A Solitary Journey Of The Soul

For thousands of years both the men and women of Native American cultures willingly stepped outside of society alone to face the dangers and beauty of nature unadulterated in order to learn about their own spirits and the mysteries of the universe. They sought not a vision of their spirit guardian, but supernatural guidance in the form of a personal revelation about their own spirit. In this way, the quest often held the greatest significance for youngsters training to be warriors who wished to learn the sacred tools of earthly survival or those who felt called to become shamans.

The traditional vision quest began with a period of solitude, deep prayer and meditation, wherein the seeker mentally prepared for the trials that lay ahead. He or she would physically cleanse by participating in a sweat lodge before approaching the tribe's holy man, who would present the seeker with a destination, often a sacred spot high in the mountains or far off on the plains. There, the young man or woman would fast while observing nature and waiting calmly, so as not to miss the revelation they would be granted by the great spirit. It could come in many forms: a vision, a dream, communal with an animal spirit or an experience in which one is brought out of one's self. What was revealed was not always immediately understood, and time was often needed to fully comprehend the experience.

Today vision quests can still allow us to move beyond the ego into a realm where truths are presented to us through introspection. The period of growth necessary to complete the quest is a rite of passage that marks the meaningful transitions in our lives. After a vision quest, we can emerge from the wilderness cognizant of the sources of power within ourselves and our unending relationship with nature.