Adventures in Sedona - Day 7

"By seeing a stupa or hearing about a stupa, remembering it, visualizing it - any kind of connection - will imbue you with a blessing, will connect you to enlightenment." - Tulka Sangngag Rinpoche, master stupa builder of the Amitabha Stupa

Sunday, Aug 4, 2024. Weight 152, AZ Temp 95° Today's activities and therapies included Infrared Heat Therapy and the BEMER. Today I decided to take my lunch to go and venture out to Amitabha Stupa. It was only a little over a mile away so I figured I'd just walk. It was a little over a mile away ... uphill. It was challenging and hot but I made it. And it was such a beautiful place.

What is a Stupa?

stu·​pa: a usually dome-shaped structure (such as a mound) serving as a Buddhist shrine

There's so many things out there to discover, right? And I've barely scratched the surface of what this Earth has to offer. You would need a 100 lifetimes maybe more. I'd never heard of a stupa before. It's considered sacred architect and promotes spiritual deepening (regardless of religion), healing, prosperity and peace. This particular stupa, Amitabha Stupa, is named after the Buddha of Limitless Light. It's said to be blessed with many millions of prayers for peace, sacred relics and ritual objects. There's a bronze statue of Amitabha here at the park as well.

When I got to my destination, I had another quarter mile hike up to the park on rocks and unpaved paths.I finally saw the stupa banners flying in the wind. I was so hot, if I were at home in Minnesota, I would have been hot and very sweaty. Here in AZ that dry air just sucks up my sweat. I was huffing it ("huffing and puffing") so I had to take a break. I sat in a chair in the shade and ate my lunch, then sat quietly and took everything in. Each time the wind blew I felt more calm. Tourists came and went but for the most part I was alone. I sat for a long time and I truly did feel peace there. I stayed almost an hour. Mainly to see everything I could, but also because I was so exhausted I needed to work myself up for the walk back! It was all downhill ... ;)

About 3/4 of the way up, I saw this on the corner of someone's property. It says "Take a Rest. Don't take me" How nice is that! I definitely took a rest - and ate part of my lunch. :)

Aren't you jealous of my lunch?

I'm looking a little exhausted!!

The rocky trail to Amitabha Stupa

Amitabha, Buddha of Limitless Light

Chacos! Highly recommend! They didn't let me down.