In this meditation,
You're invited to travel along the Kachina Trail,
Located in the San Francisco peaks just outside of Flagstaff,
Arizona.
This trail has known the footsteps of the native Pueblo people for over a thousand years.
To the natives of this area,
Kachinas are spirit beings that embody the forces of nature and can be called upon for help.
People find these spirits to be curious and welcoming.
The trailhead starts at 9,
500 feet amongst the firs,
Spruce,
And aspens.
The air is cool and thin,
So get comfortable and warm up with a few deep breaths.
As you step onto the trail,
You notice a walking stick propped up against a tree.
It feels good in your hand as you follow the trail up and into the trees.
Take a few steps and then pause.
Listen to the sounds of the birds going about their business and alerting each other to your presence.
Take another deep breath and taste the freshness of the air and the heady smell of the forest.
Notice how the outside world drops away as you continue on.
Up ahead,
You see a massive fir tree standing to the left of the trail.
You are surrounded by trees,
But this one stands out.
It bears the scar of an old lightning strike.
Its top branches reach for the sky and are covered with new,
Green growth.
Place your hands on the trunk and greet this grandfather.
Sink your awareness deep into the ground,
Following the fir's roots.
This tree has lived for hundreds of years and has stood as witness and sentinel to generations of travelers.
This grandfather has survived hardship and grown strong and tall.
There is a sense of peace and understanding that surrounds you.
Grandfather speaks and shares wisdom from the Hopi people who first greeted him when he was only a sapling.
You must live your life from beginning to end.
No one else can do it for you.
Where do you bear scars?
Are they visible or hidden from view?
Grandfather wants you to know that thunderbolts cannot be avoided.
It finds each of us.
Your scars have only made you stronger,
More resilient,
And worthy.
When you feel complete,
Thank this grandfather fir tree for sharing his spirit with you.
Continue up the trail until you see a large aspen tree.
It too is scarred.
Someone carved a crude heart with initials into this grandmother's bark.
That person tried to claim this tree.
When you place your hands on the trunk,
All you feel is a lively,
Welcoming presence.
As you follow her roots into the ground,
You find they are relatively shallow and spread outward,
Connecting you to all of the aspens on the mountain and beyond.
This grandmother senses your anger over her scar.
She shares this wisdom from the poet Rumi,
Who lived long ago and far away.
The wound is the place where the light enters you.
She asks you to forgive the person who wounded her.
Then,
She asks you to look at your own wounds.
Have there been people in your life who have tried to claim you for their own?
Can you,
In this moment,
Forgive them?
And most important of all,
Can you forgive yourself for trusting and loving those people?
As you release your anger and hurt,
Notice how the leaves of the aspen catch the light of the sun.
They dance in the slight breeze.
You feel lighter as you thank this grandmother for her compassion and understanding.
There are miles to explore along this trail.
Soak in the beauty and peace of the forest.
And if you wish,
Invite the help of more kachinas as you pick up your walking stick and continue on.
You There is a large flat rock sitting next to the trail inviting you to take a seat.
Notice how you feel after exploring this mountain.
Replenishing yourself replenishes the earth.
Lastly bring your awareness back into the here and now.
Appreciate the strength and resilience you found in the forest.
Those qualities live within you.
Smile and give a wink to the kachinas.
