In the closing segment of his three part haven quest series, the Stress Doc explores why his intuitive side is drawn to Sedona, AZ and its environs. Is it the physical beauty and natural variety? Is it the kindred colors or the desire to be both part of yet apart from a kindred community? Maybe it is a metaphysical attraction? Who knows...It's Sedona!
Finding a Spiritual Homeland: Part III
It's the homestretch on my spiritual homeland series. The key question: why is my intuitive side drawn to Sedona, AZ? I've dubbed Sedona the "rebirthplace of the 60s." But I believe the heartfelt connection goes beyond nostalgia and the days of having a full head of hair. And certainly deeper than some of the more lightweight metaphysical principles I met up with. While my skepticism was evident as expressed in Part II, I must admit, during our first hike, after briefly cruising some of the town, there was an immediate energy surge. My friend, Burt, observed that I hadn't been so manic since our 1970 hitchhiking and backpacking trip through Europe. "Aha," you say. The higher power point, "The Vortex," was at work despite my pedestrian cynicism. (Actually, one spiritual seeker warned us against climbing to the top of Bell Rock as the power of the vortex would just overwhelm us. You know which rock we climbed.)
Articulating the Ineffable
Let me try an abstract yet down-to-earth interpretation. Encountering Sedona reminded me of discovering, a dozen years ago, the work of the controversial early 20th century Austrian artist, Egon Schiele. I had never before seen a painter integrate themes of sensuality, sexuality, aggression, poignant and angst-ridden expressive realism along with such strikingly angular lines and moody colors. A tremendous and energetic sensation of enlightenment hit me: "Oh, so that's what all those elements (within myself) look and feel like."
In analogous fashion, Sedona was a physical and psychological bridge between my inner dreams and real world desires. My resonant "aha" was discovering a small community that was integrated with its natural, and naturally beautiful, surroundings. (Or, even better, a community that was dominated by the dramatic landscape.) In five to ten minutes you can go (to quote from Sed ona: a Pictorial Guidebook) from desert-like terrain to starkly beautiful Red Rock Country, with its "massive buttes, precipitous cliffs, towering spires and rugged canyons...Much of its semi-arid terrain is bare, reddish rock."
Seeing Red, Moving Up
Being an Aries, a fire sign, and a "red" in coloring and temperament, perhaps I was vibrating with the simpatico terrain. We know that colors affect our perceptions and mood. Red is associated in humans with power, vitality and the competitive urge. Could this influence my heightened arousal level?
Now ten minutes northward from Sedona brings you another landscape and mindscape -- Oak Creek Canyon. The top of the canyon is 7,000 feet above sea level compared to Sedona's 4,000 foot altitude. Here there is lush vegetation, a year round flowing stream, even dark green Ponderosa Pine forests. The rapidly changing altitudes, cooler climate and kaleidoscopic rock formations definitely did a number on my senses. Also, one reason I so resonate with mountains now is because of my first spiritual homeland. New Orleans was a great place to "come out of the creative closet," but it left me seasonally and altitudinally deprived. Anyway, Sedona and environs definitely illumined a Stress Doc maxim: "Fireproof your life with variety!"
Communal Attraction and Repulsion
And, finally, there were the people -- so open and friendly. A good number of writers, artists, sculptors, in addition to middle age and New Age psychics and healers. (Hey, in the "The Big Easy" I definitely hung with some oddballs and outcasts. I can do this scene.) And as an online friend observed, upon hearing some of my "metaphysical community" skepticism: "At least these folks are still searching." I agree. Better to be on a journey that explores and extends the inner and outer envelopes than to believe you have all the right answers.
Or, even more sad, to be trapped in a burnout box - no matter how elaborate or prestigious - that's psychologically numbing or that's providing "security" in exchange for rapidly receding options, energy and hope. I call this when you're one-time niche of success has you stuck in the ditch of excess. Hey...you are at a crossroads!
While attracted to a creative colony, perhaps, as I do more and more writing, there's simultaneously a need for increasing solitude and open spaces; a wish to let my inner heart and soul romp free; to seek momentary escape from the shadowy writer's cave in absolute, other worldly beauty. Hey, Stress Doc, enough with the analysis, already.
So, is it real or is it Vortex? You know what...who cares. It's Sedona! And I will have more of it. Are you ready to explore a spiritual homeland? Are you ready to build a bridge, however gradually, between inner dreams and outer desires? And can you do all this while still Practicing Safe Stress?
Feedback Segment: How about sharing your thoughts on how you, friends or colleagues use humor in dealing with stress, conflict or moods, yours or others, in your personal life, at home or at work? HFTE will run the best stories and, of course, credit you. (And the real lagniappe, you become a member of the Stress Doc's StressBusters Club.) Also, email me to learn more about "The Stress Doc's" upcoming serious and humorous on-line support/chat group -- "The Frequent Sighers Club.
Mark Gorkin, "The Stress Doc," Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a nationally recognized speaker, workshop leader and author on stress, reorganizational change, anger, team building, creativity and humor. The Stress Doc is a columnist for the popular cyber-newsletter, Humor From The Edge. Mark is also the "Online Psychohumorist" for the major AOL mental health resource network, Online Psych . His motto: Have Stress? Will Travel! Reach "The Doc" at (202) 232-8662, email: Stress Doc@aol.com