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When I came across this image it brought back many memories for me as I miss the beauty of Tibet China. The landscapes of Tibet are simply startling and out of this world!!

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When I look at this picture it reminds me of just how cold it was in the mountains at times. The fresh air felt good in my lungs and it never tasted of pollution. I remember well my snowshoeing adventures inside the mountain passes here. The exercise kept me very health and strong.

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The view of the valley below was taken from the Reting Monastery; it sits up in the mountains at 13,500 feet above sea level. The valley below is extremely beautiful and if you look really carefully, you can see the winding river that is also supplied by the melt off of snow.

The image below is yet another breathe taking look at one of the many villages that lay scattered throughout the mountains of Tibet China. Heavy snowfall in some areas is very normal.

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This photo that was shot of Lake Yamdrok Tso is really awesome. Notice how in the background the mountains almost kiss the shy. The clouds add a startling quality of beauty to this already amazing image of Tibet's extremely beautiful scenery.

This is a very beautiful look at the inside of a Monastery; its very warm and pleasing to the eyes. An almost instant feeling of inner peace transcends upon on you as you kneel in the center of this room.

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It's a great place to rekindle your inner child and to find the oneness in the self.

Speaking of children, they're truly wonders of Tibet! They are very interested by those that come from the outside world. Once they get to know you, they also become curious and like to ask a lot of questions. Which is cool; because although you may be teaching them, they're also teaching you too?

 

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This Snow Leopard in the photo below is considered to be very rare wonder of Tibet China. It's an awesome animal and one of many very rare animals that can be found in Tibet China.

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This is my final image of a place that I have come to love and respect and is very awe inspiring. The picture speaks for its self. I'll let you be the judge though.

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Thank you for allowing me to share some of the wonders of Tibet China with you the reader. I hope that it has brought you some form of hidden joy.

Photo by the Quail

Sedona is also one of the great Metaphysical hot spots of Arizona. Its energy vortexes have been talked about for many years and its history goes way back to early Native American. The Yavapai-Apache are believed to be the earliest settlers of this area. Many a story has been told by the ancestors of the earliest settlers surrounding the great flood that covered Mother Earth.

The Yavapai Native American people have told the story of the Lady of the Pearl and it is said that they are the descendants of her daughter.

I have found through my researching of the Sedona area that the earliest accounts by the Yavapai concerning their take on the Creation story to be very accurate. They tell of how the Lady of the Pearl was sealed in a great log with a woodpecker along with a great white stone that is believed to have been a pearl. The Lady of the Pearl was sent from another of Arizona's great land marks, Montezuma's Well, at the very beginning of the great flood. She remained sealed in the log for forty days and forty nights. The waters from the rains covered all the land masses and when the water receded, the log came to rest in Sedona. The woodpecker freed the lady from the log and she took with her the Great stone of protection. The woodpecker guided her to the highest peak of Mingus Mountain. She met the sun; they fell in love. She returned to Sedona and bathed in the enchanted waters of Boynton Canyon. Shortly afterwards she gave birth to a daughter, that the Yavapai referred to as the First Lady and mother to its entire people.

Photo by the Quail

Another great point of interest is the many Metaphysical stores that are in the town of Sedona. They carry books, and many different types of semi precious gem stones and it's also the home of many that walk the path of healing. Yes, Sedona is a very enchanted place and it has much to offer anyone that takes the time to visit her.

Sedona is also the home of a well known author, Angel Lightfeather. She is a Spiritual Counselor to many. Her husband is also an Elvis impersonator singer, actor and entertainer. They have one of the many metaphysical, Spiritual shops that are present and thriving well. The thing that caught my attention first and foremost concerning their shop, is the hand painted mural on the stone wall that faces the road. It's a must-stop-by-and-see, if your traveling through Sedona. You can't miss it. Its one of the very first things that catches the eye of the passer-by.

Photo by the Quail

To take a picture does not do it justice, and one would be totally in awe of it, if they were to stop by and view it, for it has taken on a living energy of its own.

There is much to write about and showcase in Sedona. It's fast becoming the vacation hot spot, nestled in the red rock and mountains, with an elevation of 4,326 ft. above sea level. So what you waiting for? Come visit "Beautiful Sedona, Arizona".

It has been said, “a monastery is a sacred space for sacred time….and people are attracted to seek retreats when they need renewal and quiet time to reflect.”

Many monasteries do accommodate men, women, children and single people. They usually provide delicious, simple and inexpensive meals form food grown on the grounds. The lodging costs vary from freewill donations to $21.50 a night to $95.00 a night, which include all meals. There are special rates for weekend stays and for educational seminar week-long retreats.

Pecos Benedictine Monastery

This Benedictine Monastery is located in the Pecos River valley, north of Santa Fe near the town of Pecos. The monastery is situated on 900 acres which are surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; hiking trails; animal havens; clean air; lots of sunshine. They offer personal “hermitages” for a few days or longer, plus educational and inspirational retreat programs though out the year. The individual “hermitage rooms” are located in one building and are self contained spaces with a sitting area and desk, along with kitchenette, bed, bathroom and a large panoramic window that looks over the canyon. The suggested donation is $75 per night.

The Abbey of Gethsemani

This is a Trappist monastery located in Kentucky near Bardstown, in Trappist. The monastery is famous for once being the “home” of Thomas Merton, who is considered one of the spiritual writers and leaders of the 20th century. This a place of hospitality for people who are seeking “a place apart” from the regular, busy, noisy clatter and chatter “to entertain silence in the heart and listen for the voice of God…….to pray for your own discovery” (Thomas Merton). Founded in 1848, this has always been a place full of visitors from around the world. Reservations are required and accommodations are simple, but spacious. There are single rooms and double bed rooms each with their own bathroom. The guest wing is handicap accessible; air-conditioned; non-smoking; elevator ready to all four floor; communal dining and has an on-site library that is open to all. Meatless meals are served daily and religious services are open to all visitors. This is a popular get-a-way retreat and reservations are taken up to 4 months before the date your wish to visit. The cost is a free-will donation based upon what you can afford. Men and women are both welcome here.

Zen Mountain Monastery

You will find this sanctuary on 200 secluded and rustic acres in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The monastery is surrounded by the New York State Forest Preserve, which provide miles of hiking trails and beautiful untouched nature settings. The main building, a 4 level earthy stone abode was built in the early 20th century, houses the meditation center, dining hall, library, classrooms and dormitory style guest quarters with communal bathrooms. Educational Retreats are held from May through October, along with month long residency programs and I year residency programs. All meals are vegetarian and included in the cost of a retreat session. You must contact them for actual set costs for various retreat programs. The 1 month retreat residency program cost around $650 for the month.

Holy Trinity Monastery

This Benedictine monastery was once the Wilderness Ranch for Boys back in the 1960's. It is located approximately 14 miles north of Tombstone and 17 miles from Cochise in the heart of what once was the Apache Native American stronghold. This is a “semi-contemplative monastery” that offers guest facilities for individual or group retreats, which are expected to respect the monastic exercise of “silence, solitude, simple living, prayer and communal meals.” Holy Trinity Monastery is known for its “Taize'” for peace on Fridays and its involvement with Cultural Arts, The San Pedro Valley Center for the Arts is located at the monastery. The guest quarters offer 11 rooms that can accommodate single people or couples. There is a reading room, prayer place, communal lounge area, gazebos and other spaces for educational sessions. This monastery also offers RV spaces for rent. Individuals pay $40 per night and double occupancy is $60 per night with all meals being extra. The RV park rental is $15 per night.

New Camaldoli Hermitage

Located 1,300 feet above sea level in a very secluded area of the Santa Lucia Mountains, near the infamous Big Sur , this monastery offers breathe taking views of the California coastline and Pacific ocean. Founded in 1958, by 3 Benedictine monks from Camaldoli, Italy, the monks live here “as a community of hermits” and have private cells in a private enclosed enclave. They are well known for their brandy dipped fruitcakes and date-nut cakes which are shipped world-wide. They follow the words of their founder St. Romuald” “Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish”. You can either take a solo retreat or group retreat to this remote monastery all year long. The retreat center has 9 private rooms with baths and private gardens that over-look the ocean. Also offered is a communal kitchen where vegetarian meals and homemade bread may be picked up. The monastery offers 5 trailer retreats located on the hillside below the main center, which are very private and include: full bath, refrigerator, small cook top, food items and sun decks. You need to reserve your rooms at least 6 months in advance and trailers 1 year in advance, as this is an extremely popular monastery for retreats. The suggested private cell retreat is $70 donation per night and the trailer donation is $80 per night.

If, you are looking for the unusual vacation or need an inspirational get-a-way here are 5 places you may want to look into and there are 100's more available across America.

Glastonbury is home to the famous Glastonbury Abbey, now an ancient ruin, having been systematically demolished over time during the Disollution, from the year 1539, when the Abbey was seized under the orders of King Henry the VIII.

Had the Abbey still stood today, at a length of 181 meters, it would have been one of the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe and the British Isles. After the seizure and the execution of Abbot Whiting for treason against the King, the Abbey was used as the local quarry, which explains why there is so little remaining today.

Entry is via the gateway on Magdalene Street, and is very close to the village center. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the entrance, allowing for buses and motor homes.

There is a museum on site, full of wondrous information, photos, sketches and relics from the site, as well as a shop with many gifts for you to choose from.

As a Charity, the entry fee and profit from all goods sold helps upkeep the Abbey and its surrounding grounds. This is the Charity's only form of income.

Of immense interest are the supposed burial sites of whom we have come to know as King Arthur and his Queen, Guinevere. The original site is said to have been discovered by monks in 1191, and the royals' remains were reburied in another site on the Abbey grounds in 1278, with King Edward the 1st and Queen Elanor in attendance.

The tomb was lost after the Dissolution but rediscovered as recently as 1934.

Both the original and subsequent burial sites are marked with plaques.

It's quite something to walk in the footsteps of legend.

Also inside the grounds enclosure is a Holy Thorn, an ancient Hawthorn tree that grows behind St Patrick's Chapel, near the entrance. It is said that a Holy Thorn sprang from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. While traveling England, he paused to rest at Wearyall Hill, driving his staff into the ground, where it miraculously took root. Stranger still, the tree bloomed at Christmas time. It is said that seedlings from this original tree have appeared about the countryside of Glastonbury - and that the Holy Thorn within the Abbey grounds is one of these.

I was fortunate to have a beautiful late summer's day for my voyage through time. Along with friends, we took many photos as we wandered about the ruins, and we ate a picnic lunch while overlooking the length of the Abbey, from the rear of the site. There are wooden bench seats dotted about the grounds, and mature - nay, ancient trees with which to shelter from the sun while admiring the views.

It really is a beautifully peaceful place to visit.

If you've heard of Glastonbury, then you must surely have heard of the Tor - the strangely shaped high hilltop that overlooks the entire village, and can be seen for miles around in all directions. On it's back sits the Tor Tower - what remains of a smaller church that once stood there.

It is a powerful sight in any weather, and has been the subject of millions of photos, paintings and sketches for hundreds of years. It draws people like moths to a flame - it has such an aura about it. Its irresistible pull is un-mistakenly spiritual, yet not necessarily religious in any way, but powerful nonetheless. I have seen strangers sitting on the hilltop with tears of joy in their eyes, while others breath in the deep peace that seems to permeate the site.

There are 7 tracks carved into the hillside - these are part of the Tor Maze or Labyrinth, and many a soul has made a pilgrimage by following these tracks as they wind their way around the Tor, gradually bringing the pilgrim to the tower at the top.

If visiting Glastonbury, a climb to the top of the Tor is a must if weather allows, however, for those not keen or fit enough, there is an easier walk from the carpark off Wellhouse Lane.

There are several other attractions; the Chalice Well, which supplied the majority of fresh water to the village until the 1920's, and is said to have "restorative powers", has drawn thousands to flock to the spring waters for its supposed healing properties.

Over the centuries there have been many documented cases of "medical miracles", however there is yet to be a scientifically proven report as to the water's powers of healing. The very powerful belief in the healing properties could be the major factor in these miraculous healings. We all know how unfailing faith can be a powerful thing.

Lastly but not least, Glastonbury Village itself is a quaint and inviting place to wander about. Moving from one end of the main street to the other in as little as ten minutes, it is filled with interesting shops catering to the tourist trade and spiritually minded. There are several shops selling crystals and rocks, hand made jewelery and trinkets, cards and books on all manner of things. Some outlets also cater for the new age Wicca - for believers of the old pagan rituals and ways of life. There are spell books and crystal wands, rune stones and ritual costumes to be found, as well as meditation books, music and trivia.

There are several second hand bookshops, where the well-read traveler can spend hours perusing the shelves for hidden treasure of the literary kind, and still more clothing and nic-nac shops to appease any taste. Everywhere you look there is some form of artwork in various stages of creation, and still more to be found for sale. The whole Village is alive with colour and music, tasty treats and warm mid-summer scents. Admiring the local cottage gardens, the old stone buildings and walls, and the bountiful hanging flower baskets - you cannot fail to admit that Glastonbury is a beautiful place. You can almost believe that elves and fairies are hiding and giggling at us as we pass them by.

After a hot afternoon's hike up to the Tor, along with my friends, we stopped into one of the many sidewalk pubs - and straight through to the garden bar situated out back, for an iced tea and scones - complete with large dollops of jam and cream. We felt spoilt after our exercise, but it was a welcome fill-up for our empty tummies.

That hill really is quite a climb! But if you ever find yourself passing through, make the effort to experience the sights and sounds, tastes and scents of this lovely Somerset Village.