Jose AIID LENA STEVENS^71amplifiers. They simply magnify whatever the people bring
inside of them. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare your-
self by centering and calming yourself before knowingly
going to a power spot.
Within every vicinity are numerous very small power
spots that may have a beneficial effect on one or a few indi-
viduals. Shamans try to be aware of these spots and gravitate
toward them wherever they go. In general, people uncon-
sciously use their instincts to move toward or away from
these locations as they go about their daily affairs. For exam-
ple, you may have a favorite spot in a park you like to fre-
quent, or you may regularly avoid walking down some block
for reasons unknown to you.
Children often identify a favorite or "secret" place where
they go for fun, adventure, or comfort when troubled. Think
back to your own childhood. Can you remember such a
place? You might even recall meeting a sweetheart (or a
series of them) at a special natural spot. The same emotional
recognition occurs quite often when you buy a home: either
the neighborhood feels just right or the home "feels" like the
right one. And, just like any animal who circles around be-
fore sitting, you will carefully select your seat in a cafe or
theater even though all seats offer adequate service or views.
Power spots influence the vicinity around them in direct
relation to their strength. Huge power spots such as the ones
located at Taos, New Mexico, and near Big Sur, California,
influence a radius of one hundred miles. Of course, the
closer you are to the center of the spot, the stronger the
influence you feel. Very small power spots may influence
only a few yards around them.
Selka watched nervously as Mendo headed into the
forest, laden with nothing but his simple garb. This was to
be a most powerful initiation for her brother His task was
to find his place of power, seek there a vision, and return
before he had eaten or taken liquid. The forest was broad
and no one knew what dangers lay in the lands beyond.
Besides, a hunting band of a hostile tribe had been spot-
ted recently near the base of the maze rocks.
Mendo approached the cleft in the rocks carefully. Al-
though parched and hungry, he felt sensitive to the pat-
terns of energy that shifted as he walked over the land.
Now he knew he had come to a place that felt strong.
Slowly he edged himself between the large boulders and
felt the intensity of energy there. He felt elated. This was