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by Cathy Murphy, The Bisbee Observer
Do we have a Guru in our midst? Maybe, for at least part of the year. John Milton, founder of the Golden Flower T'ai Chi and Meditation Center in Old Bisbee, spends about half of the year here, and the other six months in some of the most exotic and mystical places in the world. During his stay in Bisbee, Milton leads students in T'ai Chi on Thursday evenings at the Golden Flower, and conducts weekend retreats in the Chiricahuas. Milton also leads spiritual retreats over a dozen times a year in wilderness areas of Arizona, Colorado, Baja California and Asia.
In 1962 and 1963, Milton received first a B.S. and then his M.S. in Ecology and Conservation from the University of Michigan. His background in environmental studies is extensive and impressive. He is author of Future Environments of North America-The Transformation of a Continent published in 1965. Then in 1972 he wrote The Careless Technology: Ecology and International Development, which set the tone at the Stockholm Conference where, for the first time, members of the United Nations convened on environmental issues. Milton has written numerous other books and articles on ecology, environmental conservation, and inner development, and is credited with being one of the founding fathers of the environmental movement.
Milton's love for the environment began early in his life. At age 7 he began his solo communes with nature. By the time he was a teenager, he was recruiting friends to join him. For over 30 years, Milton has conducted programs and workshops that have helped people develop a partnership with nature, and develop an understanding of the core principles of the earth and spiritual connections with all living beings. Milton emphasizes the universal nature of the experiences. There is not a particular philosophy, such as Buddhism or Christianity, that is practiced. Rather it is a visionquest process, a universal way of working to dissolve the boundaries between self and nature, that is taught. This type of awareness training is practiced by peoples from all over the world. The Native Americans, the people of Ireland, the Basques and the Buddhists of Tibet all practice meditation to bring them closer to the Source. Christians call the Source God, the Native Americans call it the Great Spirit, Buddhists call it the Source or Essence of all the Buddhas. Bill Moyer's PBS special "Healing and the Mind," and Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" both brought new ways of thinking about ancient truths to the West. They showed us how the power of nature can bring us home to ourselves.
Milton's Nature Quests, pilgrimages, Awareness Trainings and Sacred Passages offer participants a direct personal experience such as those described by Moyers and Campbell. By conducting these Sacred Passages in pristine wilderness areas, Milton hopes to make it easier for people to go through the transformations necessary to contact the inner self and the universal essence of Nature. His programs help people develop inner peace and further their spiritual development.
Sometimes the ideas of the East are brought to the West, but at other times, participants of Sacred Passages from the West actually travel as far as Nepal or Tibet. There, they experience first hand the lifestyle and philosophies of the East. International pilgrimage groups are led over ancient roads by native tribespeople, skilled in working with pack animals. Travel is through remote areas, sometimes at elevations of 16,000 to 20,000 feet. During both the Awareness Training and the Solo that follows, the participants sleep in tents and eat whatever food is provided. During the day they practice meditation and T'ai Chi and may fast if they choose. Participants create their meditation space by counting out 108 paces, which will define the circle or mandala that they are in. Inside their mandala they will dedicate themselves to a deep communication with self and the Great Spirit. The number 108 is considered to have special significance. Although at times participants are experiencing solo visionquests, they are always safe. A system has been developed to allow people to be alone for several days at a time. They are monitored, however, in case they are in need of food, water or assistance.
While trekking across ancient trails and pathways, the spiritual pilgrims stop at monasteries or wilderness camps. At times, Milton explains, they may even end up at the residence of the Dalai Lama.
If you are interested in participating in any of the programs, whether here in Arizona or in the more exotic locations, you can receive information on schedules and prices by contacting John Milton at the Golden Flower, (tel: 520- 432-7353) or writing to Sacred Passage, Drawer CZ, Bisbee AZ 85603.
In the meantime, you may want to drop by the Golden Flower on Thursday evenings and begin by experiencing the many benefits of T'ai Chi. |
