There is a special place in Arizona that embodies the very essence of journey and transformation: Sedona. Named after a brave woman whose life was defined by travel and change, Sedona continues to attract people seeking both external adventure and internal growth. At Sedona Philosophy, we believe that moving across this magnificent landscape can lead to profound personal journeys, offering experiences that are both meaningful and transformative.

The Legacy of Sedona Schnebly: A Journey Home

The story of Sedona is about journeys. Sedona Miller Schnebly, and her husband T.C. Schnebly, embarked on an adventure to build a new life. The Schnebly story is one of building and creating. They built a boarding house for fellow travelers, and imagined Schnebly Hill Road connecting to Flagstaff.

But as with all journeys, theirs was marked by both gain and loss. The tragic death of their young daughter Pearl showed them that life’s path is not always smooth. Their subsequent return to Missouri taught them that sometimes you can’t go back to where you came from, because home is more than a place, it is a feeling of belonging. In the end the Schneblys felt they belonged most in Sedona. This legacy of travel, transformation, and revelation is woven into the very fabric of Sedona.

Philosophy and Transformation

The concept of transformation has been explored by philosophers throughout history. A philosophy tour combines the exploration of ideas with an exploration of the land. Below are some philosophical perspectives on transformation. Maybe some of these apply to your own life.

Change is an inevitable fact

Heraclitus was one of the earliest and still one of the most famous thinkers to talk about change in the world.

You can’t step in the same river twice, because it’s not the same river and you’re not the same person.

This famous saying reminds us that change is an inevitable fact of life, and that life, like water, flows in one direction.  

Wisdom Is like water

Water is a powerful metaphor for change and has been discussed by Eastern philosophical traditions as well as in the West.Taoism’s famous first verse says

The tao that can be spoken is not the eternal tao.

This reminds us that wisdom and insight are context-specific, and for that reason, transitory. 

Transformation is up to us

Transformation is not just about change in the world, it is also about change within us. John Paul Sartre articulated that existential freedom is possible because  

existence precedes essence

This is a reminder that who we are is up to us. We exist first, and create our essence as we go along. Individual identity is built through our choices and actions, our thoughts and deeds. The very act of traveling to Sedona and engaging with its landscapes can be seen as an exercise in this existential freedom, allowing us to redefine ourselves away from the constraints of our everyday lives.

Nature is a catalyst for personal insight

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau believed that direct spiritual experience with nature was a path to self-realization. Sedona’s awe-inspiring natural beauty offers countless opportunities for such transcendental experiences that can lead to change and transformation. 

The Dual Nature of Travel

At Sedona Philosophy, we recognize that travel often involves two kinds of journeys that inform one another.

1. Physical Journey: The act of moving across the land, experiencing new sights, sounds, and sensations.

2. Internal Journey: The transformation that occurs within us as we encounter new perspectives and challenges.

Sedona is uniquely positioned to facilitate both. As you hike our trails, stand in awe before intricate red rock formations, or feel the amazing energy, you’re not just traversing physical space. You’re also navigating the landscape of your own consciousness, potentially uncovering new aspects of yourself in the process. Through the experiences at Sedona Philosophy, we aim to facilitate the kind of transformative travel that doesn’t just change your location, but potentially changes your life. 

The Dialectic of Journey and Destination

Hegel’s dialectical method suggests that growth occurs through the tension and resolution of opposing forces. In travel, we experience the dialectic of journey and destination, of familiar and unfamiliar, of self and other. Sedona serves as the perfect backdrop for this philosophical interplay, offering a space where these opposites can merge into a transformative synthesis. 

The Ongoing Journey

Remember, the journey doesn’t end when you leave Sedona. The insights gained, the perspectives shifted, and the memories created become part of your ongoing personal narrative. They inform how you move through the world long after you’ve returned home. 

At Sedona Philosophy, we invite you to embark on a journey that traverses both the stunning red rock landscape and the equally magnificent landscape of your own ideas. Come discover how traveling across this magical land can help you embark on a personal journey that is truly meaningful and transformative. We invite you to join us on one of our walking, driving, or meditation tours.

Your Sedona adventure awaits. Are you ready to begin your philosophical journey?