This weekend retreat is a life-changing pilgrimage to one of the most powerful energy centers in North America. Set in the high desert mountains of Northern Arizona, Sedona is a magical wonderland of red rock monoliths, rolling desert land, and the grandest view of heaven you can imagine. The energy vortexes located in the Sedona are ideal for experiencing all types of spiritual activities. Added to this are overwhelmingly breathtaking vistas, both day and night. Our work is facilitated by the energy and visual beauty of this incredible place on the earth.
Even though a vortex is considered by science to be a geophysical anomaly, indigenous peoples from all areas of the world, knew of vortex energy and revered these locations as sacred sites. The ancients knew how to work with a vortex to achieve a better understanding of self and of spirit. They also knew that vortex energy held the potential to help heal mind, body and spirit. This is what we seek during our time in Sedona. The vortices which have produced powerful and lasting change in the life of those in attendance.
The opportunities to gain new direction and insight into your personal soul journey, are endless during this weekend retreat. Through the vibrations of the vortex energy in Sedona, well known for this phenomenon, you will be able to access your higher consciousness in ways you have never done before. There are few better energetic places on the planet to contact the voice of the higher-self, the God voice within. During the retreat, you can begin or renew a dialog your inner-self that will provide ongoing guidance and direction for your life.
Each day begins with a check-in and opening circle. We share our thoughts and process what is ?becoming? for each of us. Then we join together in either meditation or guided visualization. The meditations and guided visualizations will prepare you for the type of energy that can be experienced at the various vortexes you will explore. Each day you will experience the energy as well as the natural beauty of one or more vortexes. In this way we connect with the energy of the place, the higher-self. This event requires no previous experience, and physical demand of the journey is low impact, as the trails are well marked and easily navigated.
Those who have joined us in the past few groups were able to closely relate to one another, align their values, and share their hopes, wishes, dreams and desires. Feedback from prior participants validate their success in reflecting upon their spiritual journey, and integrating the Sedona energy into their future goals and spiritual values. These have been spiritual seekers, ready to work on making their lives more representative of the spiritual men they aspire to be. All along the way, you will have the combined guidance of your guides, Steve Thomson and Michael Guarino to support you with processes and ceremony that will insure a totally unforgettable experience.
"Sedona has continued to be a magical place for me since my first visit in the 80's," says Thomson. "I return to the energy of the Red Rocks for rejuvenation and to ground my work and life plans. In the last few years I have guided people through this amazing place to experience the energy and what the earth has to offer at these incredible vortices. All the spiritual senses are expanded, the voice of the higher-self speaks openly and a clear sense of life and life purpose can be gained here. Sedona is the one place in the United States where I experience clarity, and achieve long-range and lasting effects in my personal journey as a spiritual man."
?Sedona has helped me to explore both masculine and feminine energy,? says Mike Guarino. I knew that both masculine and feminine energy were within me, but I never realized until Sedona how much more energy and success I would have if I accepted and balanced these energies. Some of the vortexes in Sedona are very masculine, some very feminine, and some are both. Experiencing these vortexes helped me gain an awareness of how these combined energies can help me achieve both spiritual and personal goals.?
Steve Thomson is committed to help individuals achieve greater freedom and self-mastery in their lives through sharing his extensive experience and training in a variety of spiritual practices. Steve is known and recognized for his dynamic lectures and experiential workshops on numerous spiritual practices and philosophies. During the last few years, Steve has been a guide on trips to Peru and other weekend retreats for Spirit Journeys.
Michael Guarino is a Spiritual Behaviorist, Counselor, Teacher, and Facilitator. He has worked as a consultant and counselor in corporate environments as well as for human services agencies. In his private practice he uses a combination of psychological tools and instruments, visualization, and spiritual techniques to help clients align their goals and behaviors with their life script.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE TENTATIVE DAILY ITINERARY
Thursday, September 7th - Plan to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport no later than noon. After departing the Airport, we drive to Sedona and get settled in our rooms. Late in the afternoon, our first gathering takes place. There is an orientation and overview of the weekends planned events. Time is spent discussing what drew each of us to this retreat, creating our personal intention for the weekend and an opening group meditation. During our time together, meditation and guided visualizations are incorporated in our daily schedule as a means of grounding, tuning-in, and refining our capacity to sense energy in our lives. Before dinner, we drive to Airport Mesa and watch the sunset over Sedona from one of the highest points in the area. This panoramic view covers a 180 degree sight line of more than 30 miles. Dinner in town and is followed by free time in the evening.
Friday, September 8th - The day begins with breakfast, meditation, and a talking circle. We leave the Hotel mid-morning and travel to Cathedral Rock. This vortex is very feminine energy. It?s great for supporting a balanced, peaceful and serine feeling within. At this breathtaking site is a wandering river and incredible red rock formations. The opportunity here is to explore nature, meditate, journal and relax. Next we head to the festive town of Sedona with its many galleries and shops for lunch and browsing. For those not interested in shopping, there is an optional hike north of the town in Oak Creek Canyon. Returning to the Hotel late afternoon provides time for a breath session or free time. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Saturday, September 9th - The day starts with breakfast, meditation, and a talking circle. We travel a short distance to Bell Rock. This vortex is very masculine in nature and warrior type energy is found here. There strongest urge is to be active and we climb the rock, one of the most often photographed in the area. In the afternoon we head north toward Flagstaff. On the way thee is a stop at a scenic overlook at the top of the Oak Creek canyon, about 6400 feet above sea level. We take time for pictures and there is shopping with the Navajo people who sell handmade jewelry and crafts.
After lunch we attend a traditional Native American Fire Ceremony with Sam Tso. To the Dinê, as the Navajo people call themselves, fire is one of the sacred elements, the medium of purification and transformation. In their belief, fire will balance whatever is creating imbalance or disharmony in the mind, body or spirit. Each of us work one-on-one with Sam at the fire in a specific ritualistic way to help release any issue or problem that is causing disharmony within us and restore balance to our lives.
Sam Tso served as translator for the Navajo elders in the legal batter for his family and community's right to remain on their ancestral homelands. The lawsuit of his great-great grandmother, Manybeads brought Tso before the United Nations and Congressional Committees in Washington, DC. In the aftermath of the Manybeads lawsuit, Tso continues as a carpenter, silversmith, rock carver, storyteller and teacher. His work as an activist continues on behalf of all people whose rights are being denied or questioned.
Sunday, September 10th ? The day starts later than the other days, with breakfast, meditation and a talking circle. Today we travel to Soldiers Pass. In this vortex we work with seven pools of water, carved in the red rock over the years by water. The pools form a line and correspond with the seven chakras of the physical body. In our morning circle we talk about the chakras and the opportunities to work these energies. Like the other vortices we visit, there is ample opportunity to connect with the energy present, supports the expansion of the spiritual senses. Lunch follows at a park with a spectacular overlook of Boynton Canyon.
After lunch, we return to the Views Inn Hotel for a late afternoon breathwork session which cleanses the mind, body and spirit. Typically during breathwork one experiences a heightened state of awareness and becomes more aware of thoughts, behaviors, and emotional patterns that are holding them back from living their lives the way they want. This is also a very keen way to ground-in and integrate what has taken place thus far.
Monday, September 11th - Our last morning in Sedona includes breakfast, a final group meditation, review of our personal experiences, and discussion of ways to integrate the weekend into our daily lives. Depart the hotel for the Airport at 11:00 A.M. Plan airline departures from Phoenix Airport for 2:00pm or later.
