Zion Canyon - A spiritual journey
It is rare that one one gets a chance to make a spiritual journey alone from our busy life - at least it has not happened much to me in the last two decades, it was always a family trip (Note - I loved the family trips also ... they are focused for family bonding). A week back, I got a chance to take few days off and just be alone, away from work, family and Trump news (to say the least). I have been hiking /biking alone but it is the same route ... the journey has to be somewhere new ... somewhere you can do things impromptu and some risks. To me, nature is the best place to connect with onself. That's why monks have gone to Himalayas or to remote location such as Tiger Nest monastery in Bhutan to reflect. I have yet to find any spiritual journey when I go to temple or church. Whether you visit the Puri temple or Vatican church or Blue Mosque, the external factors such as history, art, architecture, legend and mystery attracts more than the spiritual reflection.
I had visited Zion canyon more than 20+ years ago as part of a canyon family trip. I wanted to re-visit it as in a "un-tourist" way i.e., do some hiking, spend time exploring in a unplanned way and also do some kid like semi-risky things (like climbing to a cave or walking in freezing water). I got a chance to do do that and on top it do it alone - the best way to enjoy and reflect.
I started driving alone at 4:30 am. Drove the next 700+ miles alone. Driving alone can be therapeutic also. I decided not to listen to listen any news; early morning I listened to some bhajans from Pt. Jasraj and Rajan/Sajan Mishra, it was awesome! Listening to them in higher than normal sound level (normally I can not do that when I am not driving alone) was music. In the afternoon I listened to some jazz songs - rest of the time ... looked outside. It is spectacular to see the wide variety of nature during the 12+ hr driving journey.
The colors of Zion canyon during the sunrise and sunset are spectacular. I started hiking around 8 am. It was cold (very cold) .. I was not prepared for it well - that was the goal! No one is prepared for life .. we all adapt as we go forward. I did not have gloves but luckily found my exercise gloves which helped a bit but the tip of fingers were freezing. After some small hikes, I decide to do a bigger hike (hike to Observation Point, a 4-6 hr hike). I hardly saw two people while hiking for first 3 hrs. It was amazing experience hiking alone in the cold, unknown place - it is spiritual - loved it! There is nothing to describe ... just experience it.
I am not a good photographer but here are some pictures. Make a trip and see the beauty of nature. I hope that I can do this at least once a year. Planning to do a hike the Half-dome (Yosemite) and/or Grand canyon this year (let's see how far I succeed - half dome depends upon lottery permit).
Best wishes for your spiritual journey!
I had visited Zion canyon more than 20+ years ago as part of a canyon family trip. I wanted to re-visit it as in a "un-tourist" way i.e., do some hiking, spend time exploring in a unplanned way and also do some kid like semi-risky things (like climbing to a cave or walking in freezing water). I got a chance to do do that and on top it do it alone - the best way to enjoy and reflect.
I started driving alone at 4:30 am. Drove the next 700+ miles alone. Driving alone can be therapeutic also. I decided not to listen to listen any news; early morning I listened to some bhajans from Pt. Jasraj and Rajan/Sajan Mishra, it was awesome! Listening to them in higher than normal sound level (normally I can not do that when I am not driving alone) was music. In the afternoon I listened to some jazz songs - rest of the time ... looked outside. It is spectacular to see the wide variety of nature during the 12+ hr driving journey.
The colors of Zion canyon during the sunrise and sunset are spectacular. I started hiking around 8 am. It was cold (very cold) .. I was not prepared for it well - that was the goal! No one is prepared for life .. we all adapt as we go forward. I did not have gloves but luckily found my exercise gloves which helped a bit but the tip of fingers were freezing. After some small hikes, I decide to do a bigger hike (hike to Observation Point, a 4-6 hr hike). I hardly saw two people while hiking for first 3 hrs. It was amazing experience hiking alone in the cold, unknown place - it is spiritual - loved it! There is nothing to describe ... just experience it.
I am not a good photographer but here are some pictures. Make a trip and see the beauty of nature. I hope that I can do this at least once a year. Planning to do a hike the Half-dome (Yosemite) and/or Grand canyon this year (let's see how far I succeed - half dome depends upon lottery permit).
Best wishes for your spiritual journey!
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