Day one of our Spiritual Journey exceeded any expectations. We left Las Cruces eager and excited, especially when we began rolling. Our bus drive Mike from El Paso is an easygoing guy and accommodating to the ridiculous amount of luggage we brought for just four days. However, in our defense, we did bring chairs, drums and mats for meditation and yoga. We played a great icebreaker game that was uproarious.The journey was sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Living Las Cruces and proceeds after costs are to go the Center.
In Socorro, NM we had lunch at a classic old school diner that's been there for like forty years. Huge portions and fun atmosphere. We picked up 5 new travelers. As we made the next hour to Albuquerque people chatted excitedly and got to know each other. In Albuquerque we picked up 5 new passengers at the Albuquerque Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living. Our travelers include 3 ministers, 4 yoga instructors, 3 registered practitioners and a few medical professionals, a very distinguished group of trekkers. We played another icebreaker game that was hilarious and opened the floodgates for folks to talk their hats off. What fun. Everyone has his or her own reason and intention for being here. I asked each person to bring a journal write down his or her intention for this journey.
The bus is completely full and our host made chocolate chocolate cookies and a host of baked goods, chips, crackers, drinks and fruit. We’ve enough food that if we were stranded we'd be good for a month.
We meditated and drummed outdoors at the Sky City Casino amphitheater and enjoyed the wind, clouds and Ravens cawing. We would have Ravens as companions our entire journey. Next day we woke and did a group meditation and Yoga stretching led by one of the great instructors, Yvonne then Pam. Our next stop was Acoma Sky City atop a mesa 360 ft. above the desert floor. On the way there I told the story of its history and culture. It was such an amazing and powerful experience for everyone. People were impressed with our guide's Geri's humor and knowledge. Some of us climbed down the ancient path with centuries old foot and hand holds. Breathtaking and precarious and we were sure sore days afterwards.
Visiting the Navajo Nation Museum was very moving and emotional for many. In fact it stirred some serious guilt, shame and self-loathing in quite a few. I knew of the Navajo Long Walk already and used their feelings in the evening meditation and talking circle. I felt the guilt transmute into a sense of spirituality and faith as we talked. It was my responsibility to steward spiritual matters and I welcomed the opportunity. These are all seekers on this journey. Each had an individual intention, which I asked them to write in their journals. As our trip continued the lightness was palpable on people's faces and in their energy field. Many said, on the final day of our Spiritual Journey, they were just beginning to let go and would have liked four more days.
Canyon de Chelly is so spiritually powerful that some even had visions of its inked walls before we went. They expressed it during the meditation groups I host and didn't know what it was. We went in groups along with guides in trucks and jeeps. I played my flute for people at various places along the tour one place called Ledge Dwellings had an amazing echo. The finale was a concert I gave out on the lawn of Sacred Canyon Lodge and guests at the lodge joined us as well as some Navajo we invited. I invited my friend flute player Travis Terry to join me on some songs and the audience loved our humor and improvised numbers. It was a magical evening that will never happen again in that ephemeral sense. I performed songs from my new CD "Ancient Grace." In that setting and atmosphere it was received enthusiastically.
Our final morning we stretched, Toned and stood in two circles facing each other. As we stood in silence I began drumming and singing a song I wrote called "I Shall Walk in Beauty" and one by one they joined in chanting. It was absolutely incredible and a perfect way to end our journey. The synchronicities and deja vu moments were so common. Downright mystical. David Salcido, a writer, reporter and filmmaker was along documenting, interviewing and enjoying the experience as an "invisible observer" as he put it. Grateful for his participation and we all look forward to what we will produce together.
One the return trip I invited folks to share their thoughts and say their goodbyes. Their words were so touching and moving with many tears and lots of laughter. One by one they also thanked me with such gratitude I was deeply moved and humbled. I put tremendous amount of preparation into the journey as did our hosts Pat and Cindy Breedlove. It paid off in the sense that each trekker bonded and many experienced the stillness of meditation for the first time ever. The sacred sites we visited will leave a lasting imprint in each of us and I'd like to hope part of our essence remains there as well. I sure hope for the opportunity to do this again.
Randy
These are "some" photos. To view more fantastic photos on Photobucket go to: http://s151.photobucket.com/user/MythCreant/library/Spiritual%20Journey%202014 http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/mwtraveler/story/114613
Loading the bus
Speaking and teaching
Lunch in Socorro, NM
Meditation and drumming Acoma Sky City Amphitheater
Morning meditation and toning
Bernardo and Bob drumming
Morning yoga with Pam
Group at 17th century church San Esteban del Rey Acoma Sky City
Our guide Geri
Ravens were our constant companions every leg of the journey
Finale concert at Sacred Canyon Lodge, Chinlee, AZ
Finale concert at Sacred Canyon Lodge, Chinlee, AZ we had guests and Navajo join us as well.
Group shot with some humor. Though a handful aren't in this shot. Beautiful souls all!