06 May Sacred Mount Baldy
Mountains everywhere have inspired spiritual feelings — in the face of vast vistas, the ego becomes right-sized. Whether we’re in a car or standing still after hiking with all our endorphins pumping, the view from the summit is exhilarating,. We can’t deny that we’re not running the show, that Something Grander is Going On. New Agers have compiled lists of holy mountains on the planet, including designating certain mountains as Chakra centers of the earth.
Mount Baldy has a particular history of holiness. The highest peak in Los Angeles County, it was revered as a sacred mountain by the Tongva nation, and young braves were often sent there on vision quests. The Mount Baldy Zen Center, made famous by the singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen’s residence there, has been on the mountain since 1971. George King, the founder of the Aetherius Society, channeled energy on the mountain and stated, “The energies of Mount Baldy help the pilgrims to have a deeper cosmic appreciation.” The Society conducts monthly hikes and holds their annual World Peace Pilgrimage there.
Mount Baldy is about an hour outside L.A, depending on traffic. You’ll find a rickety, old ski lift leading up to a restaurant and bar. Please be forewarned that the altitude of 8600 feet is not for everyone – altitude sickness is common between 6-8000 feet and may cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches. If that doesn’t afflict you and yours, Mount Baldy is a lovely place to hike, and who knows? maybe meet some extraterrestrials.
This is an excerpt from Catherine Auman’s book Guide to Spiritual L.A.: The Irreverent, the Awake, and the True
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