The bus carrying the group of pilgrim travelers who came together for the Great American Southwest Expedition stopped at the roadside store in the New Mexico village of Abiquiu for a rest break. Abiquiu being the long time home of the renown American artist Georgia O’Keefe, who was inspired to her greatness by the magnificent and ancient vistas blended from colors seen only in this special high desert place. After boarding, the bus moved onto a dirt road leading into a little known area known as Plaza Blanca (the White Place), a place that is almost beyond description, a place where power resides.

The White Place

During our years living in Santa Fe, my partner Robin and I visited the White Place numerous times to find quiet, respite, renewal and deep perspectives we found no where else, not even in our many years in Hawaii. This place became our church, our temple. The Indians of the New Mexico pueblos and before them the ancient Anastazi used this splendid white canyon of rising pillars and truly amazing formations as a place to gather together in peace, a place to set aside all differences. This was their church. No signs have been found of people having ever lived there, no remnants of habitation, no pottery shards. It is said that they only used it for spiritual venturing, most possibly into multiple dimensions, and for ceremony.

Almost every time Robin and I visited The White Place we were completely alone, no people and not even animals. On one of our visits we sat slightly up on the rocks above a dry stream bed and tuned into the energy. It was so quiet that we could hear our hearts beat. Over the years I learned to play a native flute made by a friend of ours, so on this day with our eyes closed I began to play and the sounds began to flow into a sense of meditative power. After about 20 minutes there was a loud sound, something like a large exhaled breath, and when we opened our eyes we were surrounded by about twenty black ravens sitting on the rocks around us and circling above us directing our attention upwards, and there above, in a perfectly clear blue sky a golden circle formed a ring around the sun. On our walk out of the White Place that day we would see out of the corner of our eyes what appeared to be shimmering beings who would disappear into the rocks when we would try to look directly at them. As we moved out of the wash toward where we had parked the car we heard a wild calling sound coming from the top of a 40 foot white pillar. We looked up to see a solitary and very large black raven looking down at us as if bidding us farewell. We thanked it and the spirits of the White Place for an amazing and mystical afternoon.

It was during this day that we decided to bring others to this place of wonder and power, and thereafter we began our annual Great American Southwest Expeditions.

Anyway, the group unloaded from the bus on a gentle slope above the White Place, and in a quite procession we entered and moved through the natural spires to one of the few trees in the area. We formed a circle and then received a blessing from our native guides David Carson and his daughter Greta and then entered into a ceremony bringing us together as a tribe. After this powerful experience each pilgrim took time alone to contemplate in various places of their choosing in this magical arena.

After our silent procession out of the White Place, the group got back on the bus and moved on up the road to the next place of power. This of course was after we stopped for lunch at the Abiquiu Inn. I had tacos and a beer.

Great American Southwest Expedition 2007 www.greatmystery.org/events/sw07.html

The following email is from people once again joining this magical quest.

Hello Robin, I read where Abiquiu (The White Place) is a ‘church’ for you and Cody. I still remember the powerful experience of being there and knew it was my home (I’ve Never felt that homesick before) from lives before – and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt powerful waves of love flowing towards and into me from the rocks and hills there. Amazing experience for sure. Blessings, Margarete

Abiquiu

THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST EXPEDITION 2007
May 14 – May 23

Once again we embark upon an adventure into the great beauty of the Southwest United States, the land of the Native American tribes and pueblos and some of the last remaining wild lands. Filled with magnificent vistas and sacred places, this expedition offers many life enhancing experiences and opportunities to immerse in native teachings and find personal openings only available in these magical settings. Getting back to nature brings a wealth of insights to assist in living in the turbulent urban world in which so many of us daily dwell. The land is big and filled with wonder.

Your exceptional guides are David Carson, Greta Carson,MA, Bertram Tsavadawa, Alan Osborne, and Martin Gray. Please read their biographical information and you’ll see how outstanding they truly are... greatmystery.org/events/sw07guides.html

The adventure begins in Santa Fe, New Mexico and ends in Sedona, Arizona, with visits in the White Place, Bandelier, Chaco Canyon, Hopi Land, Canyon De Chelly, The Grand Canyon. The complete itinerary is available at... greatmystery.org/events/sw07schedule.html

You may email prophets@greatmystery.org with questions and to register. Save $500 and register by January 15!

Photo tour:
For a preview of the magnificent places you will experience on this journey, click on the link below and scroll to the bottom: greatmystery.org/events/sw07.html