I’ve just returned from a trip to Sedona, AZ where I was struck by images of intense beauty and extreme conditions. As the sun rose very early one morning (5:30AM to be exact), my husband and I hiked up to an 800 year old Sinagua cliff dwelling tucked away in Red Rock country. Hiking in silence, we soon caught site of the stonewall ruins that housed multiple families, perched precariously on the side of the mountain above us.
Sin-agua by definition means “no water”, which left me wondering why they would choose such a site. Blinding sun, dry desert landscape, prickly vegetation and rattlesnakes. And yet, the towering red rocks created goddess-like formations that were astoundingly beautiful. Could it have been the mystical quality of the landscape that drew the Sinaguans to the area? Hunting and gathering was a simple existence – survival in its purest form. There wasn’t much distraction from the intention of putting a roof overhead, food in the belly, and tending to the needs of family and community.
Ironically, I imagine today’s definition of a cliff dweller to be someone who “lives on the edge”, implying huge risk-taking or flirting with danger. Our culture honors loud, attention-getting personalities, extreme sports, working overtime and living large. So, I’ve been wondering… without the busyness and distractions of modern life, which personality types would our society honor: Leaders? Healers? Communicators? Craft-people? Farmers? Hmmm… sounds like a world where being an introvert is revered.
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photo of a cliff dwelling in Sedona, AZ
Comments
Bravo Joan, I concur!
Your reflections speak directly to me this morning. Ever since I returned a few days ago from Sedona with my daughter, I have been having conversations with my children about keeping life simple so that they have time to spend living their lives consciously and peacefully. Acquiring has it’s burden. It can be a major time sucker. Also we seem to be moving into a time where a connection to our heart is the (absolute) necessary ingredient to health and well-being. I sense that more and more people everyday are rethinking what ‘returning to their roots’ or ‘the basics’ means for them. For me, it is about pure food, less is better, sharing abundance, listening,supporting, healing, and celebrating. Healers, farmers, communicators, leaders, artists, builders are emerging as the workforce and community of this ‘new earth’.
The move to a more introverted perspective feels like we are all learning to listen to the bigger part of ourselves, aka higher selves, instead of the external noise (agendas, hooks, negative energy and fear.) Revering our ‘knowingness’. When I heed this pure inner wisdom, my choice is clear. The more I listen each day and in dream time, the more perfectly guided I feel in each moment.
ps. Hope you enjoyed your trip, Joan. And what about those red rocks? I couldn’t find one person who was grumpy in Sedona.! That vibe rocks!
Melissa, Interesting perspective to think about the world in general taking a more introverted path. And speaking of paths, I wonder if ours crossed in Sedona! Thank you for your thoughts.
Hampshire alumns get this stuff, no surprise there!