Our trip to Sedona was a pretty magical experience. Lena was able to get a scholarship for an Indie Birth skills workshop for 3 days. I just so happened to find out soon after that my permaculture friend, Raven, and her family moved just outside of Sedona, so we got to stay with them. The drive to Sedona showed the change in ecosystems, with a greener climate of pines and more towering red rocks that held deeper lines and levels or reds and yellows as they towered. It is just an experience getting to drive in the “South West”. We arrived to a beautiful home with wonderful people, adorable animals, tasty food, and good wine. The next morning, Lena and I drove to her course and I stumbled my way right next door to the Amitabha Stupa. This experience was wonderful. The stupa is a structure that “embodies the enlightened mind of the Buddha”, constructed incredibly intentionally, filled with hundreds of millions of prayers, a sculpted, wood spire, and much more. Amitabha is the “Red Buddha” and the Buddha of the West. One comes to circumambulate it, go around clockwise, three times with mantras and prayers. Surrounded by prayer flags, birds singing, towering red cliffs in the background, and a simple silence with footsteps made for a wonderful place to be for several hours. I circled the Stupa three times with my crutches (and no brace), and felt I needed to stick around. I watched others circle and pray, people of all types it seemed, then found myself wanting to circle again. This time, I went without support, either out of determination or just frustration with wanting to be out of it all. It hurt, including finding how sensitive the heel of my foot is, having been cushioned for so long. But come the end of it, out of no where it felt, a sweet, older woman came up to me. She asked if I knew the Medicine Buddha, which I did not, and she asked me to come have a seat and if I would like some energy work done on me. It was incredible, her feeling out the injured leg, the palms of my hands and feet, and assessing. She mentioned my being blocked off from receiving, which has been very true, as needing so much help for so long has been getting to me and still needing it has been hard. She "openned" that up, and simply placed her fingers on the palm of my foot and top of my knee, and channeled. I could feel it, some tingling, warm, healing, loving sensation. Then a bigger flow through my leg at the same time she says "there we go", it was as though I could feel my bones very intimately and her doing something to make it feel... good. She then gave me some physical therapy practices for me, and firm "use at least one brace or crutch", told me Buddha understands, blessed me, and left just like how she came into my life.
I cried. For the gift, for the chance, for humanity's goodness. The rest of the weekend consisted of having delicious food (including persimmon, walnut, chocolate cookies), touring the farm and hearing all of Raven's plans and aspirations, playing with their lovely dogs, reading from their beautiful library, and having great conversations. Lena had a life-changing experience throughout the weekend with the midwife workshop and was even offered to apprentice under the founder! She was also requested for help to do natural building with the founder as well. Getting to discuss logistics, stay and stipend, and how we want to stay and contribute towards this farm has been extremely respectful, simple, and empowering. This definitely led to a win-win feeling for us to come and stay for at least 6 month after this internship with Community Rebuilds, and we are so excited.
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Gary Michael ForesmanWritings about my projects, adventures, questions, & more. Categories
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