Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [73]
Sedona’s man-made sacred spaces should not be missed. The spectacular Chapel of the Holy Cross, a concrete church built into red-rock spires, offers great views of nearby Bell Rock. A consecrated Buddhist shrine, Amitabha Stupa is set amid piñon and juniper pine and the ubiquitous rocks. According to Buddhist doctrine, anyone who reflects on a stupa is changed by its inherent holiness and grace. There’s a smaller stupa further down, and a path between the two is in the works to make it easier for walking meditation and to improve wheelchair accessibility.
The next morning, grab breakfast at Bliss Café for the ultimate in body-cleansing food. It’s all raw and all organic. “For your final day, just keep doing more of the same. Get out and experience the land and feed your body healthy food,” Carl says. “Some people might want to visit a psychic or a healer, but just follow your gut. If you get the same feeling from a psychic as you get from those charlatans on TV, just thank them and walk away.”
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PLAYLIST
It’s easy to score soundtracks of whale cries and other nature sound, but that doesn’t make for good driving music. Usher in enlightenment with:
“New Age,” The Velvet Underground
“Children of the Sun,” Billy Thorpe
“Woodstock,” Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
“You May Know Him,” Cat Power
“I’m Beginning to See the Light,” The Velvet Underground
“Atlantis,” Donovan
“In the Light,” Led Zeppelin
“Landslide,” Fleetwood Mac
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If you’ve still got that feeling for some spiritual healing, stop in at the friendly Center for the New Age for a cure for whatever ails you. It has a huge selection of books, crystals and healing stones and a long menu of services, including vortex tours.
What’s the sound of one hand clapping? Cynics would answer “slapping,” but the truth is, most people do leave Sedona feeling energized. Whether that’s from the natural beauty, taking the time to ponder life’s riddles, or the vortex radiation that thaws a frozen soul, it doesn’t matter so much. Sedona is special, and special things happen here.
Josh Krist
Return to beginning of chapter
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TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
Sedona is 120 miles north of Phoenix via I-17 and Hwy 179.
DO
Amitabha Stupa
From Hwy 89A, turn right on Andante, left on Pueblo, then head up the gated trail on the right to the Buddhist shrines. Soon to be wheelchair accessible. 928-300-4435; www.stupas.org; Sedona; year-round
Center for the New Age
Find out the color of your aura, regress into past lives or have a psychic tell you the challenges your future holds. 928-282-2085; www.sedonanewagecenter.com; 341 Hwy 179, Sedona; 8:30am-8:30pm
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Three miles south of town on Hwy 179. Drink in the stellar views of vortex heavyweight Bell Rock. 928-282-4069; 780 Chapel Rd, Sedona; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun
Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours
With morning, noonish and sunset tours, it also offers outings with a Native American focus. 928-282-4714; www.earthwisdomtours.com; 293 N Hwy 89A, Sedona; tours $68-98
Red Rock Ranger District
Drop by for a Red Rock Pass (can be purchased online or by phone too) or area maps and information. 928-203-2900; www.redrockcountry.org; 8375 Hwy 179, Sedona; day/week pass $5/15; 8am-5pm
EAT
Bliss Café
The place to go for the ultimate in body-cleansing raw food. It also has plenty of chocolate creations that are pure bliss. 928-282-2997; 1595 W Hwy 89A, Sedona; mains $6.50-12.50; 11am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun
D’Lish Very Vegetarian
Try the tamari-glazed walnut burgers or raw zucchini pasta. Earth Wisdom tours often stop here for a bathroom break after Boynton Canyon. 928-203-9393; 3190 W Hwy 89A, Sedona; dishes $6-12; 11am-8pm
Wildflower