Sedona Story

By Barbarita de Jesus Tomaszewska

The mystical beauty of Sedona is a luminous place to be for any celebration. There I feel a harmony and spiritual connection with God and with nature. I always enjoy going to Sedona, a place I visit often throughout the year. There are four beautiful seasons experienced in Sedona; each highlighted by the radiating appearance of its own beauty. Summertime brings sunshine that illuminates the deep blue sky. In the winter I saw Sedona with the exquisite snow on the red rocks, draping the trees like a wedding dress worn by a new bride. Spring blooms from winter, blanketing the fields with wildflowers. In the fall the leaves change to orange and yellow, the color of gold. During the rainy monsoon season I witnessed vibrant rainbows arching across the beautiful skies of Sedona.

Sedona’s main attraction is its stunning array of red sandstone formations, the Red Rocks, for which she is famous. The formations of colorful layers of rocks appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The Red Rocks form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails. The famous rocks: Bell Rock, Thunder Mountain, Coffee Pot, Sugar Loaf Hill and Cathedral Rock are transcendental. Through the year, people from around the world come to celebrate their honeymoons and much more. This is evident by just walking through the streets of Sedona. One can hear a variety of languages#mdash;too many to count. Sedona is also a haven for artists and art lovers. All the colors of Sedona inspire the art that fills the walls of the many local galleries. Everybody seems happy and glowing because of the majestic beauty of Sedona. Likewise, Sedona is a wonderful place for growing a spiritual and personal relationship with God. His presence is felt wherever you go. As someone said: “God created the Grand Canyon, but He lives in Sedona.” For these reasons, I would like to live there too. The bright side is that I’m living nearby, so I am able to enjoy the beauty of Sedona more often.

One year, just after Christmas I spent three days at my friend’s cabin in Sedona. The place was quite solitary, deserted with a variety of beautiful cacti. From the cabin I saw Cathedral Rock, and further down was Oak Creek flowing with crystalline water. There was no cellphone signal, no radio, no TV, no connection with the outside world. It was amazing. Just God and me … and the javelinas. In the mornings I was able to see delightful sunrises. Each morning, birds rose with the sun singing marvelous melodies glorifying the Creator. I enjoyed the divine music. In the evenings I was delighted with the sunsets. One afternoon, I cherished the full moon rising behind the red rocks and meditated on the beauty of God. It was breathtaking. I do not need any words to praise God when watching His Creation for I believe His Creation speaks for itself. I treasure that time in my friend’s cabin and every time I have spent in Sedona since.

On September 14, 2011, I was celebrating my 33rd anniversary of my Consecration. After the morning Thanksgiving Mass, I went to Sedona to continue the celebration. When I arrived there, I parked my car, and went for a walk on Main Street. I visited galleries, shops, and especially jewelry stores. After a while it started to rain, and I went to a tavern for a glass of local, delicious beer. Later, I drove up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. I stayed in the chapel for a while, prayed, and I was delighted in the beauty of God looking around the chapel through the windows. Outside it was raining cats and dogs, and there were puddles in the road. I decided to head back to Flagstaff. While I was driving north on highway 89A, colorful rainbows came up one after another. The colors were red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. There were two rainbows at the same time. I’ve always seen a rainbow in the sky, far away from me, but this time I was inside of the rainbow. While I was driving home, a rainbow was up from one side of the road to the other side, and I was inside of the arc, like in a colorful glowing tunnel. Sometimes I was in one rainbow, other times I was inside of two beautiful rainbows. That was amazing. Seems like time stopped, and I was in another dimension. It was like from the Bible: the alliance between God and me. It was the sign of the covenant that God makes between Himself and me forever from the day of my Baptism when I was 6 days old. Even this day I was sad and crying, missing my family, as all of them are in Heaven. Somehow, through the rainbow I was connected with God and with them. It was a divine connection. What a glorious day! Without rain there are no rainbows. Every time, when I am driving to Sedona on 89A, with joy, I remember the two rainbows that I saw on September 14, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

I invite you to visit the mystical beauty of Sedona. There you will experience the many seasons of Red Rock Country and connect with God.

These miraculous things could only happen here, in this spiritual place because God lives in Sedona.

Shaeri's Self-Published Book

by Dylan Reese Marshall

SHAERI RICHARDS

I first met Shaeri at a table read for the Paul Boyce mocumentary “The Sweat Lodge”…we did the movie and it was an amazing experience.

Shaeri is a woman of many talents and many skills.

She is, without a doubt, a beautiful soul.

Shaeri and her delightful dog, Muzzie

I am blessed to have a  connection with her.

It had been awhile since we had sat together and held palaver…and I am thrilled to be able to share it with you.

Enjoy this learned woman’s insight into Loving yourself…

The Unparalleled Beauty Of The Red Rocks

It’s in two parts for your listening pleasure!

Many Blessings of Light and Love to you ALL!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Open links in a new tab on your browser so you can listen and read the latest articles.

Franklin Hughes has recently posted two wonderful pieces.  Check them out!

Heart of Sedona- Shaeri Richards Part One

Heart of Sedona- Shaeri Richards Part Two

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 Alina Pikula

I came to Sedona to find peace. I wanted to experience quiet meditation and visit me inside of me.

When I saw the red rock I was overwhelmed with its beauty and power. I couldn’t wait to touch it with my feet.

Bell Rock was magnificent and proudly welcomed me. I needed to ask permission to enter. It felt right.

I climbed up gently but with strength. Some passages were not too easy. The challenge was welcomed.

I sat to rest and feel the wind in my ears. Almost right away I felt like a fly. I circled above and then flew inside of Bell Rock. There was a cave. Just a cave, but the light was bright. Something sparkled. I looked around with curiosity and a man walked in. I only saw his blue eyes. He talked to me through his eyes.

He told me to trust myself and never give up. After that he left. I will never forget the feeling. A feeling of quietness and happiness. When I opened my eyes I was still sitting on a red rock with the wind playing with my hair.

Even today I feel eyes of that man and can create the feeling that he left me. To me that was real.

I came back to Sedona several times and I believe one day I will stay there for good.

By Del Lawrence

Photo courtesy of Jordan Diamond

I went to Sedona to visit with my daughter during the spring time; she had recently moved from New York and I was curious to find out where Sedona was located and what the place was like. I had only heard of Sedona in passing Geography. I arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport after travelling from Toronto, Canada, travel time 3 hours travelling from Toronto Central time zone to Arizona Mountain time zone, there was 3 hours’ time difference to which I had to get used to. My first visit to Sedona was for a 3 day weekend. I stayed at the beautiful Sedona Mago Retreat Centre, to see the red bricks that were similar in colour to the rocks of Sedona, with the backdrop of pristine wilderness and huge red rocks was amazing. I have never seen a place like this before. The quietness that existed—it is as if amidst that quiet environment, my mind, body and spirit became very relaxed.

On a couple of occasions we journeyed from the Centre, travelling along the pristine red dirt rocky road, and for miles there were no buildings, only desert land, cactus and scattered vegetation, passing all this on our way into the town of Sedona for supper at a fine dining restaurant.

The next day I woke up early and joined the group in meditation and prayer. At the retreat centre, I was introduced to a form of relaxation therapy in the form of special massage techniques and this was very relaxing and for the entire day, I felt very relaxed and had a calming spirit.

My daughter and I visited one of the national parks and I was most impressed with the preservation of the environment and the natural habitat. The formation of the rocks was a sight to behold, they had their definite shape as if they were carved by God and they were just sitting there as if they were wonders of the universe. I began to ask questions as to why Sedona was so beautiful and why those huge rocks. I have never see such wonder, such perfect shapes. The closest that I have come to seeing such wonder was when I visited Alberta, Canada and there were huge rocks but they were natural colour. The mystical energy of Sedona was amazing. I think of Sedona as the Garden of Adam and Eve. There was this rock called “Bell Rock” because it shaped like a bell, we tried climbing it, the sun was too hot and the rock was so hot that it could be used for sauna. There were markers in the park and this was placed there should visitors need to find their way back. The rocks were like between God and man the unspoken word of something eternal. The wilderness reminded me of watching the John Wayne cowboy movies; the background in the films looks like Sedona, especially when driving on the road to the Mago Retreat Centre.

When we visited the town, the many shops along the way, with so much to sell, the various artistry, psychic readings, Sedona jewelry were all very tempting. The people were amazing and all so ready to assist. I ended up buying a beautiful piece of crystal which I currently have displayed in my office on my credenza.

As I looked around, I noticed that there were several churches, almost on every corner. I wondered why so many churches? The houses and the landscape all blend so beautiful amidst the red rocks. There were only low rise residential homes and condominiums. This gave Sedona that vacationing community feel.
I wondered about the soil, water minerals from all those rocks and the effects on mankind. The flow of the water in the rivers, how clean was it. I thought to myself that since there were lots of cactus plants that there had to be lots of water underground. Driving back to Sky Harbour, the travelling route was amazing, great roads and very scenic route.

I would not mind visiting Sedona more often. There is no ocean nearby and I love the ocean, but because of all the other wonderful attributes, Sedona is absolutely wonderful for a relaxed and stress free lifestyle. I think of Sedona as that beautiful gift to mankind—“An American Gem.”

By Nikki and Steve

We try to come to Sedona every year for our anniversary. We got married here at Bell Rock 21 years ago. We just go with the flow while we’re here. We recommend not making plans when you come to Sedona. Don’t feel like you have to rush through it. Just give yourself the moment to feel it.

The stars above Bell Rock were UNBELIEVABLE during our trip this year. What amazed us in looking into the night sky is that we saw so many satellites. I mean literally no less than 9 in the time we were out there. That tells you how much our skies have changed from the days 21 years ago that we slept under those same stars.

After climbing onto Airport Mesa and Bell Rock, we were both exhausted and tired (this is where the realization of us getting older comes to play). It makes us really appreciate how fast time flies, and that it was just yesterday that we started our 21 year journey. Now we are much older, and much more appreciative of what we have with one another, as well as being much more in love today, than the day we started this journey.

Here are some of the pictures of the red rocks we took this year. Although the skies may change and we may change, they always seem to stay the same.

By Beatrice Keeber

Sedona—endless skies, timeless red rock beauty, ruins that speak eloquently of the long history of living-striving-loving people among the red rocks, their rock-art messages in ancient gathering places—not understood but deeply felt, and the small-town-friendly ethic of so many Sedonans of today—all of these are Sedona to me.

Coming to Sedona for many years with my husband, escaping Michigan winters, we savored all those things that together, for us, formed the “heart” of Sedona. Eventually, I had to return to Sedona alone, sore in heart and spirit.

All by myself one day at Palatki, drinking in the feelings I detected in the pictographs, wondering about their messages, I felt a crowd of people surrounding me. Turning in surprise to see the tourists who had come up the trail so quietly, I found I was still alone. But I was embraced by warmth, acceptance, friendship, love. A hand held mine—but there was no one there. I gave myself over to being part of something I could not understand&mdashaccepted, loved.

The rocks and pictographs spoke again to me of time—of which I am such a momentary participant, of beauty—which endures forever in obvious and hidden places, of human history—the enduring story of people long ago, today and tomorrow, of we, and me—a small part of that parade. I was touched by … something! … in a way that could only be felt, not described. I think it was love and friendship, received and given, both timeless and immediate. I was complete again, no longer the left-over half of a broken pair, but myself—a part of this world, this universe, this continuum—a part of All.

At the University of Life, the curriculum contains many courses, the most important being Love. It’s the one course I think we MUST pass to graduate. In Sedona, I found a rich mother-lode of that treasure, in the sky, the history clinging to the rocks and ruins, the whole flavor of Sedona and its people, our history, and my future—of many yesterdays and today and tomorrow. All I needed for my homework. Whole again, with Sedona in my heart, l believe I’ll pass that course in time to make it to my graduation with honors.

By Tonya Whelan

Yolessa and I asked people on the street “What Does Energy Mean To You?”

Here are some of the answers we received.

By Christine Marostica

I was a student at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 1995, and that was year I first saw Sedona. I came down from Flagstaff into a world that was so natural and beautifully stunning. I felt empowered to believe in myself as I played upon the red rocks. From within myself I could sense that life was now waiting for me. Life called to me in Sedona to become a healer. Just like everyone else, I had absorbed the pure Sedona energy and life has been a wonderful journey since. As I took in the magical vistas, back in 1995 my life had really then just begun. Sedona’s magic is that it brings you to life.

By Linda Petty

The red rocks of Sedona
Take my breath away
I hear an echo –
“Welcome Home”
the message seems to say

My spirit flies
As magic flows
Around this sacred space
I raise my head
And feel the warmth
Of sun upon my face

In quiet contemplation
Connecting with my soul
My spirit soars above the
Clouds
In this moment,
I am Whole