Vortex Pilgrimage Thoughts

I think everyone at one time or another goes through the process of finding themselves.

On more than one occasion I have taken that journey. In fact, as evidenced by my weekly blog posts, I am still in the process of such a journey now – and since we change frequently, I will likely always be on this particular trek.

There are numerous works of non-fiction in what gets lumped as “self-help”. Some are extremely practical and organizational, while some are more spiritual and metaphysical. People turn to these works in order to better understand themselves, and to live happier healthier lives for the most part.

There are in addition to the non-fiction writings out there works of fiction that also inspire and expand on the journey to create a life that excites us. A prime example, and the inspiration for my own such work, is Paulo Coelho.

I was introduced to The Alchemist a number of years ago now. I have re-read it a couple times, and listened to it as read by Jeremy Irons more than once. Its story of a boy following his “personal legend” is very much in line with my own concept of Pathwalking, and partially inspired my work on this notion. It has been on the New York Times’ Best Seller’s list now for 361 weeks and counting.

While some of Mr. Coelho’s works have been autobiographical or semi-autobiographical, he writes a new book pretty much annually. I have read over a half dozen of them, probably more. His ability to blend reality and fiction intrigues me. So much so that I used the goal of National Novel Writer’s Month several years back to write a story in the same vein.

Vortex Pilgrimage began with multiple trips I have made hiking through the energy vortexes of Sedona and takes the incredible sensations I experienced therein and embellishes them. While I’ve experienced a deeper level of meditation in these places than anywhere else, the journey my alter ego takes in this story is far more expansive and detailed.

This has become a labor of love. Not my normal style or genre, I still felt such deep affection for this story that I edited and published it. It is my hope that others will appreciate the experience my character has, and maybe relate it to their own journeys of self discovery.

Vortex Pilgrimage will be formally available on Amazon as of next Tuesday, 7/21. I will share the links here on that date.

Thank you for your continued support!