A visitors perspective

Arriving by train to a place I had never been, Gallup NM., I was met by a tall very warm and caring steward, Mika. After a brief tour of the "city" we head out to the Zuni Mt. Sanctuary. For an hour we drove through a cactus barren desert, and surreal out cropping of ancient rocks following the horizon. I am transported back a hundred years as Mika tells me that this sparse landscape was a Ponderosa pine forest, that horses could maneuver freely in. Just as I was riding off into the sunset, we turn onto a dusty sandy road. Once again the surreal land takes on a magical Carlos, Don Juan characteristic.

There is something ahead that demands my attention. I am diligently watching as an ancient figure looms ahead as the car approaches. Then I see her majesty. She stands

hundreds of feet over my head, "The Queen of the Valley" " The Goddess " .

I am transfixed. I hear her request: "Lay your burden down, leave them behind, for you are entering a sacred space." Her words are clear, her meaning understood. My mind clears as the "baggage" blows out the car window and I visualize it scattering to the four directions with the sands blowing to the corners of the Earth, binding with new soil for the future seeds. It was obvious I was entering into a place of Spirit.

When we arrived I was welcomed with embraces from the other Stewards of ZMS: Maque, Eden, Derek, Balance, and Raif. only a few, rare moments in my life have I stood in the presence of people that the idea of Spirit is first and foremost in their minds. These beautiful brothers who steward this sacred land "Walk their Talk." Time and again I am made aware of this astonishing reality. Working beside fairies who impart their magic to the land, to the gardens, to their creative endeavors, to each other and to the visitors on this land, I thank the Great Spirit that my path has crossed through here.

an ancient part of my being soars with the dependable winds, as I see the warrior priests of the Goddess, and Pan roam this land. I notice that each steward is daily using some tradition, practice or self awareness to amplify their higher selves, bringing that consciousness to everyday living situations. There is communication, love and action that unites those who live here. there is purpose, integrity , openness and willingness for each other. These qualities are shared with those who arrive seeking sanctuary or who come to play.

Change becomes inevitable. The wind cradles me as I rock gently and sometime quite shaken into the new day. I am alive and free, full of hope, and love for this planet, and all my relations. My feet touch the Mother and Her energy rise in my body, healing , balancing and strengthening me. The Grandfather showers me with the creative life force through the Sun which rise and sets with a majesty that cannot, here, be transformed into words.

As I work beside the Steward of ZMS I am thanked several times a day for the smallest task. There is a sincere sense of gratitude when visitors jump in and share in the bulging work load. Embraces come from all directions during both sad and joyful moments.

I am forever transformed and grateful and know that " all who enter here will be forever touched."

Sean