heart beats

While navigating through Española and White Rock, I ended up conversing with a Pueblo woman about Ley Lines, and how a number of architecturally significant monuments are built on them. She recommended I check out a place nestled in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains before leaving the state. After driving for an afternoon through desert and twisting road, I arrived at Santuario de Chimayo.

El Santuario de Chimayo, a small shrine located in New Mexico, and near the path of the Old Spanish Trail, has been a place of worship since before its construction in 1813. For generations people of faith have traveled to the site of El Santuario to ask for healing for themselves and others, and to offer prayers of petition and of thanksgiving for favors received.

There were meandering pathways to wander for contemplation. The Chapel was still and calm, serving as a place to reflect on the journey to that point in space/time. On the northwest corner of the chapel was a statue honoring Fr. Casimiro Roca, who had served in the location for over 40 years.

Near the exit I noticed a large wooden gate with a fiery heart carved on the front. It made me think about paths outward complimenting paths inward, generating sparks of possibility.

Many scientists, philosophers, and writers attribute a walking or travel routine helpful for idea discovery, premise shaping, and axiom iteration. Learn to fall in love with each beat of the path, and a way will forge itself.