A Journey to Subway Cave
On a bright spring day, my mother and I embarked on an adventure along an unmarked spur trail leading to Subway Cave, nestled in the enchanting Boynton Canyon, near Sedona, Arizona. As we carefully navigated our way up a rocky cliff toward the cave’s entrance, we were surprised to hear a little boy pose an intriguing question to his father: “Do you think moons could be spaceships? We’re always finding more of them.” I glanced at my mother, who met my gaze with wide, astonished eyes. “That child really gets it,” she remarked, clearly impressed.
Just an hour prior, we had immersed ourselves in meditation beneath the towering shadow of a rock formation known as Kachina Woman. This site holds sacred significance for the Hopi people and is reputed to be a location of a vortex—an area where energy purportedly flows into or out of the earth. Such mesmerizing sites attract millions of visitors to Sedona annually. During our meditation, my mother elaborated on her belief that these places are not merely about energy transfer. They also serve as points of contact where, according to her, a mother ship could beam the enlightened to an interplanetary dimension.
She animatedly described how, if we timed our visit just right, these otherworldly spirit guides would come to collect her. As I sat in the cool, earthy ground, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Swirling centers of energy were one thing, but the notion of actual celestial portals was a leap I struggled to take. All I could muster was a desperate plea: “Can you not leave me yet?”
A few years back, my mother’s routine of yoga and meditation began to evolve into more esoteric pursuits. She delved into the realms of mediumship—learning to facilitate communication between spirits and the living—and embraced past-life regression, a form of hypnotherapy designed to connect individuals with their previous lives to gain insights into their current existence.
While I have always approached mindfulness with a pragmatic mindset, focusing on its tangible benefits like improved concentration and enhanced sleep, I initially tried to remain open to my mother’s newfound interests. I asked about her online discussion groups, visited her during a retreat, and even consented to her attempts to guide me through a regression session, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. However, as time went on, it became increasingly challenging to conceal my concerns. My inquisitive nature led to a growing disconnect between us—she felt judged for her beliefs, while I often felt excluded from her spiritual journey.
