Grand Canyon's Tunnel to The Underworld, page 7

The Sipapu exists and it is the most powerful place I've been to on earth. I went, in late October on a drizzling cold day, and that was the only time I feel I was allowed. I started out at The Gap, Az and traveled following a map that was made for me by my roomate at NAU (Northern Arizona University). He is a powerful Navaho man now, but then, he told me that he felt it would be good that I should visit the place of the Hopi emmergence. I was young, and I thought of myself as very spiritual. My roomate told me that this place is claimed by many of the Hopi people to be the entry to this, the Fourth World, from the Third. He told me not to enter the sacred hole until I had fasted and was certain there was no food in my system for at least two days. It took three days of running and hiding as he said he could not give me or get me permission to go. Those who have been, know the way and it is not too difficult to find if you seek it. I have been told that it is not right to share the location.

On the third morning of my fast, I was hiding in an overhang above the Sipapu. I watched for several hours, then went to the top of the Canyon to see if there were any signs of others. A little after noon, when I was fairly certain I was alone, I approached the Sacred Portal. Ages of dissolved solids in the exhalations of the gas from the water had made a large pasty flesh colored dome contiguous to the river, somewhat irregular but resembling an semi- hemisphere of an ovoid about 75' in circumfernce and maybe 15' high with there being another 4' to 6' to the river water level from the uphill side. There were several ways to get to the top, so I removed all my clothes and boots, placed them in a neat pile then climbed to the top from the East. By the time I reached the top, my head was beginning to spin and I felt little connection to my body. Still, I was able to manipulate it and, feet first, entered the hole in the top which was an irregular shaped "O" about 4' in average diameter. The ledges inside the hole appeared to emmulate this "O" but in ever increasing diameters. Once my entire body was below the opening, I stopped, closed my eyes and said a prayer to spirits that seemed indifferent to me, but made their presences known. When I completed my prayer which took a minute or so, I don't remember other than it was a while, I opened my eyes to a golden light, felt a little less dizzy and felt then felt the stinging of the carbonated air in my nostrils. I had to climb down about eight feet to the top of the water level, the stinging in my nostrils intensifying with each foot of descent.. This water level was perched about 10' above the river level. In the small open cavern over the water were six prayer sticks with what looked like Red Tail Hawk feathers adorning them, tied with rawhide and laced with multi-colored beads. In addition there were other feathers from birds of prey. The air temperature was surprisingly warm, and the water itself felt tepid. As I began to submerge my toes, the effervescence was overwhelming. I did not withdraw, but instead, continued to climb down into the water despite its intense tingling. With the submergence came a measured bubbling and hissing that was perceptibly displacing the oxygen. Still, I was able to continue, without discomfort, until I was submerged to my chin. I had to hold on to the ledges as my body had negative bouyancy. I surmised the gas concentration was so great that if I let go, I would sink. No, I concluded I fall slowly at first, accelerating gently but endlessly. I slowly inhaled and exhaled several times, and began to climb down below the surface. I could hold my body from descending with one finger, but if I let go, I would sink. Downward I descended, not feeling fear nor elation. There was a luring desire to keep going down, but the pressure was not increasing like normal water on my eardrums. I gave myself a few more seconds on the descent, then began climbing back up. I tried to open my eyes but the water stung them too much to keep them open. I did, however see the light coming in from above and realized I was more than 25 feet down. There was no panic, just deliberate movement to get to the top. When I reached the surface, I continued to hold my breath until the top of my head protruded out of the hole. I took a measured breath and was astonished to find that I was not needing the desparate breaths of a drowning swimmer. I took many more deep breaths, as I descended again, only deeper. The visions I had were many and very personal, but they were to guide me the rest of my life. When I departed the Sipapu, I was not cold. I put my clothes on, thanked the spirits and returned to my home a changed man.

I joined this thread to share this experience with those of you whom I feel could live it vicariously. I apologize to anyone who feels this was not right, but I have no regrets, no guilt. Thanks