilling performance after another of explosive sound, color, and richly flowing culture. But I was too intoxicated by the sheer energy of the event to pay much attention, honestly. The powerful and startling drummers from different cultures, the brilliant dancers, the beautiful singers soaring in my ears; I caught breathtaking and unforgettable glimpses, but had to keep moving, attending, assisting, running between the lobby and the audience. The energy was terrific, and I could not stop; I was drunk with love and excitement, a small child in a huge gathering of close relatives. My heart was open, my family was close, and the night was filled with light and sound and an endless stream of joyful people like ten years of Christmas all in a few hours. We were all connected, and I was glowing.

Nervous and apprehensive later, I waited to take the stage for a Brain Wave Vibration demonstration directed by Ilchi Lee himself. I was honored and deeply grateful to be chosen for this small task, and ecstatic to meet our enlightened teacher. In front of all those people, sitting in a lone chair dancing to the music, I was not alone … I felt everyone giving me their energy, their love, their support. I felt we were all in that chair, I felt we were One. As the rhythm increased, though my body shook and jumped I grew peaceful inside, and still … like a cat in the window on a bright snowy night, warm and safe. As I exited the stage, Mr. Lee took my hand and touched my forehead, and I felt the love and compassion of my new family at that moment, as a bright light filled my heart.

The people left that night in a reluctant rush, more caught up and driven by the energy that filled and unified that Center, than by the thought of beating the parking crowd. Everyone was glowing, and wondrous at the vision they had experienced, excited about learning more about this new Meditation Center that had brought such a remarkable event. I was simply happy, honored and very, very proud of my new group of close family and friends. I felt alive!

(Photos by Franklin Hughes)

By Ilchi Lee

Hope has the power to save even a person who is dying. I came to Sedona in search of hope, looking for a place that could give me hope. This is where I found it. The environment and energy in Sedona gave me strength and encouragement. You might wonder, why did it give me that? I think it’s because I wanted hope. I was able to feel it because that’s what I wanted.

Sedona, AZ: A special evening of rhythm and unity, Celebrate the Sedona Spirit: Collaborative Meditation for Global Healing, will be held at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, behind Red Rock High School, on November 12, 2011 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

It is a free-admission community gathering put on by the newly opened Sedona Meditation Center that expects a crowd of 700 people from in and around Sedona. A host of artists are preparing to bring the spirit of Sedona to the stage in a musical concert, including well-known Taiko drummer, Ken Koshio, Vusi Baba Shibambo who plays the African drums, and Sedona’s Rhythm, a local Korean power drumming performance troop. Lively chorus music will be also be performed by Red Rockapella and A La Mode; Hip Hop group, Light Vibe will give an exciting demonstration to drums, and Shondra Jepperson of Tom and Shondra Entertainment will serve as the host.

Special guest Ilchi Lee will present on the topic of Collaborative Meditation, a group meditation that will rise to new heights in the 700-person auditorium. He will also give a performance and lead a style of collaborative healing that is practiced every Friday at 6:00 pm at the Sedona Meditation Center.

Lee is the author of The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart (BEST Life Media, 2011), his most recent book and his 33rd on the topic meditation, peace and global healing. He is also an educator, mentor, and trailblazer who has devoted himself over the last 30 years to developing the awakened brain and teaching energy principles through numerous mind-body-spirit techniques. For that purpose he founded Sedona Mago Retreat, a place for spiritual awakening located in the wilderness of Arizona’s red rock country.

The Sedona Meditation Center is a special project of Dahn Yoga Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The center has a mission to inspire people to connect to their inner rhythm, to improve well-being and promote peace and happiness in the local community.

Celebrate the Sedona Spirit is a unique event that promises to be one of intimate sharing, dance and song, drumming and uplifted hearts. While the event is free to everyone, the Sedona Meditation Center asks attendees to RSVP by calling 928.282.3600 or emailing info@sedonameditationcenter.org.

By Dylan R. Marshall

I feel so blessed in my life because of many things.

One of those things is talking with people.

My guest is Haejung Jung, a warm, open, and kind woman.

She is a teacher.

We are sitting in the Sedona Meditation Center room as we do the interview.

It is very peaceful.

The energy of the room is harmonious and calm.

Come and join us!

By Jungah Ahn

It was 1996 June when I came to Sedona for the first time. For me, it was first time to be out of my country, Korea. I was a little nervous to see what would happen to me.

It took almost one day to get to Sedona. I was totally exhausted when I arrived at Phoenix airport. But as soon as I arrived in Sedona, I was amazed by its beauty. I never saw that many red rocks in all kinds of shapes. Every rock seemed alive and told a story. For some reason, the sky seemed so clear and open. I grew up in very busy city and I could see the sky between buildings. But in Sedona, I could see the sky right in front of me. I could feel that special energy of Sedona and it recharged me right away.

I went to Bell Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Everyone I met was so kind and gentle. I was impressed by the ettiquette of people in Sedona.

One of strongest experiences that I had was meditating at the heavenly steps. I don’t remember the exact name of the place. There used to be a water fall and wide water stream but every thing was dried. The guide was Ilchi Lee. He helped us to send our spirits to the heaven above the steps.

As soon as I flew, I went through seven rainbow-colored universal dimensions or something. I was 23 years old and it was my first time to have such a powerful spiritual experience. I flew really fast and passed through all seven colors of the universe and reached a really bright light. I thought that was heaven. But I kept flying more and reach a dark and empty space.

I didn’t know where I was. Then I realized that I was standing on a planet. There was nothing except rocks. I saw a light was blinkling behind the rock. It told me two things through telepathy. It said, “It is not time for me to come back yet. You should finish your mission before you come back. Please finish your mission with the man who guided you to come here. Also, you should introduce your dad to the man.”

After I came back, I couldn’t fully understand what the message meant. Since then, I have been able to communicate with my spiritual guides. They are giving me wisdom and messages about what I should do for growing my spirituality and helping people.

The experience that I had in Sedona totally changed my life.

Thank you!