Does a place have the power to Heal?
There are two ways that a place can heal.
Any place that we form a relationship with has the power to lend us its energy. It could be a park that you frequently visit or a tree in your back yard. If we establish a connection with the land, it becomes our friend and through this friendship, healing may come about. A place may shift us with it's presence, whisper its wisdom if we're open, or simply touch us in a way that changes our perception of ourselves and the world forever. Any place that we resonate with can adopt us and become our Healing Place of Power.
However, some places innately possess more healing energy. These Healing Places of Power, usually located in the wilderness, have a unique vibe, where you feel your awareness heightening by merely being there. It could be a particular volcano, a natural hot spring, desert canyon, waterfall, cave, river gorge, a meadow full of wildflowers, rapids, a mountain and or an old oak tree. Some places seem to be pervaded with a field of energy that uplifts and expands our consciousness. Different Healing Places lend themselves to different types of healing. Here are a few guidelines to choosing a natural healing place that suits your needs.
Read each of the descriptions and see which places appeal to you, then explore the links in that section, and see if you are invited to delve into the mystery of that place.
Canyonlands
One word sums up the Canyonlands of southern Utah - otherworldly. With its Temples and Cathedrals carved out of red rock, staircase gorges, mazes, buttes, mesas and spires that stretch towards the sky in disbelief. The terrain can range from fairlyland to Martian landscape. Home to some of the most popular national parks in the United States such as Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion and Bryce, the canyonlands are a place of surreal beauty and deep mystery. When we need to escape our lives, our little selves, and seek outside the normal realm of possibilities, it's time to head to the Canyonlands. It is a place that will shift you out of your habitual patterns of thinking and acting. Tired of feeling or being a certain way, head to this part of the planet and ask it to guide you on a different path. This is a place that bridges the waking and dreaming worlds. When you seek to tap into the possibilities and power of your Greater Self, you may find them easier to access in the fantastical Canyonlands.
Bryce Zion Grand Canyon Havasupai Moab Parks (Arches, Canyonlands National Park)
Caves
When we need to turn inwards, it it best to seek a cave. Caves are womb-like. When we are in need of the earths' protective energies, caves can help. If you can't get to a cave, seek out a tree. Find a tree that resonates with you and that you can sit under, comfortably, preferably close to the trunk. Trees are also mini wombs. If you sit under a tree, its branches shade you from above, while its roots shield you from underneath. If you suffer from an illness that is invasive, in other words your body is being invaded, it may be good to spend time underneath a tree. The tree's protective presence might boost your bodies' immune system. If you're feeling more adventurous, climb on to it and sit in its' branches!
Desert
When you seek clarity, step into the desert. When we are feeling confused, lost, in need of direction, guidance, the desert is the place to take our questions. In the desert you can see for miles. The view is uncluttered, the air crystal clear. When you are wanting to simplify life, seek the minimalist landscape and energies of the desert. They will help you to find the essence of yourself.
For people with lung disorders (brochitis, pneumonia, or any other kind of respiratory infection) breathing dry desert air can help the body to combat the excess fluid build up in the lungs. Choose from one of the many fantastic resorts in Sedonna, Arizona or Canyon Ranch Resorts just outside Tuscon. Here you can receive soothing massage treatments to counter the muscle tension often accompanying lung disorders due to muscles having to work extra hard to get oxygen into the body. The combination of good food, sunshine, and clean desert air in a rejuvenating environment can help bring body, mind and spirit back into alignment, boosting your own bodies' ability to heal itself.
Forests
Forests are communities of trees and plants, abundant with life force. Walking in the forest, is an easy way to recharge our batteries. Different forests have very different qualities depending on what's growing there. A forest of rhodendrons where there are many flowering trees has a completely different vibe from a redwood forest where the trees reach up to the sky. When we need to feel protected, it is good to go sit under a tree. Trees not only provide us with shade but embrace us in their womb formed by roots running below us and their branches above.
Hot Springs
Natural Hot springs ooze waters that have bubbled up from deep within the earth, often laden with minerals and salts with beneficial, healing properties. Hot springs help us to really unwind – their steamy waters literally helping us to melt and let go of all our worries and tensions. Additionally, many natural hot springs are located in beautiful settings – next to rivers, in view of a mountain range or over-looking an ocean, thus inspiring us as they shift us into deep states of meditative relaxation. In the ancient world, healing centers often developed around these sacred spots and people journeyed from far of corners to avail themselves of their healing powers.
Lakes
Lakes come in all shapes and sizes. Some seem as large as the Ocean while others are more like a big pond. Like all bodies of water, lakes help to connect us with our Emotional Self. When we are feeling disconnected, cut off from our emotional vitality, it is time to go spend some time by a lake. A lot of healing can take place by simply allowing ourselves to feel. Feeling releases energy, clears blockages, and allows life force to once again flow freely through us. Lakes are also places of reflection. Lakes can help us to shift into a more contemplative space as we watch the reflections of trees, clouds, and light play on its waves.
Meadows
The meadow is a gentle, open space. Standing in the meadow we can feel the expanse of both sky and earth. Spending time in a meadow is a good way to shake off the claustropobia of urban living. When we are feeling closed down and in need of tenderness, its a good time to seek out the soft healing energies of a meadow. Maybe its spring or summer and the wildflowers are blooming. Watching them blossom, can trigger healing energies to unfold within us. Disease is often accompanied by contraction. Opening up might lift us into a different realm of consciousness Let yourself expand into the full space of the meadow. Wildflowers fill us with the possibilities of life. Remind us that we have many paths and directions to choose from. If you're feeling down, find a meadow full of wildflowers and let them cheer you up with their colorful delight.
Mountains
The mountains provide us with strength. Climbing a mountain takes a lot of strenth - the very process makes us stronger. When we are feeling weak, it's time to go spend time in the mountains. Let the mountains speak to you, lend you their strength, so you can walk tall again. Mountains, particularly forested ones are full of vitality. If you are feeling low energy, drained or think you need additional energy to fight off your disease, seek the mountains. The mountains will replenish your reserves. Walk in the mountains, breathe the crisp, refreshing air, full of prana or life force. If you are too weak to walk, then just sit in the mountains, take in the view, spend some time under a tree. Let yoursef feel the solidness of the mountains and store that feeling in your own body.
Ocean
The ocean is vast, bounteous with life and its waters always moving just like our feeling states. Its waves splash relentlessly. When we need power to overcome the challenges life has thrown our way, we can count on the ocean to lend us it's unbridled energy. The ocean is moody. It's waters can soothe as well as destroy. Its currents can be warm or freezing. It can teach us patience as it gradually wears the rocks into sand. When you wish to tap into your emotional being, spend time at the ocean. The ocean can help us to really get in touch with our feelings. The coast is also a place where two elements meet - it forms the edge between land and water. Spending time on the coast can put us in touch with our own inner edges.
Rapids
When we need to lose control, when we're holding onto a situation or person too tightly, afraid that letting go will cause us to crumble, that's when it's time to go over the rapids. Let them shake us loose. Rapids are also excellent for waking us up out of our stupor. River rafting is one of the most playful outdoor activities available. if you are in need of play, check out the rapids.
Rivers
Rivers flow. When we feel stuck in our lives. When we need to let go of old ideas, memories that are nolonger serving us, then its time to go sit by a river or better yet, get in. Feel the current sweep by and offer up to it what ever it is you wish to be freed from. Let it carry it away like a piece of driftwood riding the current.
Streams
A stream is a little river. Streams flow in a delicate way. They remind us to tread lightly as they giggle and gurgle their way accross the surface of the land. When we feel like we are shouldering too much responsibility, it's time to go seek the healing energy of a stream to remind us of our innate playful nature.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes are where the earths' molten hot larva seep out to the surface. Is there something deep within you that wants to emerge? Volcanos can help us get in touch with the deepest part of ourselves. They are great sources of vitality as hidden below the surface is an enormous reservoir of potential energy. It is no wonder that so many travel to the islands of Hawaii for rejuvenation. There is much creative force present around volcanos. If you are in need of tapping into your Creative Self. If you are looking to give birth to new possibilities but feel stuck, the vibe of a volcano may be the perfect medicine.