Holy Rattlesnake! A Sedona Spiritual Renewal Retreat with Canyon Creatures Article by Sharon Hooper Seven a.m. Not so early, but an effort as I threw things into a backpack trying to wake my resistant body, wanting to linger and reflect on a startling dream still in my mind. Joan was probably already waiting for me, ready to begin our weekly morning pilgrimages into the canyons. Joan and I enjoy continuing philosophical discussions – on just about everything, including why scorpions come into her house, but not in ours - or more demanding subjects, like how to balance our psyches, souls and demands of the day’s reality. Since we’re both personal success coaches, we enjoy sharing ideas about various approaches to client needs.
		Last month’s topic centered about admitting that we needed, and wanted, more socializing than our introspective husbands. After brainstorming several options we decided one of them would include “intentional” wandering through our incredible Sedona ravines, just to see what might open up as we scuffed our feet along the red dirt. Thus, the Tuesday breakfast hikes were formally launched! Now, as the car made its way to Red Rock Crossing on Oak Creek River, in the “heart of the heart” of Sedona, I was getting excited, recognizing the mindshift already taking place - understanding that this red-dirt ride was different than all the others I had taken on this same road.
We trekked down to the river, stopping to admire the enduring view of Cathedral Rock, the early morning sun casting a captivating softness that left me with ooohs and aaaahs. I started to relax, letting the soft wind guide us across the river as we headed to Buddha Beach, as the locals call it, where one can build prayer statues amongst the acre of river stones right where the rush of water hurries around the bend. Arriving at our destination, we plunked down our backpacks and glanced downstream where we set eyes on a great blue heron preening in the early light, not more than fifty feet away. We quickly settled and silently observed this magnificent bird as it carefully picked its way across the river, back and forth, entertaining us with grace and beauty while we munched away.

By now I was noticing how many critters were blessing us with their presence – ethereal orange dragonflies, several chirping bird varieties, stunning yellow butterflies, large fat black beetles, icky looking brown spiders, a dozen or more brown darting lizards, and of course, the usual busy red ants who wanted to share our food. Aware that the rushing water and warm sun had done its mellowing job, we quietly proceeded to build our own rock art towers, intentional prayers saturated into each stone. When the statues were completed to our satisfaction, we hunkered down in the shade of a tree to philosophize about the feelings that we were experiencing right then and there.

Personally, I reflected upon the original purpose of our excursion. I came to the river to “socialize” with my friend, and now my spirit was being fed by the environment that is always available to me – with or without another person. Did the companionship make this journey more special or would a solitary walk along the same path have filled me with such a mystical lightness of heart?!

Retracing our steps back into the forest, I felt delirious with the potency of all these astonishing creatures: the great blue heron – king of the marsh, powerful, reminding me to follow my own intuition and wisdom; insects of many types - including the butterflies, dragonflies, ants and spiders – the most diversified lifeform, enduring and using uncanny wisdom to show me again that life is all about change and recognizing opportunity, creating our own metamorphosis; lizards to teach me detachment when necessary.

Oh, did I forget to mention that on the way back through the woods, a slithery diamondback rattlesnake was lying right across the trail in front of us? WHOA – did we ever stop short, especially since Kashi, my faithful wonderdog, was hot on my heels! Our immediate response was “BACK UP”! After a two minute stare-a-thon with the snake, Joan stamped her feet creating a vibration, and our friend slinked sinuously back into the bushes. As if all those amazing animals hadn’t been enough to fill my senses, the rattlesnake, suggesting transition and healing, definitely made my day!

On my Tuesday morning journeys, I have discovered that the hungry restlessness sometimes infiltrating our being can be temporarily softened by a simple walk with nature – where nothing unusual happens, just the mundane exquisiteness of spectacular red rock walls and unexpected nature’s adornments. And who knows if a solitary wandering would have satisfied my urges as much as the companionable meanderings with Joan – a primordial inquiry to investigate that would wait another day, or year.

Hmmmm…in the meantime, I’d better call Joan to discuss next Tuesday’s location!

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