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Get
The Word Out! Advertise
with the Laguna Journal (949) 494-721 (800) 376-4424 
We are only steps away from being like our ancestors as they were close to the intimate
rhythms of nature. Travel back in your mind just a hundred years, a
thousand years, and it's all right there before us: the sound of birdsong
cutting through a crystal clear morning, the majesty of a sky full of starlight
so bright that you can walk around under its glow, the wind whipping through a
terrain of deep silence, the presence of animals in their own home territory. We
are not separate from the rest of Creation we have just lost track and that lose
of nature has meant losing part of our own soul.
There
is a way to
begin to heal our fragmentation in the modern world. It requires going
into nature to look deep within ourselves, to discover and measure our own
growth through the seasons of our lives, taking time out from our
"doing" to enter "just being." Spending time
alone, seeking purpose and direction, listening for the voice of Spirit,
creating ceremony to mark one's changes, and returning to one's people with a
story that gives life new meaning --these are some of the elements of the Vision
Quest.
This
practice goes by many names and has roots in many cultures. In calling it
the Vision Quest, we acknowledge being inspired by our early ancestors, as well
as our own connection to this land called "Turtle Island".
My Granddad said, “It is
time”. In most tribes the vision quest is a boy or girl’s initiation into
adulthood. My Granddad always told me that it should take place when you are
ready and he seemed to think I was ready. I had already chosen the place for my
vision quest at my favorite spot high in the Sacramento mountains of
southeastern New Mexico less than 70 miles as the raven fly, from my home in El
Paso, a place were wild animals still live and few people go there.
I have over the years seen
Black bear, Mountain lion, Bobcat and the Coyote. I have seen magnificent Elk
herds and deer in groups to numerous to count and large herds of porn horn
antelope and the majestic mountain sheep. A land, were from sparrows to eagles
fly and from which buffalo not so very long ago roamed.
I was to stay on the mountain
no more than 4 days, without anyone seeing me, hearing me and without food or
drink of any kind. One should be very selective in choosing their spot for a
vision quest. Like mine it should be somewhere you love, were you are not likely
to be seen or heard, because if you are, you must start over again at some other
time. Remember you are to be totally alone, nude no blanket and without a knife
or tools of any kind. Your preparation should be well in advance and should
include any herb and/or the King of herbs along with all the sage you can carry.
For this will be your bed laying from East to west cuddled in between the lips
of mothers vulva with your head pointed east in alignment with the opening of
mothers outer circle. This is a re-birthing ceremony. You will enter Mother
Earth’s womb from which you will emerge from her and be born again into the
new world with new understanding and wisdom. You will know better your future
role in life and who you are. You should only be assisted by someone you trust,
a teacher, coach, shaman, holy man or woman, an elder with the knowledge and
understanding so they can show you the ways of the RedRoad
and prepare you by teaching you the proper instruction, ceremonies and rituals
involved in the vision quest and sacred beliefs, dances, songs, lessons in
expected adult behavior and a visionary spirit helper.
The isolation, the sensory deprivation, fasting and ingestion of herb
will result in hallucinations. In ancient times here on turtle island there were
special places where you could and should do your vision quest, they were
natural places such as holy rock formations (vulva form motifs) of Mother’s
vulva, later after these sacred places were discovered by outside peoples some
tribes would peck or paint Mothers sacred belief that a vision quest can take
place only after the age of 12 years has been reached. Many shaman and elders
refuse to assist here in the U.S. for fear of the white man’s laws against
such a ceremony. Before the entering of Mothers womb there must be seamen spent
and to impregnate Mother in order for her to give birth.
Not legal here, if the subject is under 18 years old. The vision quest is
also to help you find a mystical reality beneath the surface of life.
Experiencing a vision is an intensely personal event, a direct encounter with
the Great Mystery.
A vision quest can be repeated
again and again - as often as an individual feels the need for help from the
spirit powers.
My Vision Quest ![[Raven image]](clipart3.gif)
As I lay in the circle of
stones with poles representing the four directions, I
looked to the sky and asked the Great Spirit, "Who am I? Where do I come
from? Why am I here?" I heard no words, but for a brief moment I could
understand and all things here made clear. I felt connected with all around me.
The load of the world that I carried on my young shoulders was gone I had fallen
from an Eagle in the past but now I was about to get back on and take another
look around and I felt like I was now on that eagle flying high in the sky, able
to see far and wide. As I looked down on Mother I felt something that words
can't describe.