The Gifts of Nature
By Keith Varnum
The people in the Land of the Eagle (North America) don’t have to know any more. They have more than enough books. They have the knowledge. Now they simply have to live what they know. You have all the information. You know it all. You are very mature people. You are ready to fly. The only problem is that the knowledge is all in your minds. It has to be transferred to your hearts.
– Don Alberto Tatzo, Yachag
Throughout history people have gone into Nature seeking profound spiritual revelations, dramatic physical healings and liberating emotional breakthroughs.
Why Do People Look to Nature?
Because the dynamics of Nature naturally break you out of habitual mental ruts to generate fresh, imaginative approaches and make new, inspired life choices.
In the quiet, empty, ageless spaces of remote spaces, many people get clearer answers to their spiritual or practical questions than through traditional, sitting meditation.
For thousands of years, people have used the vision quest as an active, moving meditation through which the soul gives guidance using the mirror of the external, physical world.
What Rite is Right for You?
The quest can act as a rite of passage marking an important transition or time in a person’s life. It can also act as a rite of renewal, of soul healing or rebirth, or of strengthening understanding and connection to Self and to the Earth. In addition, the quest can be a rite of dedication or celebration of life purpose and passion.
There are as many different types of quests—from rigorous to gentle, in settings from mountain peaks to deep canyons—as there are visions. They all explore the alchemical, transformative power of Nature.
Cool, shaded paths along lush, rushing streams are very relaxing and conducive to receiving the helpful messages from our souls delivered by birds, animals and stones.
Plants advise you.
Rocks give strength.
High on towering cliffs eagles speak, the wind caresses, and you taste new realizations.
You drink from the well of the deep blue of the sky.
You listen. You heal. You transform.
People experience the quest as an ever-changing river, bubbling past obstacles, washing away what is no longer needed, carving out new niches, flowing into expanded territory and providing life-enhancing energy.
The Gifts of Nature
Returning from the quest is a time of great exuberance and joy, celebrating the healing and wholeness that each person has found. People re-enter their lives, bringing their unique, re-discovered gifts and opened hearts back to family, friends, community and work.
On the vision quest, people create breakthroughs in abundance, health, jobs and discovering life purpose.
Keith Varnum leads inspiring Nature Adventure Vision Quests in Sedona. See Sedona Vision Quests and Native Traditions of Sedona