Sedona Story

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 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 Tonya Whelan

A woman told Yolessa and me about her experience the day at Oak Creek Canyon had recently inspired her by helping her to find solutions to major issues in her daily life.

As she left she told us that a little meditation and yoga also helps.

By Dylan R. Marshall

Nikki, Steve, and the Rest of the Pack

Nikki, Steve, and I continue to talk about

Relationships
Marriage
The Universe
And my dreams that keep giving me Deja Vu’.

Insightful and wonderful people, I am a better person today because I met them!

Enjoy!

By Ann-Marie Ahye

Our arrival was heralded by an apparent opening of the skies. Having left the main highway north of Phoenix, we drew closer to our destination. Yet, there was still not glimpse of the ‘hidden city’ which was shrouded by plateau sculpted mountains. Now, upon ourimminent approach, we were greeted by celestial rays that pierced the rain-filled clouds. The darkness was shattered by flashes of lightnign and a mysticla rainbow crested above the entrance to our Sedona abode. A distinct and rarified quality could be sensed in the air of this sacred portal, that we had newly entered.

Early next morning as my bare feet caressed the soft red earth with mtual adoration, Jo’s belly was resting down intoa sunken hollow where new life was being breathed. The energy of Bell Rock resonated through us and we werew in a divine flow. we had come to Sedona to be with the land and to connect as pilgrims. We bathed, in the beauty of the vistas and were drunk with a holy pleasure that saturated our being. With open hearts we circled the Tibetan Stupa and placed our prayer requests at the foot of the Buddha. At the Chapel of the Holy Cross we lowered our heads in prayerful gratitude.

While some visitors milled around in a tourist-like haze, it was clear, that beyond the stunning visual effects that Sedona aoffers, there is something much more sublime that it shares with those who really show up. You are inspired to be still, to listen and to feel deeply as the spirit of Sedona whispers to you. Its majesty beckons you to remember your true, natural an dessential self. As you take in the vast and wondrous earth-scape you are drawn to meet the very same, in the fabric of your own being. The physical and etheric qualities of Sedona spiral within and awaken primardial spirit.

Daily, the red earth tones of both land and sky caressed us, as a mother’s womb nurtures her own. Sedona is not only a spectacular land but, it is generously replete with opportunities for accessing clarity and healing. As you treat lightly and with reverence your path will be illuminated.

On our final morning, along the Little Horse Trail, we spotted a dry creek that would offer a prime backdrop for a Yoga photo op. As I perched myself on a ledge, Jo began to pause with incredulous enquiry. “What’s that light?” she kept asking? Appearing in the shots was a beam of loight that we could not discern with our naked eye. Yet it was there as the photos testify.

This light effect is symbolic of the mystery that Sedona seeks to reconnect us with. Just as the sacred city isn’t visible from the main thoroughfare, yet it is right there, shrouded by the mountains, so too, spirit appears hidden, yet it is right here. Just beyond what the eye can see, there is a radiance that blesses, guides and supports us. It streams around and through us, reminding us to come ‘home’ to the truth of who we are.

The call of Sedona simply must be heeded. Give yourself fully to its sonic flare.

By Frank Hughes

I had the pleasure of spending the day with a rambunctious 13-year old yesterday, a daughter of friends visiting from Germany. After touring Flagstaff, she wanted to see a movie, so we watched Miyazaki’s wonderful Spirited Away.

The movie is about a young girl who has gotten lost and the many spirits that she meets throughout her journey. It’s one of a few animated movies that really make you think afterwards. It got me thinking about Sedona with all its spiritual qualities and how we, as just human beings, fit into this spirituality.

It reminded me about an event and short lecture that I attended just last week. A new book about Sedona was recently released, The Call of Sedona, Journey of the Heart. It’s about one man’s journey from a far off land to Sedona, and the calling he felt when he got here. This event was the official book-signing. Many hundreds of people attended, many were residents, but also many came from neighboring states and even two that I met were visiting from Europe.

There was a nice variety of entertainment from an enthusiastic drumming group to soul-filling music, to wonderful dancing by two very magical women. Wow, what a nice start.

Then there were a variety of speakers, including Bob Coates, a very well-known local photographer (among many other talents), Rev. Janet Kingsley, and Dean Patterson of the Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters Organization, which Mr. Lee highly supports.

It’s funny how sometimes you just feel content with the world, kind of like “one with everything around you.” This is how I felt at this moment… After an introduction by his son who is in charge of a local consulting company that is working on projects for bettering Sedona and bringing spiritually-oriented visitors to our city, the author, Ilchi Lee, took the stage.

Mr. Lee talked about how he was drawn to Sedona some years ago because of the spirituality he felt here. He went into debt to open a meditation center here to help grow the spirituality that surrounds all of us. That is the Sedona Mago Retreat that he then turned into a free-standing, non-profit organization with many spiritual growth programs. Mr. Lee reiterated during his talk that everything you need to grow spiritually, you already have inside yourself. It’s already there and you only need to realize it. What he said that he wants is to help in any way he can as a “guide” to help everyone to see their true selves. He enthusiastically added that the Sedona Mago Healing Center will turn into a non-profit Sedona Meditation Center. You could feel the caring in the room.

Mr. Lee introduced a woman who, through the spirituality of herself and others supporting her by sending healing energy to her (what Ilchi Lee calls “LifeParticles”), was able to reduce the size of an inoperable cancerous cyst deep down in her brain to the point where her doctor said she was cured of her condition. No matter what religion we may be, we all know about the healing powers that we ourselves have, especially when helped by a group of people dedicated to assist. The story she told sent wonderful shivers down my spine. Wow, how can I help others like that…

In concluding his talk, Mr. Lee was asked to play his flute for us, which we all enjoyed. Then he invited us all up onto the stage to have our books signed by him. Then we got to see a group photograph of many of the local people that help support his vision and the many programs and companies in Sedona that support our community. So much energy given just to help others…

By Patricia Groves

Heavy, whipped cream clouds drop low on to Bell and Courthouse as I hike the ravine between.

Crisp, fresh air makes its way in to warm, moist lungs emitting puffs of floating vapor.

The desert floor, a thick base of frozen, red mud, covered in thin layers of white snow.

A slight crunch from each step of hiking boots in the early morning stillness.

So quiet, so still, so strange between the shadowy, monstrous formations.

My heart races as my mind realizes my total aloneness. A quickened pace. Wanting to stay. Wanting to go.

Sculpted stone chairs surrounding an old firepit create space for meditation.

A most welcome respite from a heavy backpack and boots ladened with mud. A nearby stick relieves the hardened burden from my feet.

Crunches of a fragrant apple, swigs of half frozen water, on my feet and walking.

The sound of my footsteps. The sound of others. I stop and listen. All is quiet.

The sound of my footsteps. The sound of others. I stop and listen. Again, all is quiet.

Large tracks, freshly sunk in to the frosty mud, loom in front of me.

A smile touches my lips as I quietly and expectantly move forward.

Ahead of me, not more than fifty feet stands an elk amid the junipers. Leather tan, muscular and handsome.

We stand still observing one another. Checking each other out. Friend or foe?

We both breathe shallow, quickened breaths. His with a soft snort. Mine with rasping excitement. Both with clouds of vapor.

An eternal moment passes between us. A knowing and understanding quickly lived.

Four running legs and a graceful leap take a seven hundred pound body over the forest boundary fence.

Amazement and awe overwhelm me.

The peace I sought evelopes me.

The magic of the moment forever with me.

By Loretta Jane Hido

[This post is an excerpt. To read the full story, click here.]

I took it really hard… It is a hard thing to watch someone you love
and respect and admire wither away to nothing and then you watch them suffer and die…WOW…What a wake up call!

So, being a middle child and being so hurt inside and confused and upset (like…WHY do bad things happen to good people??) I gave 30 days notice at the job I had been at for years…
I bought a big map of the United States of America.
I am going on a road trip and I am going to see the places and things I have always read about or heard about in the United States…
and I am going to LIVE and I am going to heal and take a journey…

I highlight places like:
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone
Salt Lake City
Reno
Tahoe
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon
Phoenix
Four Corners
Branson

Off I go…My Dads passing “made” me live…

I leave my small home town of McKean, Pa (near Erie, Pa)
and went from Pa all the way to California and down and
around…
Going 10,000+ miles and hitting 21 states…
Driving, photographing, hiking, thinking and healing…

While driving from Las Vegas heading to Phoenix
I took a turn off the beaten path and went on 89 South
headed toward Prescott when I saw a little sign saying
“Sedona”…? Hmmmmm…Didn’t I once hear about someone
saying IF you are ever in Arizona to stop in Sedona?
Hmmmmmmmmm? Why ? What is there I thought?
So, I made a U-turn and headed toward Sedona…
I didn’t know why…I didn’t know what was there…
Heck, it isn’t even ON my map???

Oh well, off I go…Up and over the mountain and thru
Jerome…it is dark, the roads are scary…I see nothing
but stars as I drive up and over and down into
Cottonwood and I venture up into Sedona on 89…
It is dark, almost 11pm, I see nothing in Sedona…
It is dark, small quiet town…Hmmm….? What is here?
Well, I see nothing…but…I do see Hwy 179 leads to
the Interstate and I can get back on track and head
South on Interstate 17 to Phoenix..

I stop at the gas station at the “Y” on 89 to fill up….
I get in my bronco and NO brakes!! I can push the
pedal right to the floor! Holy Moly!
I HAVE to stop here…I HAVE to stay the night here…
I HAVE NO BRAKES!!!???

So, as I am looking under the bronco and looking at the
tires and such an elderly man comes from no where and
asks me if I am having a problem with the car?
I say to him, well, it appears that I have no brakes!
So, he checks the bronco out for me and says…
“You’re not going anywhere tonite “…you have no brakes
…
So I ask…where am I ? And is there anywhere to stay here?!
He laughs and makes a few phone calls and he gets me a place
to stay at a bed n breakfast here in town…
He has me follow him and tells me how to handle the brakes and
such and that in the morning he’ll get me to the tire place and get
me settled up with new brakes…and he’ll make sure I am taken
care of!
I asked him IF he worked at the gas station? He said NO, he is just
a local.
So, I follow him to where I will spend the night.
The next morning he came and got me and we went to the tire place
and he made sure the guys took good care of me and my bronco
got fixed up right.
I stayed for breakfast then at the bed n breakfast and I was in AWE
with what I have just woken up to in Sedona!

I am like…where am I ?
I ended up getting my brakes fixed and stayed a few days here in this
beauty…
I hiked. I had my vortex experience! I KNEW this was my new home!
This is where I would heal….This felt good. This felt right.
This is where I was meant to be. This is where the universe and God has stopped me….!!

I finished my trip across the United States…21 states, 10,000+ miles.
I left Pennsylvania in October of 1996…left my Mother all my sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews and friends…my whole life…
to start anew and to heal here in Sedona, Arizona…
I have been here since 1996 and my spiritual journey has never ended.
Every day I wake up and just think to myself…WOW…what a
place to be…Mother Nature at her best…! Gods country…

And it only took me 10,000+ miles on my journey to get here…