The leaves are just starting to change from green to yellow-gold in Sedona. Here are a few snapshots from October 17, 2010 in Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff. Specifically, these were taken at Slide Rock State Park.

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.

***

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)
Come Follow Me on Twitter!

Being a Sedona-enthusiast and blogger, I’ve looked everywhere for a comprehensive map of the Sedona Arizona rocks, to no avail. So I decided to create one myself. Here is a Sedona Arizona red rocks map with the rock formations labeled and Sedona pictures for your reference.

Many visitors have asked for a Sedona vortex map showing where all these renowned spots of heightened spiritual and metaphysical energy. We’ve created a Sedona vortex map indicating the four major Sedona vortex sites: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon and Airport Mesa. We’ve also included the site of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which many visitors also claim is a vortex spot.

Many people visit Sedona, Arizona, only as a brief stopover on the way from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, but this oasis in Red Rock country is worth more of your time for its unrivaled natural beauty and for its arts and restaurants. And some believe it offers spiritual renewal at mystical New Age energy spots.

Don’t believe the natural beauty claim? Surf over to sedona.net and click on “Live Sedona Views” for Sedona webcam of the Red Rock formations surrounding the town. There are souvenir shops galore, but for a real treasure to remind you of your visit you’ll want to scan “Art Galleries and Artists” to learn about the galleries offering unique works by local artists and members of the Navajo, Hopi and other tribes of the Southwest. And for a pleasant shopping stroll, go back to “Shopping & Services” and look for the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.

Before you decide to spend all your time in the galleries, click on “What to Do” to get an overview of the local tours, especially the Jeep tours, along with spas, recreation and sightseeing.

Did the videos jog your memory? Hollywood has been using the area for nearly as long there have been movies, especially for westerns, and it still is a background for numerous commercials. The Sedona Film Office has lists under “Film History” and “Recent Projects.” John Wayne, Joan Crawford and Burt Lancaster are just a few of the stars who worked here.

All those scenic canyons and ridges threading through the area provide opportunities for great hiking trails, both inside and outside the city. The Coconino National Forest has a special Web site for Red Rock Country where you can click on “Maps & Brochures” to see how extensive the network is. Your best bet for seeing details is the map in “pdf” format and the downloadable Recreation Guide. Just remember, even though Sedona’s elevation is higher than that of the desert city of Phoenix, it still gets hot on those trails in the summer.

For a side trip, the old copper mining community of Jerome almost became a ghost town but has evolved into a mountainside (the switchback roads are not for squeamish drivers) arts and crafts colony with a great view.

In the opposite direction, Flagstaff is a university town offering cooler, pine-scented air (elevation 7,000 feet) with the 12,000-foot San Francisco Peaks in the background. It’s a convenient gateway to the Grand Canyon and nearby sights such as Meteor Crater and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Sedona is filled with mind-bending views, both physical and spiritual On a late afternoon in Sedona, with the sinking sun beaming a powdery light over the mustard-red buttes, spires and mesas that surround the city like the ruins of fortress walls, everything looks better than good. Even the scenes that are banished from the postcards — the time-share developments, the trinket shops, the clusters of poky tourists — pick up an otherworldly glow. Those paunchy and ponytailed local hippies? All of a sudden, they’re glamorous: It’s as if they’ve been lit by Annie Leibovitz for a Rolling Stone cover circa 1978. More…

Source: DWIGHT GARNER, New York Times News Service. April 9, 2006

Enjoy the article and be sure to visit sedona.net for more information on the businesses mentioned.

Sedona

Sedona