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Yesterday in the early evening I went hiking and climbing for a few hours by myself in the big red rocks above town. I climbed up further then I've ever been.
I stopped at a red rock plateau way above the town. What a view of Sedona! I could see all the way to Court House Rock. I felt something pushing me to go further -- so up I went. The degree of steepness and danger increased with each ten meters. I was scrambling on a lot of loose unstable rocks. I hesitated for a moment wondering if this ascent was wise but then that gut-feeling that has served me so well said clearly, "Keep going!" I could see that I was nearing a towering red rock face -- something kept pulling me towards it.
When I got to the cliff face, I sat down and went into that place of stillness, trusting that there was something that Spirit wanted me to feel or see. After about five minutes nothing came and then surprisingly I felt inside it was time to descend. I would usually stay in a place like this for at least 15 minutes. I wondered what this inner-guidance was all about. As you can probably tell this is a very dangerous place.
The decent was steep and again a lot of unstable little rocks underfoot. I felt myself being pulled to the left and questioned briefly if that's why I was drawn to the cliff face. I would not have descended this way but it was only hundred feet from the route I had come up. So I went down, remembering to take very small steps, keeping my weight back and in my feet, knees bent, always being very careful -- talking to myself, "Easy, Greg, careful, stay focused".
I stopped to get some water and looked around. The area I was standing in looked totally unfamiliar and I couldn't see the way I had come up. As I climb I always make sure I can retreat on the same "line." I didn't see that line! So I could be descended into a cliff-drop! A wave of fear ran through my body and I could feel that sinking "you're-in-trouble" feeling on the edge of my emotions, ready to sweep in. Having hiked a lot in the Sedona area, I know how easily you can get yourself into serious trouble very fast -- fifty foot cliff drops have a way of appearing out of nowhere.
My experience hiking has taught me a great deal and it really served me well on this beautiful Sedona evening. Now instead of panicking, I sat still for a few moments and do what all good climbers and hikers should do: Situation assessment and equipment inventory. I had about one hour max until twilight set in and enough water for at least three hours plus cell phone that was operational. I just went quieter listening for my inner guidance. After a few moments it guided me to explore the line of descent I was making another few hundred meters and if nothing appeared to show me a clear way down, I would back-track to the cliff face. The fear inside me had eased considerably. I made sure I greeted the little plants along the descent, " A Ho, brothers, A Ho my sisters." Always remembering: If you honor them, they will honor you.
I kept talking to myself as I took one step at a time over the shifting gravel and pebbles, "Easy, brother, one step at a time." If I slipped or fell, it would not be good. When I got to the distance I had marked, I could see that the topography (finally got to use this word!) appeared to be transitioning into the base of the mountain. Let me stress the word "appeared." It's not always as it looks. But my inner guidance said go for it. Within about ten minutes I was safely down at the base!
I was unsure of how far I was from the trail head but I knew it was the in "that" direction. Again, first stopping to check how much light I had left and to make sure every two hundred meters I was heading the right way, not getting over confident. After about twenty minutes, I found the trail and stopped and looked back up the way I came and thought, "Wow, that was steep." I felt so deeply grateful as I gazed up at the mountain and offered my deepest thanks, "A Ho, Old Ones, A Ho, thank you so much for keeping me safe. I thank my friends of the Rock and Plant People for supporting me and guiding me. I am honored, my brothers and sisters. Thank you, thank you. My heart is full."
Why tell this story? I have seen this kind of scenarios end up badly. I saw clearly how I didn't let fear get me un-centered. I felt the fear and didn't try and run from it. I let it motivate me to slow down and quiet down even more than I was. I gave my experience a chance to form itself. I was patient and did not get ahead of myself. And I was grateful for my experience to lead me down the mountain safely. I saw that I have truly learned something over the years and was proud of myself.
Ultimately, I was grateful that I followed my inner-guidance to climb as high as I did. I wouldn't have learned as much about myself, about trust and using feelings if I hadn't .
That's part of living here in the Magic Kingdom -- you never quite know what a little early evening stroll will bring!
A Ho,
Greg
Magic Kingdom Sector, AZ April 2017
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Support For Helping Professionals
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Laird Hamilton On Fear
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