Red Rocks Hike,
Sedona,
Arizona.
Closing down your eyes gently,
Taking in a slow,
Deep breath.
Making your body as comfortable as possible.
Allowing the breath to maintain its own natural rhythm.
No forcing,
No holding.
Just simple,
In and out.
It is an absolutely beautiful spring day in Sedona,
Arizona.
The sky is clear,
Deep blue in color,
And the sun is shining gloriously.
There is not a single cloud in the sky,
And the air temperature is perfect on your skin.
You know the intensity of the sun will warm the red rocks,
Making them perfectly comfortable to lie down on when you get to your favorite spot.
You've walked this path before.
You've hiked this mountain.
It's familiar.
You feel safe.
You begin to walk the red gravel path.
The only sound you hear are your footsteps beneath you.
You come across a cactus in the shape of a heart,
Staring in awe and wonder,
Stopping to take a moment of pure gratitude for the magnificence of Mother Nature.
Continuing on your way,
You notice several other small cactus scattered off to both sides of the path.
You think to yourself,
What an incredible plant cactus are.
Walking along the path,
Still the only sound you hear are your own footsteps.
No one is around.
No one is in sight.
No birds flying overhead.
Just you,
The red rocks,
The clear blue sky,
And the sun gently warming your skin.
You've reached the base of the rock mountain you will climb.
Slowly beginning your way up,
It's almost like Mother Nature created her own path to the top of the mountain,
Providing the perfect place to step as you make your way up.
It's an easy climb,
Nothing strenuous today,
Just peace and relaxation.
As you continue to climb,
You stop periodically to take in the view,
Breathtaking.
Red rocks all around you,
Beaming against that clear,
Deep blue sky.
Eventually making your way to the top,
Arriving at your favorite place.
There is a large,
Smooth area in the rock,
Allowing you to lie down.
It faces south,
So the sun has done its job of warming the rocks just to your liking.
Lying down,
Stretching out your arms and legs,
Relishing the blueness of the sky.
You find yourself taking in a deep breath,
And exhaling all the air out of your lungs with an audible sigh.
Placing your hands behind your head,
Creating a makeshift pillow,
You close your eyes in amazement,
In wonder,
In appreciation,
In pure joy and bliss.
You can feel the heat from the rocks penetrating through your clothes,
Warming your body.
What an incredible feeling and sensation.
Your body is happy,
Peaceful,
Calm,
And relaxed.
Your mind is quiet and settled.
You lie there,
Taking it all in.
Complete silence,
Stillness,
Peace,
Both inner and outer peace.
You think to yourself,
What a gift.
You lie there a bit longer,
Soaking up the warmth from the rocks.
This is your place.
This is your special place.
Slowly,
You begin to move your body,
Stretching your arms out from beneath your head,
Wiggling your legs and feet from side to side,
Waking them up gently.
Slowly opening your eyes,
You carefully sit up.
Still feeling the warmth from the rocks and the sun above,
You slowly come to a standing position,
Reaching your arms overhead,
Leaning from one side to the other,
Giving your body a good stretch.
Bringing movement and life back into your body.
You take in a deep breath,
This time holding it for a count of four,
And then letting it all go once again with an audible sigh.
You feel relaxed,
Refreshed,
And rejuvenated.
You gaze around,
Observing the whole 360-degree view,
Taking it all in once more before you carefully begin the trek down.
May you be safe.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you live with ease.
Namaste.
