Vision Quest
From the beginning of time - humanity has returned to nature to connect with Spirit and to seek answers to problemsof the third dimension.
There is something about being alone in Nature that brings us closer - makes us more aware - of the 4 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.
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.
Today, there are companies which sponsor vision quests; they provide a wilderness area in which it is to occur, and
they give instructions and guidance before and after the event.
In Native American traditions these times of inner trial are marked liked passages.
Time is set aside to honor them.
It might be a day, a week, a month, whatever is necessary to complete the transformation and get the answer one seeks.
Preparation:
one must be in top physical condition free of stress
you must be balanced psychologically
able to fast
be able to camp out for long periods of time
knowledge of first aid
prepare sleeping equipment - or sleep on the ground.
knowledge of spiritual things like meditation
bring a spiritual instrument so you can play or chant.
be comfortable with the solitude
if the weather permits you may wish to remove your clothing.
Now you are ready to go out alone in nature to spend the time seeking greater truths.
They may come as a vision you see in 3D - a dream - a connection with nature - through meditation -
You may not understand the vision when you receive it. It may take time for you to process.
A sacred circle of stone is placed on the ground. The individual remains in the circle for a certain period of time.
The person remains in the circle. Sometimes a helper will check on the person - in cases of bad weather or to be sure
the person is OK.
In many instances one 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 individual voyager to transcend himself and this dimension.
When the quest is over the person leaves.
The benefits of a vision quest
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 are given a vision that will help you soul help 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
From Black Elk ( Lakohta Medicine man )
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.
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 Center 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 center of the circle where the four
directions were one place (the center 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 Center 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 Center of the Universe."
I pray to the four directions.....hear me.
I pray to the West which gives us rest and reflection.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the North which gives us patience and purity.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the East which gives us energy and emotions.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the South which gives us discipline and direction.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
Grandmother, share with me your wisdom, and I thank you for this gift.
Grandfather, share with me your strength, and I thank you for this gift.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Notice!!!!
A Vision Quest is dangerous if not done properly.
The greatest danger is in fasting.* Fasting does not mean you simply stop eating and drinking until you see or hear visions or aparations.
You can go 7-days without food.
You can go 3 days without water.
You can go 4 days without glucose.
You can lose your sense of direction in 3-minutes.
If you have medical problems ( diagnosed or unknown of ), and go more than two days without food and water, death is possible, depending on your illness.
After 4 days without glucose, your brain begins to enter into a state of disarray, it begins to cease to function, and you can suffer long term psychological damage.
After just 3 days without water, dehydrations sets in and your organs begin to suffer damage. ( Your body's need for water causes it to absorb water from your tissues, fat suplies, and finally muscles.)
After 7-days without food, your body begins to self absorb it's neeed nutrients from within, and you literally eat yourself to death.
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