(Photo of Isis and me)

Last weekend I participated in the Sedona Temple’s Daka/Dakini Conference for sexual healers.

When they announced the conference several months ago, I was at a similar conference organized by Sedona Temple in Chicago, and I knew that I would want to see my far-flung friends from around the United States again. Other than to connect with people I love and be around an energy that I intensely enjoy, I didn’t have a specific reason to go. But I registered – it’s a great deal at just $250 for a weekend conference packed with spiritual growth lessons and opportunities.

Traveling in only a few hours from the damp coolness of Portland (which I love) to the warm dryness of Sedona’s high desert was a treat, what with all the gorgeous red rocks, stunning mountains with their stratified hoodoos and stately saguaro cacti. As dry as the climate was, my fellow conference participants were juicy.

The three-day affair was highlighted by several presentations on such diverse topics as the Wounded Feminine, Web 2.0 marketing, male and female sacred spot massage, integrating the shadow, floral acupuncture, the 64 Temple Arts and female ejaculation. There were terrific performances as well by Freddy Zental Weaver (a master percussionist and storyteller) and the Tantric Circus. At night there were various parties including a Cuddle Party and a play party with over 100 people in attendance.

I will share a few personal highlights, including the hidden reason I was called to this conference.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you might recall that my mission to Peru last year didn’t go so well. I had felt taken advantage of by my indigenous hosts, the ayahuasca was a mixed bag and I got very sick with a four-way infection before leaving the jungle for Cuzco with my tail between my legs. I truly felt chewed up and spit out for all my good intentions of starting a fish farm in the jungle and learning about plant medicine. I felt betrayed by the Great Mother herself. Knowing that She is bigger than Me, I just grinned and bore like a man, but was left feeling suspicious and cynical of my own metaphysical awakening. I was embittered and angry.

I came to Sedona with that baggage as well as a lot of pain in my neck which has been bugging me since I visited LA with Delinda a month ago. I was excited that my friend Mead Rose ( vitality.meadrose.com/ ), a masterful bodyworker/healer, was there, and I asked him to work on my neck. The price we agreed upon was breakfast.

I was also pondering my Peruvian soul wound and wondering whom I could see to heal that. One healer I was drawn to was Patrick Russell (kikaido.com) whom I had met in Chicago. When he showed up at the breakfast joint with Mead and I, it was kismet as the kids say.

Patrick, in his no-bullshit, seasoned-by-life approach, put me straight in a few words about my Peruvian adventure. What he said I’ll keep to myself, but I also benefited from Mead’s input on the subject.

When we got back to the Temple, Mead worked on me. He worked hard and left red bruises around my neck. He went three levels of muscles deep into my neck. (My neck is still stiff, but that’s OK.) Mead said, “There’s something going on in your gut that’s connected to your neck.” So into my gut he delved with his “Thing” hands (think Fantastic Four) and I swear he went at least as deep as my psoas. I was howling and wailing all the while (Mead’s a Rolfer among other things) and I braced myself, then let myself relax when Mead put his hands under my jaw and in back of my head. Then he told me to make an “mmmmm” sound. He thrust up, and “POP” went my vertebrae, probably my Atlas joint, and immediately I began to hyperventilate for a minute or two. As the hyperventilating subsided I began to cry, to weep, to sob… for what must have been 20 minutes or so. Mead sat with me while I discharged what he suspected was a spirit.

My anger, suspicion, cynicism and bitterness were gone. That is why I went to Sedona.

I also got to spend some time with my beloved Isis, whom I met last year in Chicago. She and I have a noble, gorgeous connection that I believe will be revealed over years rather than weeks or months. I am simply smitten with her from my core. For more on Isis, go to sensualshaman.com.

I guess the last big component came from the awesome and sexy Tantric Circus (tantriccircus.com). At one point it got pretty much too sexy for me and I started to contract inside, thinking it was over-the-top and overblown as three hunky guys (maybe a little envy?) were worshiping Triambika (journeyintobliss.com). (Yes, definitely jealousy!) Noticing the smallness of my thinking, I realized that if there is really no separation between all of us I believe in the world of non-dualism. So I chose to enter into the experience of the three men on stage, as I became them and worshiped Triambika through them. Exquisite! Then I figured why stop there? I entered into Triambika’s experience and felt their adoration of me. I felt a glowing surge in my core! Jealousy? POOF!

Then there is my beloved Isis. We went on a walk; I gave her a cherished gift from Peru. It was pure magic. Sigh… Zee love!

Super brief mention will be made of the private bath ceremony, my terrific roommate Magy, the wild javelina wandering the streets of Sedona, late nights, hot steam rooms and making new friends with a favorite author (Francesca Gentille and her partner Ty Gesyuk) as I drove back with another new friend (Michelle) to Phoenix.

I know now, beyond any doubt, that energy healing is real, and that emotional trauma takes up physical space in the body. I am so glad to be on this glorious path of Sacred Sexuality.

Hey, if you live in Portland, come out and see me perform at a house concert Friday night. Email me for directions… Love to you…

Al