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| Author Unknown | |||
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From the beginning of time humanity has returned to nature to connect with Spirit and to seek answers to problems of the third dimension. There is something about being alone in Nature that brings us closer; makes us more aware of the four elements, and our connection to a creational source. We go to seek truths; divine realization, just as many of the ancient prophets did in their time. In its own way the vision quest is an Initiation not unlike the days of ancient Egypt and Atlantis. One seeks an internal transformation. In a vision quest conditions are set up that allow the soul to move beyond the illusions of the little self and enter the unity of the inner whole. It is a time of fasting, praying, and being in nature. It is a period of solitude in which we seek an inner revelation, a vision which grants profound meaning and direction to our life. This initiation leads to maturity and an understanding of our responsibility to ourselves, our society, our natural environment, and our soul. |
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Though the Vision Quest is associated with Native Americans traditions, it is practiced all over the world. As an expression of the archetypal 'Heroic Journey', the vision quest has been enacted in religious pilgrimages, mythological tales; including the story of the search for the Holy Grail, and our own daily pursuit of truth and purpose. In Native American traditions these times of inner trial are marked liked passages. Time is set aside to honour them. It might be a day, a week, a month, whatever is necessary to complete the transformation and get the answer one seeks. |
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A sacred circle of stone is placed on the ground. The seeker remains in the circle for a chosen period of time. Sometimes a helper will check on the seeker; in cases of bad weather or to be sure the person is okay. Now the seeker is ready to go out alone in nature to spend the time seeking greater truths, which may come as a vision you see in 3D; |
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A seeker may not understand the vision when the seeker receives it. It may take time for the seeker to process. |
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| In many instances the seeker is taken out
of their body and are confronted by both the angelic and the demonic aspects
of their own fears. This transformational experience has been sometimes been done with the use of natural pseudylics such as peyote, mescaline, and the South American Iawaska plant during sacred initiation rites. These plants were held as sacred teachers from the plant kingdom. The insights during the sacred space allowed the veils between this world and the next to be pulled back and for the seeker to transcend themselves and this dimension. When the quest is over the seeker leaves. |
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| Curing illness; I have spoken with people
who have been diagnosed with illnesses like cancer, and have returned
after two weeks with nothing to drink but water; no food, and have been
cured. You may be given a vision that will help your soul address its issues and move into its spiritual space. Confidence; If we emerge from the wilderness alive and healthy, we feel more certain of our abilities and our strength, because we have survived raw nature and our own imagined limitations. We did alone, but we also discovered additional sources of power from beyond us. Stronger connections. We enhance our link to nature, humanity, and spirit. Appreciation of life. We cherish it more intensely, after facing possible dangers and death in the wilderness. Our temporary deprivals also increase our appreciation of our friends, our food, and our material comforts. The realization that we have our own source of wisdom. The vision comes to us directly, intimately; without books, churches, or religious teachers. Our connection to source; one soul. Meeting your spirit guides; or spirit self so we understand who is guiding our path. Finding your power animal. For more information on finding your power animal, refer to lesson five.
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| A Vision Quest is an experience of deeper
understanding of Nature and Spirit. It is a ceremony practiced by American
Indians. To prepare for this 'insight' one must first cleanse the body and mind by going through a Inipi or sweat lodge. Then with the help of a Holy Man is told certain things and must go to a spot, usually on a holy mountain, and stay 2 or 3 days. During this time no food is eaten and one does not sleep but spends the time in deep prayer and observation. Many times, but not always, there is a vision. This vision is then shared with the Holy Man to help learn of its meaning. Sometimes the meaning is not shown for several years afterward. |
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This is part of a vision quest I was told to share with all who may be interested. Once, I went to pray at the top of the sacred mountain of my ancestors. As I climbed to the top I heard voices singing as the wind blew the leaves. At the top I saw, made from many stones, a large circle with a cross inside. I knew from my teachings that this represented the circle of life and the four directions. I sat down by the edge of this circle to pray. I thought this is only a symbol of the universe. "True" a very soft voice said. "Look and you will see the Centre of the Universe. Look at every created thing." As I looked around I saw that every created thing had a thread of smoke or light going from it. The voice whispered, "This cord that every created thing has is what connects it to the Creator. Without this cord it would not exist." As I watched I saw that all these threads, coming from everything, went to the centre of the circle where the four directions were one place (the centre of the cross). I saw that all these threads were tied together or joined here at this spot. The voice spoke again, "This is the Centre of the Universe. The place where all things join together and all things become one. The place where everything begins and ends. The place inside everything created." That's when I understood that all of creation, the seen and the unseen, was all related. The voice spoke one last time, "Yes, now you know the Centre of the Universe." |
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I pray to the four directions.....hear me. I pray to the West which gives us rest and reflection. I pray to the North which gives us patience and purity. I pray to the East which gives us energy and emotions. I pray to the South which gives us discipline and direction. Grandmother, share with me your wisdom, Grandfather, share with me your strength, |
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| There is another ceremony that is observed in as many styles and traditions as the Sweat Lodge. The preparations and completion of this ritual may take from six months to a year and involve many personal healing processes. It may require the participation in other ceremonies such as the Sweat Lodge or fasting with prayer. One should always know the terms and conditions of the Quest before they make arrangements to participate. In the old days it was done at a younger age, now age has nothing to do with the need to stop time and reflect. The prayers made are personal and for all living beings. The vision may be a mere sense of knowing or a Technicolor visit from an ancient one. The Quest may last anywhere from one to four days and nights. Usually in a complete fast with no food or water, and a support circle keeping ceremony going in your behalf. However, for many the Quest is alone in the wilderness with a journal and a jug of water. And that is just as powerful. |
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