MICHAEL’S VISION QUEST REFLECTIONS.

There are so many stories that may be revealed to us during a Vision Quest, and some will of course remain very personal and held within. And what conditions will mother nature provide for us? Will she be gentle and soft or is a storm called for to clear away anger and frustration?

The following are just a brief reference to my three personal Vision Quest experiences. Many of the insights that I treasure from my VQ’s will always remain personal but I’m happy to share an overview of my experiences.

The first was in 2009 on a friend’s property in central Queensland. It was a very large property and I chose a site high on an ancient rock ledge, overlooking a gorge, to set up my sacred place. My spiritual awakening had only just begun and I was looking for further guidance on my path. Given the location it wasn’t surprising that the spirits from that place came out to see what this strange chap was doing sitting for so long in one place. It was as if they were on one side of the gorge watching me sitting on the other. They crossed the gorge on my second night and filled the space with their presence. I felt at ease and welcomed as a visitor to their special place. The experience also reminded me of the joy in speaking my prayers out aloud for all to hear. After two nights I gathered my things and prepared to return to my friends house when a pack of dingos moved through the bottom of the gorge. I can still remember their howls echoing in the landscape. I am a Dingo, it’s my totem.

My second VQ was out in the desert about 100 kilometres south of Alice Springs. We are guided to divine our VQ site. We should allow ourselves to be ‘shown’ a special place rather than choose it from our heads. We should listen to our hearts, our inner voice. Well for my second VQ I ignored the latter and chose a place from my head. As soon as I finished setting up my medicine wheel I realised my mistake, but it was too late. Once we set up our wheel and step in, that’s it for the duration of our VQ.

So it was a challenging 6 days and a hard lesson, and almost punishment for not following my heart. Least to say I certainly took this message with me as I returned to my home. That VQ reminds me of where I have to operate from always, in order to be on the right path.

My last VQ was over three nights in the same location near Alice Springs . Fortunately, this time, I allowed myself to listen deeply and was therefore guided to a beautiful tree and surrounds.
The tree was home to a city of ants. I soon made peace with the ants so we could co exist in harmony. I would spend my days watching them rushing around on what looked like our city freeways. Back and forth they went, day in, day out. I was getting close to making a decision as to whether to leave my job or not back home. Well those ants helped me make the decision that felt right and I thanked them for their guidance.

So Vision Quests are unique to each individual. And that’s part of their beauty. When we sit in nature and remind ourselves that we are totally connected with all things, the answers to our questions may be revealed.

Both Simone and I have also had the privilege, in the past, of supporting others in their VQ journeys. We did this as part of our Shamanic Practice studies. We consider it an honour to support you and look forward to hearing your VQ story, if you wish to share it, before
we all return to our lives beyond the retreat.