It begins with an imperceptible quickening of the pulse upon seeing birds in flight, the muted flap of wings silhouetted serenely against the crimson backdrop of sunset. Or listening to the ephemeral caress of the wind rustling tranquilly through the trees, you perceive an ancient whisper suspended in time, gently urging you onward to a place where magic can still be found...

For those who long to "get away from it all", if even for a long deserved vacation, an area still remains where one can follow that inner voice which promises to free the spirit, and rejuvenate the senses.

The Australian Outback. Mysterious, vast and uncompromising, its awe-inspiring vistas and sun-drenched deserts await the intrepid traveler who believes the journey, is as important as the destination.

Although the word "outback" describes the arid interior of Australia, the term more accurately denotes a feeling rather than a precise set of parameters. The ethereal stillness and expansive quality of the land induces a state of psychological emptiness, a meditative paradise of subtropical wetlands, stunning sanguine deserts, breathtaking waterfalls, red rock formations, rain forest and savanna, all teeming with diverse, exotic wildlife.

The history of the outback derives from it's first inhabitants, the Aboriginal Anagu people, who have lived within the majestic solitude of Australia's sacred inner regions for more than 40,000 years.

Their deep respect for the land was forged from the belief that every significant event or activity occurring at a particular location leaves behind a vibrational imprint, which can be accessed by what they refer to as "Dreamtime".

Through "Dreaming", the hidden power of mountains, riverbeds, waterholes and rocks is revealed, reconfirming the inherent connection between man and nature, which, with the passage of time, has gradually been forgotten.

What better place to reestablish that bond than the legendary area known as Ayers Rock. Located in the heart of the continent, this formidable outcropping of sandstone looming above the desert plain symbolizes the essence of the Australian outback.

Also known as "Uluru" by the Aborigines, they believe that dwelling within the spectacular formation is a source of energy called "Tjukurpa'", and that light can often be seen emanating from it's timeless walls.

The surface of Uluru is also notable for changing color throughout the day, often appearing to glow inexplicably with various hues of red, blue, and violet... a dancing, sporadic play of lustrous iridescence that gradually gives way to twilight, the sun setting in regal splendor below the seemingly infinite horizon.

Uluru has been an important focus of the spiritual life of the Aborigines for time immemorial. Hundreds of paintings which depict Aboriginal life cover the walls of caves that are interspersed throughout the revered monolith, a pictorial testimony to the traditions and beliefs of a people who have lived in harmony with the natural flow of the earth, and in doing so, receive emotional and spiritual sustenance from the source of all that was, all that is, and all that will be......

Jim Sherard is a freelance writer, traveler, and owner of www.jackaroohome.com/customerservice.html a site featuring Australian outback clothing.

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