Sedona Story

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

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

Here are some of the answers we received.

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 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 Dylan R. Marshall

Nikki and Steve on Bell Rock, where they were married 21 years ago today!

I was hiking up Bell Rock with two dear friends, Michelle and Paul night before last. The sun was setting, and Bell Rock was stunning as always.

Seated on the stones was a couple enjoying the sunset and the energy of Bell Rock. Michelle went over and asked if they wanted their picture taken. They did, and the four of us began to talk.

Nikki and Steve have been married 21 years today!

And the big moment took place …

on Bell Rock!

Their story is truly delightful … with lots of extra bits.

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 Elizabeth Bishop

I had never heard of Sedona. One afternoon while sitting at my janitor’s desk on the Indian reservation, I heard a knock at the door. “Deborah, is that you?” Pushing the door open, I greeted her. She was one of my co-workers who often dropped by to check on the work orders.

Little did I know her presence was to set an ominous chain of events in motion. As if scanning the horizon for an answer only I could give, Deborah turned in my general direction. I noticed she had a far away look in her eyes. What was she seeing?

While making a circular gesture with her hands, she spoke in rather a low voice, “Elizabeth, what are you doing? Can you leave work? You need to go to Sedona right now.”

Click here to read the rest of this story.

By Michela Mangiracina

On Saturday, July 30, 2011, SedonaStory.com hosted its first annual Live Storytelling event in the Cheers parking lot next to the Sedona Story store in Uptown Sedona. Almost one hundred people passed through the open air event, despite an intermittent light drizzle.

Local musician and actress Shondra Jepperson MC’d the occasion, which featured performances by the drum team Sedona’s Rhythm, hula dancer and Sedona Story manager Hansori Keliikuli accompanied by belly dancer Aziza, modern dancer Yolessa K. Lawrinnce, and ballroom dancers Sam and his partner.

The main thrust of the evening was the live storytelling contest, in which anyone could register and tell their Sedona-related story to the crowd. Bearcloud, a local artist and gallery owner, opened the contest with his testament to the singularity of Sedona’s spirit. He used Native American drumming and chanting to help the audience feel that spirit. The winner of the contest, which was judged by BEST Life Media publisher Jiyoung Oh, Sedona city councilor Barbara Litrell, and Friends of the Posse Grounds president Madeleine O’Callaghan, was Sue Ostapowich of Canada. Sue received a gift certificate to the Uptown Sedona store Peace Place. All open mic participants received a water bottle with a 20% off coupon to the BR Clinic.

Prizes were also awarded to participants in the trivia raffle. Individuals who signed up for the SedonaStory.com biweekly e-newsletter were entered into the raffle and four were chosen to participate in a trivia contest. They answered questions related to Sedona, with the winner, Curtis Hudson of Sedona, receiving a turquoise necklace made by local artist and acupuncturist Banya Lim. Runners up were also given prizes: Chun Bu Kyung Wisdom Cards and Healing Chakra Wall Art from BEST Life Media and framed calligraphy by Ilchi Lee from Sedona Story.

Finally Shondra announced the winners of the Sedona Storyfest Contest. The sixty entries to the contest in the Audio/Video, Picture, and Writing categories had been thoroughly considered by SedonaStory.com staff. Three in each category were awarded gift certificates donated by contest sponsors, and the grand prize winner of all the entries was awarded $500. All winners who were not present were mailed their award certificates and prizes.

And the winners are:

Grand Prize:
- Randy Fridley

Writing Category:
- Dean Merrell
- Loretta Hido
- Elizabeth Bishop

Picture Category:
- Carol Rongholt
- Bonnie Sedan
- John Beck

Audio/Video Category:
- Carl Bring
- Margaret Emory
- Elizabeth Bishop

SedonaStory.com would like to thank all who attended and participated in this annual celebration.

By Tonya Whelan

Yolessa and I found one woman who had a particularly lovely experience to share with us at Bell Rock, and a way to help her deal with the death of a beloved pet.

By EJ Lim

Living in Sedona, I make frequent visits to Bell Rock, but until I met Ilchi Lee, I had never really thought about what kind of mindset I should have to climb up Bell Rock. Luckily, when I was climbing Bell Rock with Ilchi Lee, my spiritual teacher, he stopped at the entrance to talk about the mindset one should have when climbing Bell Rock. I feel that, now, I have a better idea of what attitude to have when addressing nature. This is my video interview of Ilchi Lee. Just as it was very helpful to me, I hope that his words and his wisdom are helpful to you, too.