My friend decided to surprise me by purchasing two tickets on a couple of the Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona. The ubiquitous pink jeep is hard to miss in town. They are simply everywhere. Unfortunately, my friend did not know that I have scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, and had to wear a back brace for two years. Nor did he know that I have three slipped discs. The last time I tried riding a roller coaster, I was slouched over for two days and riding through the rugged terrain here was going to be a rougher ride than any roller coaster. Not to mention the fact, that this adventure company doesn't want you to be on their tours if you have back issues.
My friend also didn't know that I have certain phobias—i.e. fear of heights, fear of falling and fear of anything that scared me...and climbing rocks at seemingly 90 degree angles scared me. However, I looked into his eyes and saw that he was so excited for this gift that I didn't have the heart to tell him about all of my issues. So, I faced my fears and did it anyway.
My first concern was for my back. Since I have a daily meditation practice, I thought this might be the best option for me to survive the ride with my back still in tact. I didn't close my eyes, cross my legs and repeat the mantra Om. In fact, if I didn't tell you I was in a trance, you wouldn't have known. I was still talking, smiling, wrapping the blanket they provided around me to try to keep warm and observing the spectacular views. However, as we drove I was indeed in a light trance, focusing on the health of my back. I kept repeating in my mind that my back was in perfect condition—aligned in my body and aligned with the Divine. Knowing that empty words without the feeling behind them doesn't work, I had to force myself to believe it was all true. Over and over I repeated my mantra in my mind as I visualized my back in perfect health. Our minds are powerful creators and I was creating perfection in my body.
Low and behold, it worked! It was my first time attempting this light trance state and I was elated that I was able to keep my focus.
In the meantime, I still had the phobias to deal with. We initially drove up a tame road to get to where we were going. The driver then paused, warning us it was going to get a whole lot more bumpy. Needless to say, he was right...and bumpy did not clearly define what we were experiencing. Let's just put it this way, I am certain we would have flown out of the jeeps, if our seat belts weren't on as tightly as they were. With each rise and fall, I continued breathing into my fears, allowing all the energy from the Universe to keep me in check. It worked too.
Towards the end of the three-hour ride we drove up the steepest incline and I thought surely we might fall backwards. I would never have imagined walking this cliff side, let alone driving up to its top, but here I was nonetheless, doing just that. I definitely belted out a few screams along with a bunch of laughter on that one...as did everyone else on the trip—including the passengers in the jeep directly behind us. Amazingly, we all did it and survived the feat.
So, here I was doing all the things I "don't like" and I was actually liking it. I am not sure if I will ever do it again, but I am thrilled that I did it on this one occasion with my friend to share it with. I was not only able to face the fears I have had since childhood, I moved through them with grace. I also maintained my health simply by keeping my focus and the best part of it all was that we were able to see the most magnificent sites that I would not have been able to view had I not moved through this experience. It truly felt as though I was in God's country in these back areas of Sedona—and I wouldn't have been able to see it all without the aid of this pink jeep.
I must say, it was well worth the trip.
***Please note I am not a doctor and anything I write is not necessarily encouragement from me to try the same. I am simply writing what has worked for me personally.
To read this and other articles such as this one, please visit http://thespiritofsedona.blogspot.com/
Lisa Tunney is a metaphysician
with an accessible approach. She has been described as “Sex and the City meets the Dalai Lama”. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from U.C. Berkeley and a Master’s Degree in Metaphysics from the American Institute of Holistic Theology. Additionally, she is a Reiki Master, Shamanic Practitioner, Intuition Development Teacher, Philosopher and author of the upcoming inspirational books, Blossoming Butterfly and The Seed Planter. Through the various avenues of teaching she pursues, she integrates laughter, intuition, storytelling, and most importantly, it is her goal to help guide others to listen to their own Inner Wisdom.