Insights about the Human Experience Gained from Antelope Canyon, Arizona

I am curious by nature and an explorer at heart. As an educator, I spend my semesters giving my energy, insights, experiences, and support to my 90+ students.

I understand that in order to keep giving to my students at a healthy and high level, I must also give at this same level to myself. As author Shakti Gawain beautifully articulates,

"...you can't continue to give unless you are equally open to receiving... and that 'giving' also means giving to yourself..." (p. 73)1

So, I invested a solid portion of my January 2024 break on a personal retreat. I witnessed natural wonders of Arizona -- far from the noise, human-made distractions, hustle culture, demands, and screens of NYC.

My time in Arizona was centering.

In the desert, I could hear my own heartbeat -- those of us who live in NYC understand how this can be a challenge in the noisy (yet fabulous) city. There is a constant cacophony of sounds, lights, chatter, and messages barraging us -- telling us what we should be thinking, feeling, doing. Telling us who we should be. In a place like NYC, it takes work to block out the noise and really hear one's own internal voice. But in the desert, it was different.

In the stillness of the desert, I could more easily hear my spirit talking with me. What I heard was an answer to the question that kept surfacing again and again for me in 2023 -- "what's next?"

What I heard is -- Slow down. Rest. Be more present in the physical + natural world and give less time to the digital and virtual world.

Rest will be my theme for 2024.

The time I am present digitally will now be minimal but intentional -- to educate, empower, and inspire us to increase our conscious communication so that we can better connect with ourselves and others in confident, meaningful, and heartful ways. And this will most often be through what I learn and experience during my travels.

Why does travel matter?

Remember that travel matters because it can change us. “And if we can change, we can grow.” (p. 130)2

So, I will be intentional with my Conscious Communication newsletters and share insights I gain from my travels as I find them meaningful. I may not post monthly as I have been doing with this newsletter for the past few years -- Because sometimes saying less is more meaningful (and restful).

Listening to lessons from the earth + life.

After decades of studying and teaching in a formal classroom, I am becoming more convinced that being outside in the physical world is our most valuable learning location. In Higher Ed. we call this study abroad, or experiential learning, or field work. It's all referring to applied learning -- being in a real-world location and learning while experiencing directly.

For me, travel is my greatest teacher.

I become aware of insights and connections faster when I'm on location. For instance, I got to thinking about something that my Navajo guide told us as she led our group through the stunning natural wonder called Antelope Canyon.

She explained how this ancient slot canyon has been carved by the water eroding the sandstone over MILLIONS of years. And that each layer of the walls that you see in the photos equates to about 100 years!

Lots and lots of layers = Eons of years. It's mind-boggling.

Here are the connections that I started to make between what I was seeing with Antelope Canyon and my own human experience.

By learning about the earth, I am learning about myself. This should be evident (though I think many of us lose sight of this) since we are formed from the earth itself. From the earth we came and to the earth we will return -- dust to dust.

My connections between the canyon and the human experiences:

• The Canyon is made of earth (obviously).
• Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon. From above, it appears to be a narrow crack in the earth's surface and doesn't reveal the depth or brilliance of the full canyon.
• The Canyon's history is chronicled in preserved colorful layers of orange and gold sandstone.
• We can now experience these layers of the canyon's history because of erosion splitting open the earth in this slot.
• We're made of earth as humans (obviously).
• Our personal histories are also layered in life phases (we may call these phases infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle-age, senior years, or some other way of recording the various chapters of our lives).
• Could it be that the life events that are most challenging for us act as a type of personal erosion? And the abrasive times which we may work so hard to avoid or be so fearful of could offer us the gift of looking inside at the layers of our own lived histories which are usually hidden from our view? That the moments when life emotionally splits us open offer the chance to see inside ourselves, to do the deep internal work of examining layer-by-layer how we've grown through the phases of our lives?
• Like a slot canyon, could the narrow cracks in our own surfaces be the gateway that reveals our own depth and brilliance?
• The beauty of Antelope Canyon has been revealed by erosion. Without this grinding process, there would be no canyon for us to enjoy.
• Perhaps our own personal internal beauty is also revealed to us by the emotionally eroding events we experience during our own lives.

What lessons and insights have you learned through your travels?

Is travel a great teacher for you, too? Share with us in the comments the lessons and insights you have learned through your travels.

Learn more about Antelope Canyon.

"Antelope Canyon, also known as 'The place where water runs through rocks,' is a breathtaking natural wonder located in Arizona. This magnificent slot canyon has captivated visitors from around the world with its stunning beauty and unique geological formations."3

"Antelope Canyon was formed over the course of hundreds of years through a combination of erosion and the powerful forces of nature. The erosion of Navajo Sandstone due to flash flooding and other sub-aerial processes played a significant role in shaping this remarkable canyon. Rainwater, particularly during the monsoon season, further sculpted and molded the canyon’s narrow passageways and smooth, flowing walls."3

"Antelope Canyon holds immense cultural significance for the Navajo people, who have protected and preserved this sacred site for generations. It is essential to respect the Navajo Nation’s rules and regulations when visiting the canyon and to follow the guidance of local guides who share their knowledge and insights about the area."3

"In recent years, measures have been taken to ensure the preservation of the delicate environment within Antelope Canyon. Limited access and guided tours are now the norm, allowing visitors to experience the canyon’s beauty while minimizing the impact on its fragile ecosystem."3

About this newsletter:

Conscious Communication is a tool that connects us to ourselves and to others in meaningful ways. As with any tool, the more skillful we are at using it, the better the results we achieve. Communication is an important tool because when we do it well it leads to better relationships.

As an award-winning educator, speaker, and study abroad program leader, my goal with this newsletter is to educate, empower, and inspire us (most often through travel) to increase our conscious communication skills so that we can better connect with ourselves and others in confident, meaningful, and heartful ways.

Sources:

1. Gawain, Shakti. (2002). Creative Visualization Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life. New World Library.
2. Storti, Craig. (2018). Why Travel Matters A Guide to the Life-Changing Effects of Travel. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
3. Website: "Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours."