A journey to a magical place
resulted in a wonderful life lesson.

One of the many blessings my late partner, Judi, and I shared was a trip to Arizona in the spring of 1997. Judi had been an avid traveler, using her extended summer vacations, (she was a special education teacher), to tour every state of the union except Hawaii. Arizona was her favorite state and she considered the Grand Canyon her spiritual home.

Having never visited Arizona myself, Judi proved to be a wonderful guide and she loved sharing her experiences with me. The trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon was like traveling through three different worlds-from arid desert and brightly colored cactus flowers around Phoenix, moderate temperatures and lush gardens near Flagstaff to the snow-capped mountains thick with Ponderosa Pines approaching the Grand Canyon.

Judi cried when we reached the Canyon. She said that when her cancer was diagnosed she was afraid she’d never again visit this awe-inspiring place. At the time, we didn’t know that this would be the last visit to her “earthly church” in this lifetime. On the higher level, this healing journey was her way of saying goodbye to the places she loved.

Traveling south, we headed for Sedona. The town had become a “New Age Mecca", famous for it’s “vortex” energy centers. Many mystical and spiritual events were purported to occur at the “vortices” including feeling energy shifts, hair standing on end, spontaneous healing and psychic phenomena. I wanted to have a “vortex” experience for myself.

On the road approaching Sedona, one quickly realizes where the legend started. You drive through miles of rather plain and colorless desert and then magically these blood red and rusty orange formations appear as if dropped there out of the sky. Like wounded giants, these striated rock formations fill the landscape...a place Native Americans considered taboo...the battlefields of the gods. These magnificent formations take on many shapes and characteristics as you approach the heart of Sedona. One resembles a giant bell, another a cathedral and yet another, a goddess. Our destination that day was the vortex known as Boynton Canyon.

When we arrived at the foot of the climb up to Boynton, the temperature was 98 degrees. Judi was struggling with the heat and fatigue and decided to stay in the car. She wanted me to enjoy the vortex, but lovingly teased about my ability to deal with the heat. She also cautioned me to pace myself as I was not exactly in shape for climbing.

I gave her a big hug and started out on the journey. The climb to the top of the formation was about 250 feet up a rather sheer rise with shaky footing. I went about 25 feet and had to stop to catch my breath. It was like breathing fire and the sweat was streaming down my face. This was proving to be harder than I thought it would be. For a minute, I considered turning around and going back, but the lure of the “vortex” kept me going. I climbed another 25 feet and had to stop again. This time, my heart was pounding in my chest and my legs were cramping. The sweat burned my eyes and I had to close them. I questioned the value of this trek, my sanity for taking it and cursed myself for letting my body get out of shape. I paused and sat on a rock. Allowing my breath to slow down, I wiped off my face and began to meditate. Clearing my thoughts I reflected on Judi waiting lovingly below in the car. Here was this incredible, courageous person; the woman who taught me how to love. She didn’t know if she would live another year, week or day...but she was undaunted by this disease and would spend the remainder of her time with dignity and gusto and energy and joy. I took this to my heart and continued the climb. All told, I stopped seven more times until I reached my goal, the “VORTEX”!

The view at the top was magical. I was surrounded by a panorama of red rock formations, cloudless skies and a vista that went on forever. But I didn’t feel anything. My hair didn’t stand on end. There was no upward or downward rushing sensation. I didn’t feel any new “energy” coming through. Yes, this place was remarkably beautiful, but where was the magic?

In a flash it came to me. The lesson of the vortex was that the journey was more important than the destination. I had the blessing of traveling with my partner, to some of the most magnificent places God created, and sharing this love with her. Furthermore, I could overcome any obstacle, especially my own doubts and self-judgement, when I allowed spirit and love to step in.

The real vortex is in our hearts; this is where we connect with God.

Post Script: Judi transitioned on January 7th, 1998 after having graced my life with lessons on love, healing, non-attachment and courage.