People in indigenous societies have always undertaken vision quests. They
can either be part of puberty rites to help a young person
find their place in society, or be undertaken by adults
who want transformation or clarity concerning issues
in their lives. Especially as we rediscover the natural
world, more and more modern people are
appreciating the utility of this ancient practice.
Going out of our way to work through uncertainty about
meaningful things brings us closer to God, since we discover
more of our real selves and what we want to do. Boredom and
sadness, and the negative attitudes that often go along with them, are subtle
pains. They stem from the almost natural inclination we have of not wanting to deal
with personal issues. Extended time alone is often required to effectively wrestle with
these tendencies and begin to resolve their causes.
Although vision quests almost always resove things on the intellectual level, they are mainly
done to confront deeper issues which have limited the seeker’s happiness and fulfillment.
Sometimes this involves finding and bonding with a specific inner spiritual power, or guide. In
that case, initiation of some kind occurs on its own at some point during the quest.
VISION QUEST OPTIONS
This is not the same as just going off on a camping trip with your journal! Attitude and intention
are important, and at least basic ritual preparations are vital. The four possibilities below
illustrate different levels of austerity in preparation, comfort level, and time involved. If you’d
like to do a vision quest, let me know which category below most interests you and we can
figure out how to modify its format if appropriate.
DavidLowMSPhd.com
If your circumstances don’t allow you to
spend significant periods of time by
yourself, much can be gained even through
brief periods in which you are left alone
with your mind. --Duration: 3-6 hours --
Location: Room in your home --Privation /
Allowances: Notebook, pen and counselor
on call --Preparation: Being well-rested,
basic ritual offering
Urban & Wilderness
Vision
Quests
STANDARD ALL-DAY
WILDERNESS
This is for people with no unusual or
outstanding health issues who are willing
to fast a bit before starting their quest.
--Duration: 12 hours (ex: 6 am – 6 pm)
--Location: Wilderness/Park site
--Deprivations: External objects, food
--Preparation: 18-hour food fast (typically
from noon the day before), ritual and
offering
BRIEF TIME ALONE
STANDARD ALL-DAY-
DOMESTIC
Same as above, except done at home. Care is
taken to transform a particular room into
appropriate space. This can be done by
removing some things, covering larger
things like sofas, shelves etc. with sheets
until one has the effect of a “cave” in the
wild or a prayer room in a monastery.
Needless to say, there must be assurance of
1) no disturbance from others, and 2) of
silence. Frequent noise from cars going by
outside, etc., is the most frequent reason
that vision quests of this type may not be
effective.
THE WEEKEND
This requires more preparation because
minimal overnight accomodations are
needed. Fasting details, if any, need to be
worked out. A standard format for those
NOT willing to food-fast for (a total of) 72
hours might be:
--Duration: 27 hours (After arrival at site,
from noon on Saturday till 3 pm Sunday)
--Location: prechosen spot away from
actual campsite
--Deprivations: No eating after late-
morning Saturday meal in accordance with
energy needs. Otherwise same as above.
--Preparation: Individual details to be
worked out.
STANDARD FOUR DAY
Ancient tradition around the world has discovered that for new, life-altering understandings to
really sink in, integrate and be understood, four days seems to be the time interval most often
required for a vision quest in the original sense of the word. Realistically speaking, an entire day
on either end is also required, for preparation and set-up beforehand, followed by debriefing and
return afterwards. Individual details would need to be worked out.
Meditation Techniques
-Mantra, visualization,
movement, methods
-Affirmations
-Meditation Q & A & Instructions
-Vision Quests
Spirituality &
Common Mental
Health Issues
-Adjustments
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Relationships
-Life direction
-Personal views of addiction
-Mindful Recovery
“Spirituality
is
Reality”
Contact Info
david@worldspirituality.com
Leave message or text me at:
215-206-4091
Tap Topics below to read text
in the yellow box
“Spirituality
is
Reality”
Urban & Wilderness
Vision Quests
People in indigenous societies have always
undertaken vision quests. They can either
be part of puberty rites to help a young
person find their place in society, or be
undertaken by adults who want
transformation or clarity concerning
issues in their lives. Especially as we
rediscover the natural world, more and
more modern people are appreciating the
utility of this ancient practice.
Going out of our way to work through
uncertainty about meaningful things
brings us closer to God, since we discover
more of our real selves and what we want
to do. Boredom and sadness, and the
negative attitudes that often go along with
them, are subtle pains. They stem from the
almost natural inclination we have of not
wanting to deal with personal issues.
Extended time alone is often required to
effectively wrestle with these tendencies
and begin to resolve their causes.
Although vision quests almost always
resolve things on the intellectual level, they
are mainly done to confront deeper issues
which have limited the seeker’s happiness
and fulfillment. Sometimes this involves
finding and bonding with a specific inner
spiritual power, or guide. In that case,
initiation of some kind occurs on its own at
some point during the quest.
VISION QUEST OPTIONS
This is not the same as just going off on a
camping trip with your journal! Attitude
and intention are important, and at least
basic ritual preparations are vital. The four
possibilities below illustrate different
levels of austerity in preparation, comfort
level, and time involved. If you’d like to do
a vision quest, let me know which category
below most interests you and we can
figure out how to modify its format if
appropriate.
A Vision Quest might include …
Contact Me at:
david@worldspirituality.com
Call or text me at:
215-206-4091
SPIRITUAL
COUNSELING
AND INTERFAITH MINISTRY
