Bell Rock, Sedona, AZ
I spent the weekend in Sedona AZ, a strange and beautiful place (mostly catering to rich ex-hippies) where you can get a picture taken of your aura every couple of blocks. For the record, I did not.
There are energy centers called vortexes that a psychic discovered here in 1980. I was told that if I’m “open” enough, I could feel the energy. I know, I know. It’s kind of ridiculous when you think about it. But I really wanted to feel something. I tried to be open, I really did. But nothing. I was expecting some kind of transformational experience, or at least feel like I do after a good massage. Nope.
Sedona is known for its upscale spiritual junkie culture – million dollar homes nestled in the sides of rocks, crystal stores every few feet, psychics for all occasions. It’s New Age capitalism at its finest, so I should have figured it would leave me feeling weary of its promises. But aside from all the healing centers and other tourist traps there is something different about it. Something real.
For one thing, it’s stunningly beautiful. Red rocks, juniper and pine trees everywhere. Lots of good hiking (which is enough for me on any vacation). And you never get tired of looking at it. Around every bend, there is yet another gorgeous rock formation.
I was speaking with a man who owns a B&B there, and he asked me if I felt any different when I returned from one of the famed vortex energy centers, located in a place called Bell Rock right off the highway. To be honest, I spent most of my time scrambling up the side of Bell Rock and trying to figure out where I was. I hauled myself up, sweaty and tired, only to discover most of the hikers were climbing up the other side, which was actually a lot easier and didn’t require pulling yourself up and praying you don’t land in a cactus. I didn’t feel different after this experience, only stupid. I didn’t tell him that I got lost and tried to go up the wrong way.
Then I asked him if he believed in the energy vortexes. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and said lots of people feel moved to tears, but he’d never felt anything. “They are beautiful though,” he added. “Isn’t that enough?”
I’ve been thinking about this conversation since. He didn’t care one way or the other if the vortexes were real or not. He appreciated them anyway. I was so focused on getting something out of the experience, and when it went wrong and I didn’t even take the right trail, I felt cheated.
There are many times in my life where I’m so focused on the result that I miss the point of what I’m doing, and often the result doesn’t meet my satisfaction. I think if the vortexes have taught me anything, it’s that I should stop trying to haul myself up the rocks to achieve some kind of wisdom or recognition or other kind of reward. That I shouldn’t force my expectations on everything around me, and be upset when things don’t go as planned. Because really, the best experiences have been surprises to me. In climbing Bell Rock, I was too busy trying to make it conform to my expectations. I was trying too hard to make it work for me. Really, it was just laughing at me, trying to get me to see I was taking it way too seriously.
I’m glad to be back. But I’m also glad Bell Rock kicked my ass.
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
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