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Over the past 30 years, for many people the term Vision Quest has come to
signify a wilderness solo that is done in a profoundly Sacred Way. Our Fellowship honors all humankind's traditional grandmothers and grandfathers who have followed, and continue to practice, this deeply Sacred practice. Out of respect for our Native American brothers and sisters, we do not use their practice of the sweat lodge, sacred pipe and sundance. Likewise, our solo rites of passage are careful not to borrow from native prayers, ceremonies and rituals. Our training and solo process emphasizes a universal spiritual pathway with universal prayer, meditation, ceremony and movement. Our practices and principles are open to All who come in good heart. In the Way of Nature, we use the term
Sacred Passage, rather than vision quest, to describe our Sacred Passage wilderness solo and Awareness Training programs. We recognize that there is a difference between this type of open, universal sacred
experience and the classical Native American vision quest process, which is a
different kind of sacred opening.
“It is quite possible that the vision quest is the most
ancient spiritual practice on Earth”
Many indigenous cultures have long valued the classical wilderness solo, solo retreat in nature, and vision quest as
powerful rites-of-passage and direct ways to receive vision. It is quite
possible that sacred solo time in Nature and the vision quest are the most ancient spiritual practices on Earth,
far older than all historical religions. Most of these classical rites of passage are quite
rigorous and physically challenging. John Milton provides the classical rite of passage experience to those interested students who have already participated in
at least one regular Sacred Passage program. The student must prepare for 6-12
months before partaking in this 4-5 day process. Generally, our traditional rites of passage have these parameters: you stay within an 8-foot circle, you may
have a little water but no food, you do not sleep, and although you may loosely
cover up at night with a blanket or sleeping bag you will not wear clothes for
the whole time. You alternate between ceremony, prayer, various shamanic styles
of meditation and energy-cultivating practices.
John does not charge for his time, his
teachings and his guidance in this process, but the student must make prior
arrangements with John before participating in this classical Rite of Passage, and prepare fully for months beforehand with prayer, meditation, energy cultivation practices and Way of Nature - derived ceremony. If you apply to engage in this powerful process, John may determine it is not appropriate for him to work with you at that time and in that way. If it is appropriate to go ahead together, both
John and the aspiring quester must mutually agree to work together in following strict guidelines to allow the deep Sacred Process to unfold. |
