The Responsive Universe – Meditations and Daily Life Practices

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I wrote the Responsive Universe –Meditations and Daily Life Practices with the goal of creating a step by step journey to self-discovery. Each Mandala or chapter in the Responsive Universe is like a stepping stone forward to discovering your authentic True Nature within. I incorporated valuable meditations and daily life practices into this journey forward with the intent of creating more mindfulness in your life; more space, more clarity and more responsiveness. In the First Mandala we discussed living with an open mind and acknowledging the ego and our false-self. In the Second Mandala we took an in-depth look at meditation and daily life practice which sets the tone for our journey forward. In the Third and Fourth Mandala we discussed God, religion, scientific origin and our place within this grand Universe that is everything. It is important to understand that social conditioning can skew our belief systems and that finding a connection with the Universe is the key to positive spiritual and emotional evolution. In the Fifth Mandala we were asked to analyze our past and be aware of the control patterns that unknowingly influence us. Understanding your past and upbringing will allow you to fully live in the present instead of being constantly dragged back to the past. In the Sixth Mandala we talked about loss. Loss is something we all will endure if we have not already. Being able to positively cope with loss and understand there is hope is paramount to moving forward instead of backward. In the Seventh Mandala we were officially introduced to energy as it relates to the Cosmos. Quantum energy connects us to everything and even explains concepts like karma, energy healing and an afterlife. In the Eight Mandala we are asked to find positivity both mentally and physically by incorporating better eating habits, exercise as well as love and wisdom into our daily lives. Finally the Ninth Mandala brings us full circle in this amazing Mandala of life. The Ninth Mandala is the gateway to further evolution on this grand spiral staircase that is human existence. Each of the Nine Mandalas is built on the foundation of the last with the ultimate goal of reaching a higher level of self-discovery and enlightenment.

It is truly my hope that after reading the Responsive Universe some of your views and perspectives in life will have changed for the better. Hopefully you will find new empowerment and see the world as a beautiful place with plenty of space and synchronicity. It is not my focus to create any upheaval in your belief systems or to claim one system of thought as wrong or right. My focus is to combine the wisdom of other authors and philosophers like myself and humbly put into words a more palatable vision of this Responsive Universe we live in. I do want to ask tough questions about god and religion but I leave the answers up to you. Each of us has our own path to walk on this adventure in life and only you can answer life’s most intriguing questions. My focus is to propose a fresh viewpoint and hopefully create an environment that may produce small, subtle shifts in perspective. Eventually, when you make space within the mind, clarity will arise within that space and your inner voice will speak wisdom. It is from that wisdom that your answers will materialize. Please remember everything you need in life to find bliss, happiness and healing energy is already found within your True Nature; it is already found in you!

I now humbly ask to be your guide… Shall we venture into the vast reaches of the Responsive Universe…

Sincerely,

John C. Bader

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How do you spot an Energy Vortex?

Energy Vortex? What is that?

Depending on how open and mindful you are – especially in nature; you may have noticed special places that exist here on Earth that hold higher levels of spiritual and, or quantum energy. Several notable places exist in Sedona Arizona for example. An energy vortex is a unique place where the quantum energies found here on Earth actually gather in a specific area or region. Mindful humans can sense these energies both in nature and in other humans. James Redfield is famous for writing about such energies in his Celestine book series. Dating back thousands of years, ancient civilizations have built churches and temples on or near these sites: Stonehenge in England, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Uluru-Kataijuta rock in Australia and the Pyramids of Egypt have all been documented as places akin to energy vortexes.

So how do you find these places locally? Well, also called Chakras, these special vortexes exist with varying levels of energy everywhere. Even the natural beauty of a forest, coastline or simply a sunset vista can hold higher levels of energy. On all accounts, it requires some effort from the person trying to connect to such energies. It is critical for a person to be focused in the present: Gone should be thoughts of the past and future which are typically rooted in fear and fantasy. Once our focus is fixed in the present, we can open up to the vast energy that is present in these unique places. I have a hunch that you too have felt this energy in one form or another. In general, we rarely pay attention to energy rushes or the peculiar fervor of a clear, sunny day because of our preoccupations with life. Yet I am sure everyone has had at least one moment where they tasted this kind of acute perception, especially while surrounded by nature.

In Sedona there are several energy vortexes within a 20 square mile radius. Many of the sites are marked by juniper trees whose branches and trunks are twisted and warped as if the energy present at this particular location is swirling – juniper trees at other locations do not represent this phenomenon. Two years ago, while researching my book, I traveled across America visiting places of beauty like Sedona; meditating at noted sites and blogging my experiences. The more mindful and aware you are; the more space and clarity you exhibit; the more connected you will be to these places. I have learned from experience that a sunny day can help accentuate these experiences. Clouds, trees, the ocean; it seems it is all connected in some form or facet. So, the objective is to be aware and you too will find your own prefect paradise in the backyard or somewhere locally. For me, the local forest preserve is where I spend several hours a week meditating and contemplating. There are several spots within this preserve that I am drawn to – it is there I feel centered, clear and connected. It is best to not over think such things; just simply revel in the beauty and energy of it all. Its purpose is simple.. to heal and connect us to the sublime…

So, resolutions aside, maybe make it a point to be a little more aware; especially in nature, and find that perfect meditative paradise you can call your very own church or sanctuary. This is something that can be shared or kept special just for you. Trust me on this… The proof is in the experience!

For more information about energy vortexes and meditating out in nature check out my blog series, Meditating Across America.

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

To find Beauty outside you must first find Beauty inside…

Though you may travel the world to find the beautiful, you must have it within you or you will find it not.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

How true is this quote from the legendary Ralph Waldo Emerson? Many times we need to learn wisdom from the hard lessons in life – sometimes the painful way… I learned this wisdom the difficult way after graduating college. I had the opportunity to work in Los Angeles at an advertising firm – a referral from a professor who saw talent in me. Instead, I decided to throw caution to the wind and move to Hawaii to surf and follow my heart wish (or what I thought was my heart wish). Sounds great right? Yet, something was not right. I had much to still learn about myself and this thing called life.  My mindfulness was shortsighted and I could not put my finger on why I felt uncomfortable within; a boutique of bad habits, lacking self-esteem and energy. The result was one of the most humbling experiences ever: A mélange of bad karma that fed bad luck all of which contributed to the severed friendship of two great friends, a shattered ankle and a broken wrist; a job so inadequate I was on the cusp of poverty; left to picking sticky nickels out of the sofa to buy .99 cent burgers off the value menu. So downtrodden,  injured and mired with bills, I could not even surf some of the best waves in the world – and through it all I could not even remember the main reason I moved to Hawaii; all of this conflict and suffering while living under the warm and beautiful tropical sun. How ironic… Suffering in paradise…?

Ego and negative energy will follow you where ever you go… My own trappings from childhood and the demons of false-self traveled with me to paradise. But it was not a paradise. It was one of the most humbling experiences in my life. I look back on that experience now and see the art of the event; I see the wisdom from such encounters with suffering (and the cause of that suffering). The two long years I lived in Hawaii I grew from a boy to a man – from confusion to clarity. From that experience alone, I have learned that you can travel the world and find  beauty, but if you are not centered and self-actualized within; you will not experience beauty; only suffering. Our ego and false-self can create a mirror image or mirage that may look beautiful on the surface but deep down the root of such beauty is only veiled by the suffering intrinsic to our actions and reactions. Still the wisdom is to learn from such experiences – to evolve and prosper on the backbone of false-self – seizing a new day – a new paradise wherever you call home.

I look back on those days with some indifference; my feelings are complicated as the situations that created the memories now archived in my head. Still, we cannot escape our past for it is that old weed covered path we walked years ago that has led us to this point in the present. From negativity we can find wisdom; and from wisdom we can move soundly forward, clear, connected and self-actualized.

Aloha…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Free excerpt from the Responsive Universe!

your journey to self-discovery begins now…

Available at Amazon.com and BN.com

A common thread in this book is our need and ability to question authority and to confirm that what we learn, from societal, political, and spiritual points of view, is valid information. Just think of how science and philosophy continually evolve. At times, changes in theory are so drastic; they rewrite encyclopedias and scientific journals. The 1500’s, for example, brought an amazing revolution of thinking. During the life of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, the church and state of Europe held the belief that the Earth was the center of the Universe, around which the Sun and all stars revolved. This theory was so adamantly believed, that authorities punished anyone who contested it. One man, however, set the world on its heels – Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei – by proving through use of the scientific method that the Earth was not the center of the Universe. The Catholic Church was quick to label the theories of Galileo, Copernicus, and the like ridiculous and even blasphemous. It wasn’t until March of 1984 that Pope John Paul II finally conceded and corrected a 350 year wrong.

I cite this reference to laud free minds like Galileo and Copernicus, whose challenges to their world’s belief system threatened their lives. These scientists died long before we caught up and celebrated their theories as the monumental scientific discoveries they were. I can only imagine their frustration – forever fighting the ignorance that ran unchallenged in the highest echelons of power. Many free thinkers still face punishment and ostracism for their beliefs today. I find comfort in imagining that Galileo and Copernicus did not waver from their theories until the day they died. As long as you have faith in your beliefs, you will instill that faith into an entire system of thought that defines you as an individual.

My writing and my beliefs are in the spirit of free minds like Galileo and Copernicus – they constantly evolve and adapt over the course of my life as I take in more information and learn. Living is an evolutionary process of maturity and wisdom. We have to remain receptive to new information and be able to adapt and change on a daily basis. The theory that rankled the church during Galileo’s time was the idea that we were not the center of the Universe. I think that no matter what we have proven scientifically over the centuries, we still have problems accepting that the world does not, in fact, revolve around us. After my awakening several years ago, I saw a fleeting vision of a true reality where an energy force connected every atom in the Universe. In my mind’s eye, I saw that God or creation is so vast and magnificent, that it is almost incomprehensible. That vastness gets distilled and made comprehensible by two thousand-year old parables whose interpretations by the church rarely adapt and evolve with changing times. We are not the center of the Universe; we are merely part of something so immense it boggles the imagination.

No matter how much philosophic and scientific discoveries change our reality, one principle will remain constant over time – we will always desire to know why we exist and how our Universe operates. The thoughts we think today may seem ludicrous to future generations. They may even seem ludicrous to us twenty years down the road. The vital thing is for us to live with faith in our belief systems coupled with a complete trust and openness for change. There may come a time in the future when humans will become all-knowing and achieve the essence of divine awareness. Until then, we live with at least a little bit of blind faith that something magnificent created the Universe. Even if we come to a full understanding of the Cosmos, there still could be something instinctual and responsive that defies complete explanation behind creation. The key to gaining a greater understanding of how life operates, however, starts by surrendering one’s ego to a more spacious vision of the Universe.

We live on a small planet and our existence is all interconnected. Could we be so petty that just views and customs divide us? If we truly realized our common bond as people, threats of war and poverty could be admonished. Once you get a feeling that you are part of this magnificent dynamism, and that by gaining greater clarity and awareness in life, you are contributing to the greater good of humanity, in some facet you will awaken. An amazing feeling or thought will surround you. It may be gradual or instantaneous, but it will be powerful. It might be like seeing the most beautiful thing in the world and feeling its energy and warmth from the inside out. For a moment you may feel like all is right and well in the world. The feeling however is fleeting, as concerns and fears flood it out. You may have felt this feeling before – just a mere taste of enlightenment is intoxicating. It even seems to transcend pleasurable brain chemicals into something far more aesthetic. This feeling of bliss and wholeness is a good indication that you are heading in the right direction in life. Our goal is to achieve these high levels of illumination more regularly in an effort to end suffering and perpetuate happiness.

What we should take from the likes of Copernicus and Galileo is that questioning authority and adapting thought is one of the most extraordinary gifts we have as humans. Both scientists were free thinkers in a close-minded world, but they held onto their faiths and truths, and eventually, the rest of the world caught up to them. Scientifically speaking, Earth is not the center of the Universe. Metaphorically speaking, our egos are not the center of everything either. We are all part of something far bigger than ourselves; something we can’t yet explain but have tried over the centuries to describe in scriptures whose interpretations do not hold up in changing times. What we do know is that accepting the Universe’s vastness and awakening to our part in its function and beauty leads us to a feeling of happiness where we feel a part of something connected and sublime. This road to enlightenment and personal fulfillment is a long and winding path. It doesn’t matter if you or I look back on these words with a different pair of eyes years down the road. This is where we are now on our journey in life. Each day writes new chapters, and an important part of our journey begins here – living with an open mind.

your comments are appreciated…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

New Responsive Universe Promo Video

Did you know you can meditate anytime and anywhere?

Welcome to the One Week Responsive Universe Challenge - as seen on MindBodyGreen!

“If you are new to practice (meditation) it’s important to realize that simply to sit on that cushion for fifteen minutes is a victory”.

-          Charlotte Joko Beck

If you are having a difficult time connecting to meditation you are not alone. Have you tried to meditate only to end up frustrated and more agitated than when you started? It’s okay.

The first step in meditation is to simply be aware – mindful of all those thoughts careening through your head…. Most of the time we just let thoughts run ramped, simply unaware. Once you stop and actually focus on the steady stream of thoughts you realize it is a pretty busy place up there in the mind. No wonder some of us have a hard time falling asleep.

Where do thoughts arise from? Can you pin point it? Where do they go? Does the mind have a border or perimeter? Meditation only asks for mindfulness – nothing more…

What really is meditation? Meditation is the conscious focus of the present. What is happening right now? That is meditation… When we let our thoughts run ramped we are replaying tapes of fear and fantasy, past and future – the director of this mental function is your ego. When you root your mind in the present you are creating gaps between those thoughts of fear and fantasy, past and future. Your ego is powerless. You are living in the moment; present, authentic and connected to your True Nature – that is meditation: The focus is on what is happening right now – the experience at hand and all the feelings and emotions associated with that moment… and the next moment… and the next moment….

Did you know you can meditate anytime and anywhere?

I do bike riding meditations all the time. Walking meditations are great too because any meditation that includes exercise is fantastic! I have this beautiful forest preserve near my home with miles of trails that traverse ponds, tree tunnels, marshes and wild flower fields – no man made intervention, few people, lots of birds and sometimes perfect clouds above. As I ride, I connect to what is around me and not the continuous thoughts in my head. As I ride I breathe in the sweet air, notice the intricacies and beauty of nature and in doing so; stretch those gaps in my mind between aimless thoughts. Within those authentic gaps is this sublime connection to energy, relaxation, reverence and bliss. Most times I will ride between 10-17 miles which can take up to 2 hours. Along the way I will stop and simply settle into the moment around me. My thoughts slow, inspiration and awareness is fine-tuned and there is this heartfelt feeling that I am evolving in the right direction.

That is meditation….

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Lazy Clouds on a Summer Afternoon

Recently….

Have you taken the precious time to just lay on your back outside

and watch the clouds just float by without much thought of anything?

Try it….

…..You might like it

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Manifest Destiny – Finale

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED my blog series titled “Manifest Destiny” – Meditating across America. I learned a lot from this trip and since then I have really connected on sublime levels with the bond of Nature and Universe. It is hard to explain, but I just feel comfortable in the outdoors and I have found meditation to be especially powerful under the sun and clouds. I will talk more about this energy and experience in the Responsive Universe – Meditations and Daily Life Practice – scheduled for “Official Online Release” this July 4th, 2012 at 8am CST.

Thanks for all your time and consideration – JCB

 

 

Wauconda, IL (home)

4830 Miles Traveled

And so my adventure ends, “Meditating across America”, to Manifest Destiny. Over the course of two and a half weeks, I have traveled through 12 states and visited many amazing places and people. In some ways it was a bittersweet trip: It was wonderful to see family and friends in California; to surf and soak up the Pacific sun and the opportunity to travel and hike some of the most beautiful places west of the Great Lakes. Yet, there was some challenging aspects to my trip as well. Driving seven to eight hours a day was arduous and the plight of America in places like the Navajo Nation and tornado devastated Joplin were eye opening experiences. Still to drive across so many diverse geographical regions and exploring the different cultures and demographics was in itself rewarding.

searching for round chakra rocks at the beach was a simple walking meditation exercise that achieved full mindfulness of the moment.

The premise of this journal series was to explore Energy Vortexes across America. As discussed in previous blog entries, scenic places of beauty tend to hold higher levels of energy – or so I thought before disembarking on this road trip adventure. As I traveled across the Great Plains, spacious views would open up for miles in every direction. There is a quality of space and openness associated with big sky vistas. In the mountains of Colorado I connected to the epic beauty and grandiose sights of the Maroon Bells near Aspen. There amidst the snow-kissed peaks, I felt peace and inspiration that bought forth an acute level of awareness; a natural high of sorts. Across the red canyons and ravines of Utah came feelings of comfortable desolation and revelations of how small we really are in the grand scheme of the Cosmos. When I finally reached the coast, the healing ocean and scenic coastline brought back vivid memories of childhood but also the loss of my firstborn ten years ago. Bittersweet indeed, but seeing old friends and family made the trip all the more rewarding. Then of course there is Sedona and its famous healing vortexes. Hiking up Bell Rock was an amazing experience. I found the longer I stayed in Sedona the more energy I felt. There was even a lack of energy sensed upon my departure from Arizona. Throughout the entire trip I focused on my mindfulness of the moment – keeping my center and thoughts rooted in the present. I enjoyed some very productive and energy infused meditations, especially under the watchful eye of God; in the tranquil and unfettered dominion of nature.  Yet, even through the hustle and bustle of Chicago, peace was found. Truthfully, I can even find peace and inspiration meditating in my living room at home. So what conclusions can be deduced from all of these experiences?

Image by Tracey Dunba

It seems we are all products of God. The natural beauty of the Maroon Bells, the Pacific Ocean and Sedona are all products of God – as is the City of Chicago and the utter desolation of Utah’s southern deserts. Everything is a product of God. When I use the word “God” I am describing everything that exists in the universe: The vibrating waves of Quantum energy, the love we feel for a friend or spouse, the loss of a child and the birth of another. The essence of God is indefinable as it relates to the universe. To even think one can comprehend such concepts and designs is egoistical and futile. We as humans have yet to evolve to a level where the concept of God can be truly defined and understood. Still, we can revel in its beauty and immensity: The beauty of nature and the beauty of energy as it relates to our True Nature. It is enough to know we are a part of something so vast and special it tends to overwhelm the rational mind. It seems there is an energy and peace within us all – and all of this is somehow connected to nature and our intrinsic self. We can touch and wield its energy and power through compassion, karma and mindfulness. Still, the true, unfettered nature that is Mother Earth seems to bring us closer to the concept of God as it relates to everything. Maybe the synapses that connect humans with their soul or True Nature are easily coupled by raw unadulterated beauty – this is especially true for the many people that do not connect to these rudimentary concepts with ease. For many, the ego and a false perception of life muddles our True Nature and it takes amazing energy sources like Sedona to help bring forth this clarity. For a lucky few, the energy is already found inside our being – a source of empowerment that can be found in even the most ordinary places. So, it seems the concept of God as it relates to the universe and the concept of energy as it relates to Cosmos is already found within. Places of beauty like the Maroon Bells and Sedona only help us connect to this dynamism with more vigor and intensity. The challenge for all of us is not to seek out places of beauty like mountains and canyons, but seek a beauty and energy that lies within. It is then, that a true responsiveness of energy and life transcends this existence we call life.

My journey to Manifest Destiny is complete.

John C Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Manifest Destiny – Part VII.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

3150 Miles Traveled

Sunset over the desert Mesa

I was sad to see Sedona go in my rearview mirror. I feel as if there was an amplified energy that continued to build the longer I stayed within its red rock reaches. I felt some amazing feelings of energy akin to the beauty that is Sedona but it was the lack of energy entering New Mexico that was more perplexing.

I visited the City of Gallup, just across the New Mexico border from Arizona. My Wife and I wanted to search for reasonably priced turquoise jewelry. My Grandfather, an old cowboy familiar with these parts said we should search the trading post/pawn shops that dot the border. The prices were through the roof despite a slumping economy, and disappointed, we did not purchase anything. I drove out of Gallup with a cold negative energy that seem to float over the dusty streets. It seemed as though all the local Indians were pawning their family heirlooms to make ends meet. The poor neighborhoods that dotted the landscape east were a grim reminder of how depressed west New Mexico really is. I felt sad for the Native American people that call this region their home. I felt a negative energy from people and the surroundings and was happy to leave for Albuquerque. All I can say is my heart goes out for these people. I think they need and deserve our compassion even if they greet tourists such as me with cold, indigent stares – not to mention, negative energy. I know Native Americans are very spiritual people and unfortunately they are victims to the social/political climate here in the US.

Still, the day was not a complete bust: Once in Albuquerque, I was greeted with an amazing sunset. I sort of consider myself a sunset connoisseur. I especially love tropical sunsets as the sun sets over the ocean. Still, here in Albuquerque, with the sun setting over the desert mesa, this moment (as shown below) is hard to beat. Sunsets can bring so much energy to just an ordinary vista. One does not need scenic mountain peaks or red rock canyons when the perfect painting of clouds and refracting light can make any moment at dusk extra special. This was a special sunset and I will post this journal now and continue to enjoy the afterglow that greets the night in New Mexico.

Tomorrow, the panhandle of Texas and then Oklahoma City as I grind my way home back to Illinois. Between you, me, and the cactus out here in New Mexico, I am ready to come home!

We will talk soon

John C Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Manifest Destiny – Part VI.

Sedona, Arizona

2830 Miles Traveled

The Court House

After reaching the ocean on my trip to Manifest Destiny, my travels now loop back to the Southwest deserts. I traversed the brutal Mojave Desert from California to Arizona, where I experienced 115 degree temperatures. My journey across America in search of Energy Vortexes now takes me to Sedona, AZ. Sedona is famous for its spiritual and meditative powers; a power or energy that seems to transcend all religion and faiths. An Energy Vortex is a unique place that exhibits subtle levels of swirling energy that some say actually permeates from the red rocks and outcroppings surrounding Sedona and Oak Creek. During my adventures in Colorado, I confirmed that the more picturesque and scenic a site is the more energy it seems to permeate. The Maroon Bells near Aspen, Co. are a perfect example. Still Sedona is a little different. One can always find higher levels of energy in natural places of beauty. Energy can be found in trees, mountains and even people. Yet, here in Sedona, there is a dynamism that takes the concept of energy to an entirely different level. It is even a viable business as paid guides lead tourists to the different Vortex points around the region.

The Airport Vortex

I experienced three individual Energy Vortexes while visiting Sedona and its outlying areas. The first stop was the “Airport Vortex”. This particular Vortex can be found close to town, off of 89A on Airport Road. The Airport Vortex features a chasm saddle shaped mesa which is surrounded by many canyon walls and rusty rims.  I hiked up a trail that lead to a lookout that provided inspiring views. The key is to look for special Juniper trees which dot the hills sides. Most Juniper trees are normal looking as their branches and trunks reach straight for the sky above. Still, if you are mindful of your surroundings, look for the occasional twisted and gnarled variation that indicates there is a higher level of energy present. It was my Wife that actually found the perfect spot: The trunk and branches of this specific Juniper where twisted and tormented as if there was a mysterious force at work. It was here with Canyon views in all directions that one could feel a change in the environment: An uplifting feeling that welled up from within.

The Cathedral Vortex

The next stop was the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a beautiful stone Catholic Church nestled into the red rock canyon walls overlooking the “Cathedral Rock” Vortex (off of Chapel Road). The Church was beautiful as was its immediate surroundings: The canyon walls displayed textures and faces that look like they had stories to tell. The Cathedral Rock Vortex looked like a monument built by God sitting alone on a desert floor. It’s towers of red rock and spires where magnificent. At the time, there was a lone thunderhead sitting directly above the edifice. The clouds here in Sedona are interesting: They tend to swirl and make odd shapes that seem indigenous to this region.

Near the apex of Bell Rock

The “Bell Rock” Vortex is considered the most famous and powerful of the sites here in Sedona. It is here I took several hours to climb its red features and actually meditate for 45 minutes in a special spot near a twisted and tangled Juniper tree. Bell Rock is located off of HWY 179, just North of the Oak Creek Village. I was exhausted and a bit cranky after driving 500 miles the day before through scorching heat. I also have a wicked blister on my foot the size of a quarter (thanks to hiking in California) that makes walking and climbing painful and challenging. Yet, as I hiked to the mid section of Bell Rock, there was a noticeable energy transformation: I was enveloped with a complete attitude adjustment and my pain and sore muscles were washed away. It was clear there are healing properties at work at Bell Rock. There was a point at the top of my climb that I had the entire monument to myself – my meditation was peaceful and inspiring. During my meditation session a large thunder-storm began oscillating to the west. Its distant thunder almost seemed like a warning that this is as close to heaven mortals are allowed to travel. Almost immediately, the stifling 99 degree air dropped to the upper 70s – goose bumps materialized on my skin and a shiver rolled through my body. At one point, I laid on my back and watched the clouds swirl above the Bell Rock peak – much like Maroon Bells, there was this visual evidence that high levels of energy were present. It was enough to feel its healing qualities, but there is also tangible evidence of energy as well.

Famous Bell Rock in Sedona

I have to be honest now. I have traveled over 2800 miles in search of natural sources of energy – It is my opinion that all places of beauty hold higher levels of energy and lets face it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have worked hard over the years to be spiritually mindful of my interior qualities as well as my surroundings. I have a clarity and responsiveness to life that has taken years to craft. I feel the energy here in Sedona and there is no doubt this is a special place. From a scenic standpoint, it is a 10 in my book. Still, I felt similar energy rushes in Colorado and even in my back yard at home. My honesty disappoints me in the fact that I was hoping to come to Sedona and find something magnificent. I did find inspiration and peace, but that is intrinsic to my being. Maybe the beauty and energy is all inside us and certain places like Sedona or Maroon Bells helps facilitate a better medium to connect to such energies? My wife brought up a good point: Annamarie stated that maybe such places like Sedona require more effort? It might take 5 individual hikes up to Bell Rock to slowly preen the energies present – and maybe each experience will be different: The gift may be the combined experiences over years of appreciation. I can tell you that this will not be my last trip to Sedona.

Up next, New Mexico as I meditate across America. There is more to come later this week as I begin my long drive home.

______________________________________________________________

IMAGES: (in order of appearance)

“The Court House”: This edifice sits next to Bell Rock and is amazing to behold.

“Airport Vortex”: There were a lot of gnarled trees in this area – definitely a lot of energy!

“Cathedral Rock Vortex”: One of the more stunning rock formations in Sedona. There was a unique looking thunder head that was sitting right over the formation. There were no clouds anywhere else in the sky at the time.

“Bell Rock Vortex”: After hiking  midway up, I took this image laying on my back looking up at the peak of Bell Rock. The clouds actually appeared to be vortexing around its apex.

“Bell Rock Vortex”: Known to be one of the more powerful Vortexes in Sedona.

John C Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Manifest Destiny – Part V.

Dana Point, California

2231 Miles Traveled

Salt Creek Beach

Manifest Destiny! I have finally reached the Pacific Ocean on my adventure, “Meditating across America”, in search of Energy Vortexes. I can only imagine what early explorers and settlers must have thought when they caught their first glimpse of the ocean blue. It was definitely a sight to behold after traveling through the heart of America the last week. My adventure has reached its midpoint of discovery: I have already explored the far reaches of Chicago, the great Midwest plains, the mountains of Colorado and the canyons and ravines of Utah. Now, I am greeted by the warm summer waters of the Pacific.

The ocean and beach are special places for me. I was born near the ocean and was raised by the beach. The love that song by Jimmy Buffett titled, A Pirate Looks at Forty: ” Mother mother ocean, I have heard you call. Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall. You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all.” I am a pirate looking at forty so this song resonates more than you know. Still, for me it is not the lyrics or old childhood memories of the beach that brings my sentiments full circle; it is the first whiffs of the salty sand and beach that reminds me of the past and settles me here in the present.

I have lived in the Midwest for five years now, but before that the Dana Point area was my home for almost three decades. I grew up, went to school and even married out here on the west coast. I have gained a lot, but I have also lost a lot here. In 2000 my wife and I lost our first child: An almost full term stillborn baby. It was a devastating experience for both my wife and I. Through my suffering and toil, the ocean and beach has become my temple of sorts. It was near here at Monarch Beach, that I cast the ashes of little John Jr. into the sea on one sad and unforgettable afternoon. This intimate loss forced me to confront suffering at all levels of my existence: From a forgettable childhood to struggling with low self esteem, the loss of my first child was the final emotional blow – from that time forward, I vowed to search for enlightenment and understanding. I began studying Buddhism and began questioning conventional western based religion. I knew there had to be more to life but I did not know how to attain it. At one point, I even lost my faith in God. I felt alone, depressed and without recourse. It was an awakening I experienced several years ago that showed me the light. I finally understood why good people die young and why bad things happen to nice folks. I found God not in a Bible or from the mouth of a priest, but inside me! My efforts to find happiness in a world of indifference was a difficult and challenging road, but it has been a rewarding one. My most recent literary work, The Responsive Universe (coming Christmas 2011), is a product of my success in self-actualization. I have found a less trodden path to happiness and now I want to share it with others.

Many new gifts have been handed to me over the years since: A wonderful marriage, my new son Ethan and a clarity and wisdom to reach for the most that life offers. I am blessed and thankful for my life. I am not perfect, but I work hard to be something beyond just the flesh and bone of man. I have a true openness to life and a responsiveness to connect to the energy within: My True Nature. Here at the coastline, it is possible to simply look out upon its blue waters and visualizes a life with less suffering. I cast my son’s ashes into these waters over ten years ago and this week I will be mindful of casting my suffering, attachments and ego into these healing waters. As I wade into the warm ocean, I can’t help feel the healing attributes both physically and mentally. The ocean and coastline is almost therapeutic. The ocean is where I was born and it is where I want to die.

San Clemente Pier

The sound of rolling waves crashing on the shore; the sand between my toes and the squeal of a seagull in the distance. Palm trees dot the shore and a sailboat catches a wind line across the point. The smell of salt and sea; a cool breeze permeates off blue horizons. A deep breath and exhalation brings clarity and awareness – the sun warms my being as I settle into the peaceful environment that is the coast. At sunset, I sat on the beach, facing westward. A few errant clouds in the sky were ablaze with shades of red and purple. The sun sunk into the horizon bloated and distorted as it slipped into infinity. A gentle ocean breeze enveloped me as I thought back to another time – how simple things once were and how quick time has passed by. Still the governing thought was really how lucky I am to be alive, healthy and sitting here on the beach, mindful and present in the moment.

Coming up next, Sedona, AZ as I begin the journey back along Route 66. For now, I think I am going to enjoy the beach, go surfing and relax. I will talk to you early later this week.

John C Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com