Vision Quest in Scotland
24th June – 4th July 2024
Come let your weary bones rest on this earth.
What is Vision Quest?
The journey into the wilderness: to seek vision, wisdom and self-knowledge is as old as human civilisation itself. In all cultures and societies it has existed in one form or another and all great spiritual leaders, from Jesus and Buddha to Knights of the Middle Ages and modern day Medicine men and women, have tested themselves and sought enlightenment in this way, bringing back what they have learned to their people, so that they may all benefit from the experience.
Every earth-based culture has had a tradition of enacting formal rites of passage of one kind or another, such as the Celts, Siberians, Africans, Tibetans and Native Americans. The most effective way of moving from one life stage to another, is by ‘marking’ that transition with ritual and ceremony. One of the most effective and simple ways of doing this is to allow ourselves to really feel, deeply feel, our connection to the land and allow the land to move us.
The hero’s journey consists of 3 stages – severance, threshold and incorporation. Choosing to embark on this journey is a sign that you are ready to letting go of the old life which no longer satisfies, into the unknown dark mystery to find the sparks of life you have been craving and gently bring them into your life. It is a transition between stages of existence, often referred to as “the dark night of the soul”, and must be passed through to discover the next level of being.
Stages
Severance
This stage begins when you make the decision to undertake a Vision Quest. It’s time to look at your life until this point and describe the key events in an autobiography of your life.
Before you even step foot on the land the ceremony has begun and it will become more and more difficult to keep holding onto those things which are no longer serving your life. Change is about to happen, you are about to enter into a powerful ceremony and fear is going to be a natural part of that process.
Threshold
You stand on the edge of a new land – all the preparation has lead you to this point. Now is the time to step off the cliff that was separating you from the comfortable and familiar into the unknown. The process of facing yourself has started.
Everything that happens here is loaded with significance, because this time alone in nature is time in the “spirit world”, your own inner landscapes. There are childhood toys, words from a forgotten argument, an old injury lying on the ground around you – they all carry a story and now is the time to listen and let go, as you do so you’ll the voice of your soul lies waiting underneath.
Incorporation
You will feel alive and invincible – but the real “work” has just begun. The revelations and insights will fade away and not count for anything until you bring the medicine of the quest back into your life and your community. They have been visitors to you and now you need to integrate them and allow them to gently guide the changes that will ripple out from your quest.
Keep your story inside for one year and watch it grow into your life – now is the time to incorporate what you have learned.
Your Guide
During this course you will be held by an experienced Vision Quest Guide and his support team.
James Stevenson
Vision Quest Guide
James’s passion is to help call forth our human potential and our soul. He embarked on his first Vision Quest in 2010 and underwent training with both David Wendleberry in the UK and the School of Lost Borders in California to become a vision Quest guide.
His weave brings together more than 24 years experience in techniques, practices and information from the cutting edge of Neuroscience, Tantra, Biodanza, Shamanic & Energy Work, Integral theory and Taoist practices to create a spirituality that is rooted in the body. His evolutionary approach is to work on all lines, levels, states and parts of ourselves in bringing forth our fullest potential. He has been dancing Biodanza since 2003 and now works as a teacher and a didactic teacher (qualified to teach other teachers in Biodanza Schools). www.jamesstevenson.life
What does it look like?
Before you arrive
Your journey starts as soon as you pay your deposit. You will be sent a 60 page guidebook, with instructions Now you must write 10 page autobiography of your life to send to the guides. In addition you will be asked to go on a medicine walk before the training starts.
At Base Camp
At basecap you will undergo basic training about the wilderness both inside and out for 3.5 days before the solo time begins. With the larger group you will be given an inner map called the Teachings of the 4 Shields that will help guide you on your quest, as well as “earth medicine” tools that you can use to work with your soul. Certain ceremonies will be performed and you will understand the significance of your actions.
The guides will also work with you individually helping to find clarity about your life story and to make sure you are prepared and safe.
On the land
Alone in Nature.
Aside from a tarp to keep you dry (not a tent!), a sleeping bag and carry mat – you are alone and exposed to nature. Without the distractions of the modern world you will quite quickly discover you are actually part of nature and will find a deeper way to commune with that.
Fasting
For 4 days you will be fasting from food. You can drink water and take this out with you. If you have diabetes or hypoglyciemia then we have ways to manage that. The fasting helps one connect to the “spirit world”, and creates an altered state where we are able to access deeper parts of the subconscious.
Write it all down
Everything that happens is significant, your psychology spills out of your head and pours into the objects and events surrounding you. Nature starts to mirror your unconsious mind and even if you don’t understand it all you write down what happens – it will become part of your story later on.
On your Return
After a good meal, showers and some celebration for actually doing it! You will have the chance to tell your story to the larger circle. The guides will mirror your story back to you in order to help understand what has happened and how to move forward to incorporate the medicine into your life.
On going home you will not tell your story to anyone outside of the group circle for 1 year. During this time it will still be working on you as you find a way to integrate the experience – Every 3 months of this year you will pass into a new direction and different phase of integration. Your guides and larger group will check-in together and offer each other support.
The Land
The Vision Quest itself happens in the wilderness of Rothiemurchus Forest in the Cairngorm area of Scotland. You will spend 4 days and nights here alone in nature.
In this area you could be visited by animals living in the forest: hares, foxes, deer, badgers, beavers, and even a lynx! You can also see many species of birds including the black stork. The temperature at this time of year should is more mild and pleasant but can still be cold at night and rain is always a possibility – we prepare for all weather types.
Base Camp
The days before and after the journey will be at Spent at Glenmore, beside the shores of a loch with access to all local shops and activities but directly adjacent to the borders of the forest.
During your actual quest time we move deeper into the wilderness and whilst you are questing, we will be in a location nearby – ready act if we were needed before your final return. This is called base-camp, and where you will start and return to, in your journey. The guides are stationed here during your time on the land and hold space while you are out there.
At Base-camp, you will have the choice of an inside bed in a dorm – or you can set up a tent on the land. There are hot showers and a communal space where we will cook, tell stories and get ready for your adventure!
Practical Information & Booking
THIS YEAR’S VISION QUEST IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – Contact us if you would like to be on the waiting list.
Dates: The training runs from the 24th June – 4th July 2024
Location: Rothiemurchus Forrest near Aviemore, Scotland
Training Cost: Earlybird price of just €1200, Normal price is €1400. LIMITED TO 12 ONLY PLACES.
This includes food & accommodation for 5 nights at basecamp and access to the land during the quest. The Preparation time before and integration time after the quest are held in a beautiful location on the banks of Loch Morlich near to where your actual quest will take place. The accommodation choices for this preparation time are camping in your own tent, or a bed in a room in a shared dorm room (same sex) or camping in your own tent. We will eat together for Breakfast and Dinner with plenty of cafe’s & Restaurants closeby for Lunch and time on your own.
A deposit of €500 is required to book/start your journey with the rest being payable in cash on arrival at basecamp.
Book Your Place
You can pay the full amount or just the deposit.
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