WALKING IN BEAUTY

A Journey Where Wisdom Comes from Listening, Not Speaking

The Indigenous Peoples of North America the native peoples of North America developed into numerous autonomous nations, each with its own culture, language, and spirituality. Their societies, grounded in a deep connection with nature and a strong sense of community, reflected an animistic worldview where every element was imbued with spirit. Despite the scars of European colonization, many Indigenous nations continue to fight to preserve their traditions and languages. Some communities, living in relative isolation, keep ancient customs alive. The thought of exploring the sacred and historical places of North America’s Indigenous peoples fascinates you. You picture yourself walking in the footsteps of ancient warriors, hearing stories whispered by the wind among the ruins of ancestral villages, and feeling the energy of places steeped in history and resilience. “It would be an extraordinary experience,” you think while listening to Coyote Dance by Robbie Robertson. You mark Mesa Verde on the map of Arizona: “Carved into the rock, I will find the ancient dwellings of the Anasazi. In Monument Valley, whose monoliths are sacred to the Navajo, I will experience the atmospheres of famous Western films. I might follow the traces of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse on the battlefields of Little Bighorn. Each place, each stone, and path would offer me a story to hear, an emotion to treasure.”

Before closing your suitcase, you consider taking a book of poems dedicated to the Native Americans of North America. You linger on its first page Dahcotah: Life and Legends of the Sioux and cannot help but recall the most beautiful poem you believe it holds: “In beauty may I walk. All day long may I walk. Through the returning seasons may I walk. On the pollen path may I walk. With dew and grasshoppers underfoot may I walk. With beauty before me, behind me, above and all around me, may I walk. In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk. Perfect in beauty.” The words resonate like a hymn to nature and inner harmony. You hope these verses, steeped in peace and contemplation, will accompany you on your journey. Each line feels like a caress, an invitation to immerse yourself in serenity. You resolve to let yourself be transported to a world where beauty resides in the dance of the seasons, in the pollen-strewn path, and in the dew shimmering on the grass. And you wish to carry this sense of beauty back with you, even when you return home. “May the memory of those verses serve as a compass, guiding me toward the perfection of beauty, wherever I go.”

The Cultural Mosaic of North America the cultural mosaic of North America is a tapestry of stories, traditions, and spirituality. The Iroquois, masters of diplomacy and pioneers of confederation, embody the value of dialogue. The Cherokee, with ingenuity and resilience, have left an indelible mark. The Sioux, proud warriors and guardians of a profound connection with nature, teach respect for the Earth and all living beings. The Apache, indomitable spirits, inspire strength and courage, while the Inuit, with their remarkable adaptability, demonstrate harmony with even the most extreme environments. But it is the Southwest of the United States that calls to you, with its breathtaking landscapes. “Navajo…” you whisper, “I want to immerse myself in your culture, admire the vibrant colors of your woven patterns, and understand how your language played a crucial role during World War II.” As you pack your backpack, a Navajo poem resonates in your mind, a song of solitude and spiritual seeking: “Forever alone, forever sorrowful I walk, forever empty, forever hungry I walk. With a pain of great beauty, I walk. Now with a God I walk, Now I take steps among the peaks.” Every verse feels like a step into the unknown, an invocation of the beauty hidden within pain, of the strength born from solitude. You picture yourself composing poetry, inspired by the colors of the desert, the whisper of wind through the canyons, and the millennia-old wisdom of the Navajo people. The journey awaits you, an adventure that will enrich your soul and leave an indelible imprint on your heart.

Your soul seeks places that are not just a delight for the eyes but nourishment for the spirit. You yearn to breathe in the sacredness of landscapes that carry the stories of ancient peoples. “The land of the Navajo is an open book on spirituality, culture, and untamed beauty. I want to carve my own path and choose places that resonate with energy.” The first stop might be Antelope Canyon, a labyrinth of rock sculpted by wind and water, where light creates divine plays of shadows and colors. “I cannot miss this natural spectacle!” You cherish the idea of immersing yourself in the sacredness of Monument Valley, which watches over the border between Arizona and Utah, seemingly halting time itself. Canyon de Chelly, in Arizona, awaits you with vertical walls that protect ancient dwellings and memories of Navajo history. At Hubbell Trading Post, one of the oldest trading posts still in operation, you can delve into local craftsmanship. Finally, the heart of the Navajo Nation – a vast reservation spanning Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico – completes your journey. “Here, among the Petrified Forest and cultural centers, I can enrich my understanding of Navajo traditions and bring home a treasure of experiences and emotions.”

Flying Over Arizona: A Journey of the Senses Flying over Arizona is an experience that engages all your senses, an immersion into a shifting landscape that offers an unforgettable spectacle of colors and sensations. You are captivated by the desert scenery, where the deep red of the earth and rocks dominates the view. Kai, the Navajo sitting next to you, explains the meaning of his name. “I am Willow, a name that reflects our bond with nature. We Navajo choose names that evoke natural elements or spiritual qualities.” The guide explains how the colors change with the hours of the day: “At dawn and sunset, they take on warm hues, while at midday they become more vivid.” The deep blue of the sky contrasts sharply with the warm tones of the desert. Despite the arid climate, you notice the green of cacti and shrubs, plants adapted to these extreme conditions. You admire the Grand Canyon, whose stratifications display a spectrum of colors that shift with the light, from red to orange, yellow to purple. The vastness of the horizons fills you with a sense of freedom. As the plane prepares to land, Kai softly recites a chant: “With a heart full of life and love, I will walk. Happily, I will call upon clouds, rain, and pollen, Moving in beauty and harmony. May beauty be everywhere on my path. In beauty, all is complete.” His words feel like the prelude to a deeply evocative journey.

Visiting Antelope Canyon is a unique and unforgettable experience. Your visit begins at 10 a.m., just as the sun’s rays filter into the canyon, reaching their peak brilliance by noon. You are not disappointed, on the contrary, you’re so exhilarated that you open your book of Navajo poems, select a passage, and dedicate it to Kai, your guide: “Sit at the edge of the dawn, and the sun will rise for you. Sit at the edge of silence, and God will speak to you.” As you explore the canyon, you admire the sandstone formations shaped by wind and water. The play of light, streaming through the narrow walls, creates an atmosphere that awakens your passion for photography. Aware of the sacredness of this place for the Navajo, you feel a sense of tranquility as your guide shares stories and traditions. Kai explains that the canyon has two main sections. Upper Antelope Canyon, famous for its beams of light and ease of access, and Lower Antelope Canyon, narrower and more adventurous to navigate. With your smartphone, you capture the intense colors and the interplay of light and shadow, always mindful of respecting the sacredness of the place and staying on designated paths. “Antelope Canyon is not just a place to see,” you reflect, “but one to experience with all your senses and an open heart.”

Visiting Monument Valley is an experience filled with intense and contrasting emotions. The imposing monoliths, vivid colors, and vastness of the landscape leave you breathless. The majesty of nature makes you feel small, yet part of something grand. The open spaces and untamed atmosphere evoke a profound sense of freedom. “Monument Valley is an icon of the Wild West,” exclaims your Navajo guide, pointing to the horizon, which conjures not only classic Westerns but also a nostalgia for a bygone era. The guide explains that for the Navajo, this place is sacred—a place of prayers offered to nature—mountains, rivers, sun, moon, and animals, all considered living and sacred beings. As you walk, you feel a spiritual energy and a deep connection to the earth. The silence of the desert, broken only by the wind, grants you peace and contemplation. You take photographs of unique vistas, confident they will preserve vivid emotions long after the visit. You thank the guide, aware that you’ve experienced something that touches the soul. Before parting, you wish to share your feelings with Kai and read him another poem: “I asked for strength, and He gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom, and He gave me problems to solve. I asked for love, and He entrusted me with people to help. I received nothing I wanted, but everything I needed. My prayer was answered.”

“Canyon de Chelly enriches the soul and invites reflection on the beauty and fragility of the planet, leaving an indelible mark on the heart,” you confide to Kai. The face of the Navajo native is a portrait of strength, dignity, and a deep connection to his land. You take note: his skin, weathered by sun and wind; his dark, wise eyes; high cheekbones; straight nose; full lips; and sleek, jet-black hair. Deep wrinkles tell the story of his ancestral bond with nature. “Your face is a masterpiece of natural art.” Kai remains unfazed. “It seems sculpted by time and the earth,” you confess. In the heart of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, with its sheer rock walls, monoliths carved by the ages, and warm desert colors, the canyon seems to enchant both you and your guide. Finally, Kai narrows his eyes, peering intently at something in the distance just behind you. “Ancient ruins embedded in the walls, yet, trust me, they emit a unique spiritual energy. Look that,” he points, “you will not forget the Spider Rock majestic monolith.”

For Kai, looking into the eyes of someone who is suffering conveys closeness and understanding. You don’t know that he knows, yet he helps you with a Navajo prayer: “I am a prayer walking. With a hollow hunger inside me, I walk; no food can fill it. With a hollow space inside me, I walk; nothing can complete it. With sadness, I walk; no one can ease it. Forever alone, forever hungry, I walk. With a pain and an emptiness of great beauty, I walk. Now, with a God, I walk among peaks, beyond hills, with giant strides. I am a prayer walking. Never alone, never crying, never empty. On the path of ancient ages and beauty, I walk.” In Ganado, Arizona, you seek a place that offers a unique experience. Kai guides you to the Hubbell Trading Post. “This immersion in Navajo culture, the history of the American Southwest, and the beauty of the landscape offers an unforgettable experience,” Kai tells you. You wander among shelves brimming with blankets, silver jewelry, and ceramics. The scent of wood and spices fills the air, making it feel like a journey through time. You watch Navajo artisans at work, listen to their stories, and purchase two of their creations. You learn about John Lorenzo Hubbell, a key figure in the region. “You can also visit his home,” your guide adds, as the vibrant colors of the blankets and the allure of the surrounding nature complete an experience that engages all your senses.

Visiting Petrified Forest National Park, the final stop on your journey, adds the wonder of fossilized logs, unique and extraordinary windows into the Earth’s ancient past. The pride etched into Kai’s face reflects a culture that honors its roots while looking to the future, never forgetting the past. “A traditional meal at a Navajo home can offer you an authentic experience deeply tied to the traditions and culture of my community,” he says. You accept the invitation and visit your Navajo guide’s home. The meal begins with a brief prayer from Kai. Navajo tacos, corn, and frybread—a crispy, golden fried bread with a soft interior, served with meat, beans, or honey—become cherished memories of your journey. “Prayers are the heart of our spirituality. They are not just words but rituals to restore beauty, harmony, and well-being,” Kai explains. As your guide prepares to step out of your life, he sings a Navajo chant: “Do not weep at my grave, for I am not there. I am a thousand winds that blow, The sun that shines on ripened grain, The gentle autumn rain, The star that glimmers in the night. Do not weep at my grave: I am not there.” You discover that the park holds archaeological sites and petroglyphs from ancient native cultures, adding historical depth to your experience. When it’s time to leave, you shake Kai’s hand and sense something between your palms. “My gift to you, a small sky-blue turquoise stone,” says Willow, his name reflecting his bond with nature. “It wards off negative energy and brings good fortune. It represents purity, truth, and wisdom. Use it well on your path.”