I was popping thought my feed on IG today and this one piece came up about this woman who had traveled to the Great Pyramid of Giza and was totally disappointed. All she did was go on and on about how she had long dreamt of traveling to and exploring the pyramid, but it was inundated with tourist, and she had a horrible time. She spoke about how she made her way to the King’s Chamber but the pathway there was totally overrun with tourists. Then she proclaimed, there was nothing powerful or spiritual about the place at all.  She warned everyone not to go there. I guess she never read my book, Zen: Tales from the Journey.
 
Well over forty years ago, I traveled to Egypt. At that point in time, the location was not yet overrun with tourism. I, of course, went to the Great Pyramid. This was at a time when you could still climb the pyramids, if that was your desire. Yes, Yes… I understand, that's a bad thing to do. But, at least at that point in time, it seemed like the thing I should do. Which, is something that I did. Sorry!
 
But more to the point… The pyramids have always been depicted as this great source point of spiritual energy. A place, where one can really commune with the grand beyond, and come into contact with an intense spiritual force. Due to the fact that there were no tourists in the area at the time period when I first went there, I was literally allowed to climb all the way up through the pyramid, and make my way to the King's Chamber, (the center of the pyramid), completely alone. Meaning, I was in the King's Chamber all by myself.
 
As I stood there, I tried to interact with that promised power-point of energy. Quickly, I realized, however, that it did not exist. If there was any energy within the pyramids, it had been drained a long-long time ago. I talked about this in an essay I wrote for a magazine, way back in the way back when, and later in my book, Zen: Tales from the Journey.
 
Here's the thing… We all hear about the promised spiritual energy in certain locations around the globe. Personally, I've visited many of them. Plus, by the time I ever began traveling to these holy sites, I was already deeply involved in the Spiritual Path. Thus, I knew what I was looking for. But quickly, I realized, from all of these places, whatever may have been there, certainly had been robbed long ago; as was the case with the Great Pyramid.
 
I've been to where it is said that the Buddha found enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India. I've touched the Ganges River water in nearby Varanasi, (perhaps the holiest city in India), and at its source in Devprayag. I've traveled to monasteries in Tibet. Lived in Rishikesh. I've walked the streets of Old Jerusalem, where Jesus is said to have walked. I've traveled to where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Though, I've never been allowed to travel into Mecca… …I guess that's probably because I have blonde hair and I doubt that anyone would believe I'm a Muslim. This, even though my first spiritual initiation was via the Chishti Sect of The Sufi Order. But… I've been to a lot of other places that promise spiritual energy across all faiths all across the globe. Plus, I’ve been to much lesser-known locations, that are said to possess promised spiritual energy.
 
The point being, like many people, I've spent my entire life seeking out the spiritual realms and the deeper meanings promised at those locations via spiritual investigation and ultimate emancipation. But, there's nothing there.
 
A funny sidebar here, if I may… I was actually scheduled to have an audience with the Pope. I was really looking forward to it. But, I received this e-mail. “The Prefecture of the Papal Household informs you that the following reservation has been cancelled.” Wow! I guess some of his Cardinals or Bishops, or whoever told him what would happen if I arrived in the Vatican. You know, like in all the horror movies, the crosses are going to turn upside down and catch on fire, and the statues of Mother Mary are going to start crying tears of blood and stuff.
 
I'm just joking, of course. But, I did find that email kind of interesting. I guess it was okay that I could meet with the Dalai Lama, but I'm unworthy to meet the Pope???
 
The point to all this being, we all expect, anticipate, and are told that there are these spiritually holy places. There are these places of great mystical energy. But, the fact of the fact is, there's nothing there, except for your own projection(s). Some believe. Some don't. Some, like myself, truly seek to investigate and explore the inner hidden realms that are promised at certain places and from certain people.
 
Speaking of… I've met a lot of people, over my many years walking the Spiritual Path, that we're said to be very spiritual beings. In some cases, I felt it was true. But, in others, I could just see through all the bullshit they were laying out.
 
Thus, the main thing to think about as you pass through life—the main thing to remember is that, just because something is said to be something, that does not make it something. The only something that is something is that something that is revealed solely to you, in your deepest, inner, spiritual being.
 
Thus, you can go to the pyramids if you want to. They are a great architectural feat. But, if you go there hoping to find some grand spiritual something, some embodiment of power, then, like I said in that essay and that chapter in my book oh so many years ago, the fact be told, if there ever was any great spiritual energy at that location, it was robbed a long, long time ago.