Photo credit: JasonRogersFooDogGiraffeBee

This month, our guest spiritual contributor from Sedona, Greg Drambour, shares some of his personal experiences and muses on his relationship with the red rocks of Arizona.  If you’re local (or from nearby southern Utah like me, or one of our Four Corners area neighbors) I have a feeling you’ll totally relate to the pop-culture impetus of Greg’s post.

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A few nights ago I was watching the movie Forrest Gump (tenth time!) and a rush of gratitude went through me during the scene where he is running through Monument Valley. The rocks there resemble many of the red rock formations here in Sedona. In that moment, I just felt so grateful to be part of this amazing place called Sedona. Suddenly, that beautiful feeling opened a door inside to many realizations about myself and my work here in the Magic Kingdom. I thought I would share them!

My relationship with the Grandfather and Grandmother Rock People (as I refer to them in the Native American tradition) really started when I moved to Sedona seven years ago. But when I look back over the years, I notice whenever I had the chance I was always scaling and scrambling over some rocks. It just made me feel good to be close to them. I felt they were friends.
At first here in Sedona my relationship to the Rock People grew without me noticing it. Every day, I would find some new boulder field or dry creek bed to explore. I felt at home among the rocks. I just kept following my heart and discovering incredible places. I saw how in a few tight situations the rocks saved me. People will ask what do you mean, “Saved you?” I can’t explain that in words, only that I always seem to be guided over them to the safest route or one boulder was exactly where I needed it to be. It was a feeling that they were supporting me. I started thanking them for this help on hikes and climbs. I would stop and talk to them, asking how they were. And soon I began to hear them speak to me. My trust deepened that they would support me on tricky scrambles or boulder-hopping. The Rock People are strong and solid. They have much wisdom they want to offer you if you are open to listening.
On Sedona Vortex experiences, I always feel their support of the mission here in Sedona. I honor their wisdom during Experiences by asking for guidance; they always see the big picture. If I accidentally kick a small rock, I bend down and apologize, asking if it wants to return to its original location or begin a new journey. I always tell clients when we are boulder dancing, “Don’t worry, you are in my personal power and I’ve never had anyone fall.” Perhaps what I really mean is the Grandfather and Grandmother Rock People honor my intent of trust and faith and will not let you stumble or fall. I have never had a client fall nor have I fallen myself in all these years.

When I saw that scene of the Red Rocks in Forrest Gump, I heard myself whispering, “That’s my place, my place.” I felt so honored to be in a relationship with these grand rock formations. To have a place in my life which I am deeply committed too and that commitment is honored. My gratitude for these feelings is overwhelming. I have waited so many years to be able to have these rich feelings and to open myself and take these relationships to a deeper level. Perhaps most of all I am grateful to be who I am. I know many of you, know what I mean. And if you don’t, come to Sedona and I will do whatever I can to guide you back to yourself on a Sedona retreat.

If you show your heart, my friends, if you acknowledge that everything has life, if you trust—you can experience these deep feelings of gratitude and honor.

So on this day in the Magic Kingdom, “I humbly thank all the Rock People and the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks for becoming my friend. I am honored to be kin to you, to be your grandson and brother. My heart is full. I am standing before you. I go, you go. A Ho. A Ho.”

*Dedicated to my beloved, Shyheart.
Greg (the guide)
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This post may be a bit out of the norm for ArizTravel… I mean, it’s not REALLY all about tourism, people and places in Sedona, the Grand Canyon and so forth, BUT when I read our guest blogger’s latest contribution, I just had to post it.

I’ve been watching back-to-back episodes of Showtime’s “Weeds” Season 4, thanks to my Netflix account. And Greg’s experience going to the dentist in Mexico totally made me laugh because I couldn’t help thinking about Weeds characters going to Mexico for cheap Xanax and the like, having to pee in a venti iced Starbucks cup because the line of cars waiting to go in and out of Mexico was so long, etc.

But Greg’s message has a more serious, self-improvement message, delivered in his usual colorful way. Enjoy it… and be sure to hug your monster (read on to get what I mean.)

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Hugging the Monster
Crossing the Arizona Border Into Mexico

Many Arizona residents go to Mexico for dental work because of the dramatic difference in cost. Little did I know what awaited me on my semi-annual dental trip across the border! The day I made the 4.5 hour drive to Yuma and then into Mexico I had stomach cramps and mild diarrhea. It wasn’t bad enough not to go and I had put off the trip twice now, so I had to make the trip.

On the way I was listening to an interview on NPR with Ben Sherwood who wrote a book called “The Survivors Club“. Ben mentioned that all the survivors he interviewed had one thing common: there was a moment when they “hugged the monster”, meaning they embraced what they feared most. At the time, I thought, “Cool way of looking at it.” In matter of hours, I didn’t realize I would be hugging a monster! On the drive I stopped in a few mini-marts looking for club soda which I knew would help the cramps which had gotten a little worse; no luck. Even though I didn’t feel well, I felt safe inside the car so I kept going.

I got to the border-crossing and parked the car and walked the 100 meters across. I figured I would be 45 minutes tops and get back across and try to feel better. As I went by customs, I noticed there was small line of 20 people. This surprised me a little because on the last trip there wasn’t any line. Then I remembered it was winter as opposed to summer when I was there last time so there were probably more “snowbirds”.

The dentist’s office is only few blocks in and it was just a 5 minute wait till he could see me. Cool! First thing he said to me was, “I am surprised you came at this time of the day with the line?” I replied, “Oh, yeah, I saw the line.” He looked at me a little funny and shrugged. He didn’t say anything more about it and we finished half hour later (saving about $1000!) and I walked briskly up the street anxious to get to the car and head back. Now before I tell you what happened next, let me describe one of my big monsters which I have worked on but I guess not enough: It’s a fear of getting stuck some place sick, maybe you can relate! Many years ago, I got stuck really sick in a few places where I couldn’t get help. Even though I had come a long way that fear of feeling helpless was still a little inside me

To continue: I saw the line of twenty people waiting to cross the border up ahead and as I got closer I noticed it curled around the corner. I was thinking, “Oh man, I am going to have to wait maybe 10 minutes, what a pain.” I rounded the corner to get in line and in front of me stood literally a 1000 people waiting in line, stretching maybe a mile! I looked again, thinking it had to be a line for something else, – I’m not sure what; I just simply couldn’t believe it. I will tell you, brothers and sisters, in that moment something inside of me broke. I felt lost, alone, and scared. I thought this just can’t be, I couldn’t accept it. I have spent years avoiding this kind of moment. I could feel the cramping in my gut get worse.

I looked up and down the line of people who seemed relaxed and accepting of the wait. This seemed very strange to me. Why weren’t they outraged! I was standing there looking at one of my greatest fears, being stuck some place sick. The monster! And when fear hits, you know the need to go gets greater! Of course, I am afraid I might have an accident, then what do I do!

I tried to pull it together and think how I could get around this: I could approach a border patrol officer and say I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t think I could stand in line. But something inside me felt that might not be wise given the tension around border crossings these days and also I looked a little straggly that day which might not be good. There was some other reason I didn’t do that which didn’t become apparent to later. Then I thought, I could palm a twenty and approach someone at the front and say, “Hey, Bro, thanks for saving my place.”–flashing the money at them. Again same thing, I just didn’t feel the motivation to try that.

Not knowing what else to do I started to walk back to the end of the line. I remember thinking some thing will happen to save me before I get to the end! The line just kept going on and on! Same thoughts, this just isn’t possible! It was five people across and when I say a thousand people, I am not exaggerating!

I arrive at the end of the line and cue up, like everyone else, another clue to future realizations. It occurs to me I need to do something to distract myself from feeling sick so I thought I have to get charming and talk to the people standing around me! I start chatting to two older women in their mid-sixties standing next to me (there friends).

They were very nice and told me they were snow-birds. One woman says, “She lives in an 8×40 cell (motor home) with the devil (husband)”; the other, in a fifth-wheel with a similar devil! I chuckled inside thinking, even in Mexico I can’t seem to get away from women in unhappy marriages (in my Sedona retreats I seem to attract a lot of wonderful women with similar issues)! I ask them what they are doing in Mexico. “Oh, we just come across to shop once a week, tequila is much cheaper over here.” I say, “Did you know about the line?” She says, “Sure!” I query them, how long the wait is. “About two hours!” OMG, I am think, I won’t make it. Fear runs thru me again. I ask them if they could save my place, I need to use a rest room.

It takes a while but I finally found one. I buy some water and head back, worrying how I am going to spot the two women amidst the thousand people. As I approach the line, they wave. Thank, God! I joked to them, “You knew I might not see you?” They nod and smile, obviously veterans of “the line”! Still feeling queasy I start talking again, letting the funny Greg show up. They tell me some great stories about traveling around the country and life on the road.

As the line moves ahead little by little, Mexican women mill around us selling gum and other little things. I think I need all the good karma I can get and hand them a dollar each when they approach. Incredibly, every time I do, within a minute the line takes a big jump! Wild! Then I guess the word gets out and suddenly there of lots of beautiful little Mexican women asking me for money! I go thru all my singles and tell them I’m tapped. And then I think what the hell and unwrap some of the gum they gave me and pop in my mouth. I don’t think I have chewed gum for 15 yrs! It tasted pretty good!

By this time, my two line-mates and I, have become fast friends and we are yukking it up and laughing. Even though I still feel sick, I think to myself, you’re making it, brother, you’re making it. I ask them, still not quite believing it, “You knew you were going to wait in line for two hours?” They nod, a strange sort of pride on their faces. The first of many realizations that day occurs to me: these wonderful women (who I later refer to as my “line-angels”) are in a separate reality then me. Truly! I get this principle once again in a deeper way.

As I stood there enjoying the gum, it dawns on me why I didn’t try to talk my way across or hand someone money–that was an old behavior from “back in the day” and when I was growing up and I just wasn’t that person anymore. It was a sense of self-importance, that I’m not like everyone else; I don’t have to stand in line! I was suddenly grateful that I naturally didn’t make those old choices.

I look around at the other people in line and I noticed a few interesting things: I was probably the youngest person there. They were mostly seniors and everyone truly did appear accepting of the situation. I heard no one complaining and registered that I hadn’t heard anyone complain in the hour and half I had waited thus far. I wondered if that would’ve been the case with a younger crowd. Perhaps with age comes acceptance and patience. I really absorbed their powerful modeling. I also noticed that I didn’t see anyone smoking. I am not sure what this means but I thought it interesting. Also, I didn’t see any couple getting into it or purposely not talking to each other. Maybe the unity of the situation creates these phenomena, something to consider.

Me and my two line-angels finally round the corner and are only a matter of thirty yards from crossing over. I can’t quite believe I’ve done it. I shake my head a little in gratitude. I turn to my new friends and tell them the bottom truth: “I wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t sure I could handle this but talking with the both of you and your friendliness really made the difference. I don’t think I could have made it without you. You are my line-angels!” They laugh and tell me they were happy they could help.

I enter the customs trailer, show my passport and within seconds I am across! I say goodbye to my angels and head to the car which I have never been so glad to see! I check the time on my cell phone. We waited in the line for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Wow! I never would have believed that I could have done that feeling as sick as I did. I found a deeper strength in me that I didn’t know I had. I hugged the monster! Sometimes, brothers and sisters, the way to get over something is to meet it head-on. It may be scary, even terrifying. But just like me, you can do it.

As I thought about writing this story over the last few months, I felt there was important underlining message I hoped to communicate, that even spiritual teachers have their fears! And it’s ok to have fears, to not judge them or think you failed or you’re not getting “it”.

This was the first of a number of “hugging the monster” events since that day. So, stay tuned! I invite any emails of your own moments of facing your fears.

I thank my teachers and NPR for helping me that day and my two line-angels!

A Ho,
Greg

Gregory Drambour is the owner of Sedona Sacred Journeys, am spiritual retreat organization in Sedona, Arizona. Custom Spiritual Retreats and Healing Sedona Vortex Experiences

Photo credit: cogdogblog on flickr

Have you ever gone on vacation and experienced a great spa treatment, exhilarating hike or profound relaxation?  If you’re like me, you’ve said, “I could totally LIVE here.  I feel so good.  I am going to continue _________ (hiking, relaxing, taking care of my skin/body/health) when I get home.”  And I’ll bet you felt this way especially after visiting Sedona, Prescott, the Grand Canyon, Scottsdale or Flagstaff.  But when you got home, that commitment to living like you’re on vacation got put on the back burner, didn’t it?  Yep, me too.

Today, our guest contributor Greg Drambour has a solution for making your “commitment to self” last well after your bags are unpacked.

Finding Out What You’re Willing To Do In Arizona

My clients on Sedona retreats know this question all to well! Any healing, whether emotional or physical, requires two components for success: One, do you have a desire to heal? Two, what are you willing to do about it? What you are willing to do about it when you are here with me on retreat is one thing but what you are willing to do when you get home each and every day is another thing entirely! That’s why I encourage clients to enroll in my 4-week follow-up program after they return home.

People come to Sedona and have powerful experiences. Then they get back to their life and within a few days or weeks their world overwhelms them and that wonderful feeling is lost. My follow-up program helps to keep the momentum going and to anchor those insights you received here in on your Sedona retreat.

As I am nearing my 29th sobriety anniversary, I have taken some time to look back over the last 29 years. I have noticed two important things: One, when I was in a “doing” place, I was moving forward very fast in my personal growth. And two, when I was working with a coach, mentor, therapist or one of the Holy Men, I was also moving forward at an accelerated rate. I’m with Tony Robbins–we all needs coaches! If not me, then I encourage you to seek someone out. Work with someone for 4 weeks and see if it makes a difference. See if you move forward, even a few inches.  Also, check in with that person every few months at the very least—it’s a win-win!

Sometimes, we have to take small steps into what we are willing to do. As long as it’s not too many small steps that go on forever as way to put off the big step!

Doing equals victory! I have complete confidence in the power of your human spirit and your ability to accomplish the impossible. I have seen it happen too many times, not to believe it.  The act of having faith in this inner power can create miracles.  Don’t underestimate the simple power of faith.  Pick a goal and have faith in it happening.  The impossible being accomplished from faith is just not written about in books, brothers and sisters!  But you have to try to see it work!

So, get into a “doing” place-even its 5 minutes a day but each and every day–see what happens. I think you will be surprised. This column is my “doing”!

A Ho,
Greg

photo credit: lanuiop on flickr.com

Okay, that sounds like a mother’s advice.  And maybe that’s fitting, with Mother’s Day approaching this weekend.

But what this post, another installment from guest blogger, Gregory Drambour, is  encouraging locals and Sedona visitors to do is learn from all the great messages we’ve heard in our lives – our mothers’ lectures (“Be responsible!”), the Golden Rule (“Honor them and they will honor you”), the Boy Scouts’ motto (“Be prepared!”), the inner voice that is Fear (“Something’s not right here, proceed with caution!”), the voice of Reason (“Sun is setting in the West + Trailhead was West = Head West”), and our own positive self-talk (“You CAN do this, stay focused!”).

Greg’s post is, on its surface,  a warning and a checklist for safe hiking in Sedona.  As an experienced orienteer and guide in this area, Greg gives great pointers on staying calm, minding your trail and being prepared.  But on a deeper level, Greg reminds us to both see Fear as a healthy and helpful instinct, and also to use positive self-talk to help guide us to workable and successful solutions in our lives.  Remember that even though you may not be on the path you thought you were on, you can safely see your way to your destination.

Enjoy, and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms and people who have moms.

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Sedona Can Be A Teacher – Confronting Fear

photo credit: heyjohngreen on flickr.com

Yesterday in the early evening I went hiking and climbing for a few hours by myself in the big red rocks above Sedona. I climbed up further then I’ve ever been.
I stopped at a red rock plateau way above the town—what a view of Sedona! I could see all the way to Court House Rock. I felt something pushing me to go further–so up I went—the degree of steepness and danger increased with each ten meters. I was scrambling on a lot of loose rocks which were unstable. I hesitated for a moment but then as always I kept following that gut feeling that has served me so well and kept climbing. I could see that I was nearing a towering red rock face–something kept pulling me towards it.
When I got to the cliff face, I sat down and went into that place of stillness, trusting that there was something that Spirit wanted me to feel or see. After about five minutes nothing came and then I felt inside it was time to descend. I wondered what this inner guidance was all about. As you can probably tell this is a very dangerous place (I would never take clients here—no worries!)
The decent was steep and again a lot of unstable little rocks underfoot. I felt myself being pulled to the left and questioned briefly if that’s why I was drawn to the cliff face. I would not have descended this way but it was only 100 feet from the way I had come up. So I went down and down—always being very careful—talking to myself, “Easy Greg, careful, stay focused”.
I stopped to get some water and looked around. The area I was standing in looked totally unfamiliar and I could not see the way I had come up. As I climb I always make sure I can retreat on the same line. I didn’t see that line! So I could be descending into a cliff drop! A wave of fear ran through my body and I could feel that sinking feeling on the edge of my emotions, ready to sweep in. Having hiked a lot off-trail in the Sedona area, I know how easily you can get yourself into serious trouble very fast. Fifty-foot cliff drops have a way of appearing out of nowhere.
My experience hiking off-trail has taught me a great deal and it really served me well on this beautiful Sedona evening. Now instead of panicking, I sat still for a few moments and do what all good climbers and hikers should do: situation assessment and equipment inventory. I had about one hour max until twilight set in and enough water for at least three hours plus a cell phone that was operational. I just went quieter listening for my inner guidance. After a few moments it guided me to explore the line of descent I was making another a few hundred meters and if nothing appeared to show me a clear way down I would back-track to the cliff face. The fear inside me has eased considerably. I made sure I greeted the little plants along the descent, “A Ho, brothers, A Ho sisters.” Always remembering–if you honor them, they will honor you, which is always my intention with the plant, rock and tree people when I guide clients on Sedona Vortex experiences.
I kept talking to myself as I took one step at a time over the unstable gravel and pebbles, “Easy, brother, one step at a time.” When I got to the distance I had marked, I could see that the topography (finally got to use this word!) appeared to be transitioning into the base of the mountain. Let me stress the word “appeared”. It’s not always as it looks. But my inner guidance said go for it and I did. Within about ten minutes I was safely down at the base!
I was unsure of how far I was from the trail head I had veered off to start the climb but I knew it was the in “that” direction. Again, first stopping to check how much light I had left and to make sure every five hundred meters I was heading the right way, not getting over confident. After about twenty minutes I found the trail and stopped and offered my deepest thanks to the Old Ones and the Rock and Plant People for watching over me.
Why tell this story? I have seen this kind of scenarios end up badly. I saw clearly how I didn’t let fear get me un-centered. I felt the fear and didn’t try and run from it. I let it motivate me to slow down and quiet down even more than I was. I gave my experience a chance to form itself. I was patient and did not get ahead of myself. And I was grateful for my experience to lead me down the mountain safely. I saw that I have truly learned something over the years and was proud of myself.
Ultimately, I was grateful that I followed my inner guidance to climb as high as I did—I wouldn’t have learned as much about myself and trust and using emotions if I hadn’t.
That’s part of living here in the Magic Kingdom called Sedona—you never quite know what a little early evening stroll will bring!
A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: rogerbarker2 on flickr.com

Guest blogger, Gregory Drambour, has some wise words for us all today. I encourage our readers to check out Sedona and the spiritual retreats that are available there. Our website, Sedona.net is a great resource for finding ways to reconnect with yourself in Sedona. Of course, Greg is one of Sedona’s premier retreat providers, so be sure to check him out as well.

When you own who you are–you will tend to attract people who get you.

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Last week during a session with a very courageous client on a Sedona retreat, I asked her this tough question:

Describe yourself to me, tell me who you are.

She really struggled with it and I have found most clients do when posed this question. It’s hard for people to see what is unique about themselves. And we do all have uniqueness but it’s seldom encouraged. So I model for them by telling them how I see myself. Here is an example:
Yesterday, I had aquatic-garden-specialist over at my house to give me an estimate on putting in a goldfish pond and a little waterfall. The waterfall would start at the front of the house, flow into a pond with goldfish and then into a stream, running by the side of the house and into another small goldfish pond at the back of the house. Sounds cool, doesn’t it? After he showed me how it would work, I asked him, “Would the little goldfish from one pond get to visit the goldfish from the other pond?” That’s the me deep inside speaking, that’s Greg in one sentence; knowing that I care about this, makes me smile. I love it when I let this part of me flow out. It took me a long time to own who I am. I want to encourage clients to see who they are and be proud of it.

When you feel yourself deep down, that place feels certain. And also, when you own who you are–you will tend to attract people who get you.
If you’re in relationship and your partner doesn’t get you—then you have a few choices: One, find a way to communicate to them that’s its important they see who you are. Two, consider if you’re with the right person. You deserve to be seen!
I have so many wonderful women who come to my office and tell they don’t feel acknowledged by their mates. And when that happens continually over years, bad things begin to happen. You deserve to be appreciated. Don’t give up.
I want to encourage you right now to take five minutes and write down who you are, what’s unique and special about you. Go for it! Start anywhere. It’s important, brothers and sisters–see your specialness. Let it flow out. I promise you, it will feel wonderful!
Come discover yourself in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona!
A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: carbonNYC on flickr.com

If you asked 10 people who have been in therapy why they started seeing a therapist, I’ll bet 9 would say it was because of a negative experience, past or present.  I think the same goes for people who visit Sedona with the specific purpose of reconnecting with their spiritual side.  But in this month’s post from guest blogger Gregory Drambour, we learn that it can even more beneficial to come on retreat or seek guidance when we’re feeling good about our lives.  Enjoy!

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I got an email from a regular client a few days ago wanting to cancel her phone appointment because she was doing well. Now, this was a client that is working with me prior to her coming here for a Sedona retreat. I have had a handful of clients do this in addition to enrolling in the Long Distance Clearing Work before their trip. I have found that we are getting very powerful results with this pre-retreat work.

I wrote the client back and said I thought it was important to keep the appointment because when you are in a good place you are much more likely to hear something at a deeper level. After I finished the email, it surprised me that I haven’t written about this dynamic sooner because it’s important!

It’s a logical idea: when you are in a low mood or insecure or reactive, it’s hard to hear something deeper. You are in a place of needing an answer and that’s a difficult place to hear something from. I have communicated to clients who are in low-mood and answer to their issue and their response is: “No, that’s not it.” Then half hour later, when there mood is better, I have said the exact same thing and they get it!

I got sober in Minneapolis 25 years ago and I was very lucky to meet a therapist by the name of Joe Bailey. Joe is now a best selling author and a leader in his field. I met Joe very soon after he was introduced to Health Realization, a new paradigm in psychology. Eventually I moved back to New York but every six months would fly back for a little retreat and spend time with Joe and his associates. I was always a wreck when I got there—depressed, angry, sad, etc.. After my third trip, one of Joe’s associates, who always annoyed me with her perceptiveness, pulled me aside and said, “Greg, next time, why don’t you come back when you’re in a better place, you might just hear something!” How annoying! She was right, of course. Thanks, K.

That was very sound advice and one I would encourage people to hear. One of the things I am teaching people is how they psychologically function via an insight. That’s important distinction– thru an insight not their intellect. So it’s much easier to receive an insight when you are in a higher place. When clients who are here on Sedona retreats quiet their negative or unproductive thinking, they hear deeper.

Does this mean you shouldn’t call me or come for retreat when you are in a bad place? No! But sometimes I try to get clients feeling better before I really start to talk to them. Remember, brothers and sisters, nice feelings, higher feelings are always the path to your wisdom. The more you are in them, the more you access your wisdom or live in your wisdom.
So next time you are feeling really good about yourself and your life, give me a call! I invite you to come explore the magic of Sedona with me.

A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: hyperscholar on flickr.com

March is one of my favorite months in Arizona.  The weather is darn-near guaranteed to be perfect for 31 straight days and it smells fantastic outside.  The lemon, orange and grapefruit trees in my yard and north Scottsdale neighborhood are in full bloom and the sweet, intoxicating smell drifts through my open windows.

The thought of opening the windows, airing out my house and engaging in some serious spring cleaning has been a hot topic amongst my friends this month.  But beyond removing dust from shelves and rotating my closet from winter boots and tights to flip flops and sundresses, we concur that spring also a season for clearing out emotional clutter, and replacing dark thoughts with visions of new life, healing and growth.

I can’t think of anyone better to discuss spring cleaning for the soul than Greg Drambour, our favorite spiritual blog contributor.  Greg is a cancer survivor and shamanic healer in Sedona, Arizona.  Here’s Greg’s How-To list on cleaning your  home so you can heal your body, mind and soul.

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The Energy of Your Home

My understanding and knowledge of how important the energy of your home is has deepened in the last three and half years since the cure. You want to get the energy flowing in your home and office environment in a way that’s beneficial for your healing.

There are few steps to accomplishing this:

One, find someone who knows how to read the possible toxins that may be lurking in your home. I am referring to a healer that works on a subtler energy level. For example, the lead may have been removed from the house but the energy still exists at a deeper level. There are individuals who are experts at removing this. And, of course, a conventional toxin evaluation would also be wise.

Two, seek out a Feng Shui consultant; I would strongly recommend a person who is fluent in Form or Compass Feng Shui, which calculates your birth date and the Chinese calendar into the evaluation and recommendations. I find this style much more powerful than westernized Feng Shui or what is called Black Hat Feng Shui. On my property there were three dead trees that were literally in a straight line from one end of the house to the other. They were situated in the Health Section of my property-this was not good! I had them removed right away. I certainly did not want the energy blocked in that area. Whether you believe in this philosophy or not, I would do it anyway-it can’t hurt!

Thirdly, I would smudge or use aromatherapy in the house daily and open the windows. Lemon is what I use in my house and office. Get a state-of-the-art Air Cleaner. Keep the house clean, make it a priority, it will help you keep moving forward, feeling constructive. Remember the powerful words from the great book, Tuesdays With Morrie–”when you’re in bed you’re dead!”

Fourth, there are powerful people who can support you in removing any bad energy in the house. They specialize in extractions of entities or negative energy forms that don’t serve you. Seek them out – the right one will show up. You’re on the path to wellness. God will provide.

Fifth, make sure the polarity on the north and south sides of the house are positive as well as the ley lines. This is something you can fix yourself and will find instructions among the next few articles. I will include it along with some other helpful tips.

Soon after I got the big news that I was well, I rented a room in a house for a few months. The first day there I woke up sick and remained sick literally to the day I moved out two months later. The woman who owned it was a bit lacking on cleaning – the house was very moldy and dusty but the reason I got sick was that place was full of old pine needles from the Xmas tree she had up. My holistic doctor discovered that I was ultra-sensitive to old pine needles! Go figure!

Make your home a sanctuary-it doesn’t cost a lot of money. Go haunt garage sales or Good Will – this is always fun. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good, that inspire you. Don’t overlook the importance of a healthy environment – let your environment reflect how you want to look inside-model to your disease how you want it to look – healed. Heal your home not only inside but also outside.

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For more information about healing the possible emotional contributors to illness, please go to Cancer Survivors or Spiritual Retreats .

Photo credit: harlequeen on flickr.com

Today, another post from guest blogger Gregory Drambour.

A Sedona Vortex Experience
The Day Of The Cougar

A few months ago, it was my honor to guide a very gifted writer on a Sedona Vortex Experience to the Healing Tree Vortex. As we headed down the trail, I felt something behind me. I turned around and saw a little cougar sitting about 30 feet away (clairvoyantly). I thought I would keep walking and see what she did. I felt her following us and so I stopped and let her catch up! I told my client what I was seeing and she was very open to these kind of happenings. The cougar stopped very close to us and sat back on her haunches and looked up at us and cocked her head. She had this beautiful vulnerability about her; her face was full of innocence. She seemed very present. I greeted her and invited her to join our journey. She followed right along with this! It was so amazing.

As we got deeper into the journey I noticed she edged closer to my client, brushing up against her once in a while. I asked the client is she felt and saw the cougar–”Oh yes!” What came up that day for this wonderful client was taking a closer look at some inner child issues. She had forgotten that special little girl that existed inside her, an issue that comes up on manySedona retreats.

We stopped at the Place of The Fairy People, which is just short of the Healing Tree. This is a very special place that always brings instant joy to my heart. There are dozens of little fairies that live under a Grandmother Juniper Tree. The Fairy People immediately tried to make friends with my client. I felt her resisting it and got a clairvoyant-hit that she should shape shift into her little girl. Well, what followed was an enormous breakthrough. You can read about it in her testimonial. I was truly honored to be there to witness it. As we were getting ready to leave, my client turned to me said,

“Where’s the cougar?”

Something suddenly dawned on me! I responded, “The cougar was your little girl!” Emotion overwhelmed me and I felt the tears trying to come. Once again, I was so deeply grateful to do this work. The little girl inside my client knew she was resistant to connect with her, to let her live again. So she shape-shifted into a cougar so she could get close to her adult-self; so she could get her adult-self use to her child-like innocence and openness.

A Ho, Old One, A Ho. Thank you, thank you.
Greg

This week, we got an email from a visitor to our site, Sedona.net.  Shanna from Louisiana had a fairly common question:

Dear Arizona Travel:
How do you find a vortex?
–Shanna
Baton Rouge, LA

Usually when we get this question, we point visitors to our Sedona vortex map and call it a day.  But it got me thinking, “Is following a map really the only way to find a vortex?”  I mean, is a Sedona vortex map little more than an L.A. street-hawker’s $5 map to Hollywood Stars’ Homes? Well… maybe!   I mean, there’s got to be more to it than that, right?

So to better answer Shanna’s question, I turned to our guest blogger, Gregory Drambour of Sedona Sacred Journeys.  As a shamanic healer and guide, Gregory has a real-life how-to guide on finding a vortex… without a map, without a guide.  What he reveals will leave you more satisfied than a tourist in front of  Sylvester Stallone’s Beverly Hills mansion.

iandeth

photo credit: iandeth on flickr.com

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Conversations With A Sedona Vortex Guide
How Do You Find Vortexes?

My thinking might be much different than most people around this question in the title, especially here in Sedona. I believe there are vortexes all over the place! I joke with clients and say, “In an hour, I could find a vortex in Central Park in NY.”

When I first came [to Sedona], I didn’t feel the energy that strongly in the four vortexes listed on the maps; maybe because I was used to the intense power in the Northern Plains where I could hear the Old Ones singing. For the first six months in Sedona, I hiked everyday, sometimes twice a day. After a time, I began to feel my heart and spirit being pulled into unknown places. I allowed myself to explore those places and show my heart to them and I began to discover the intensity of energy I was used too. And thus was born the Sedona Vortex Experiences listed on my site, Sedona Sacred Journeys. If you honor nature, it will honor you.

If you come to Sedona and want to explore on your own, I’m all for it! Just drive around and when you feel yourself being pulled gently or something catches your eye–STOP–and get out the car and go explore it! I call this openness and willingness.

Before you enter the desert, you might make a little prayer and an offering of tobacco or even water. “There can never be too much praying and hugging” is my motto! When you get into the high desert or trees, continue to let that feeling guide you no matter how much you think you might be going the wrong way-–”This makes no sense, this doesn’t look right!” Quiet your thoughts, let go of trying to reach for it or trying to figure it out, relax! Suddenly, you might feel an energy surge coming from the ground underneath you or directly at you. That’s a SedonaVortex!

When you find that vortex, whatever you do, don’t try and manage it or do anything with it! [This is a] classic and natural, innocent mistake. Just be there…let go…relax. In the shamanic tradition, [we call this] “gathering personal power.” Don’t forget to thank that power spot before you leave – this is important.

Well, this will give you a good start!
A Ho,
Greg

Father and child in the snow - Photo credit: faeryboots on flickr.com

Day Three of Spirituality Week has a personal resonance for me.  I am the mother of a two-year-old, so guidance on how to teach my daughter about Spirituality is especially timely.

I took my little one to her pediatrician this week for a well-visit.  I had questions about her diet, potty training, sleep habits, discipline and behavior.  Every answer the doctor provided had a common theme:  whether it’s eating, sleeping, going potty, or behaving, my two-year-old is learning how the world works ALL THE TIME.  And her number one teachers? We, Her Parents.  Ah, the pressure!  And the glorious opportunity!  She is constantly looking to her father and me to see how people eat healthily, take care of their hygiene and environment, sleep and wake on a routine, and “predict with 100% accuracy” (hat tip to Dr. Phil) what consequences her bad and good behavior will illicit.

So when it comes to Spirituality, the same theme certainly applies.  Teaching my daughter to be Spiritual will mean that I will model forgiveness of self and others (see Day One’s Lesson on Forgiveness.)  I will shape her self-image by telling and showing her that it’s okay to make mistakes, to accept frustration and work through it, and try new things even if she might not excel at them right away.

Our guest Spirituality contributor, Gregory Drambour, has some additonal insights and real-life strategies for teaching your children about Spirituality in his article, Doing Something About How Your Children See the World.  Check out this guest blogger post from Gregory in Day Three Part Two.

Coming up on Spirituality Week – Day Four: Spiritual Glossary