Lecture: Vision Questing
By Gordon Scott
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Presentation Description:
In today's world with our busy schedules, and constant distractions, where do we go to ponder our direction in life? How do we know who we are, what is right for us? Where does this puzzle piece that is myself fit into the rest of the world around me? Do we make time in our lives to sit in silence and just be? There is a simple tool used by all of our ancestors to do all of this, and more, and that is the Vision Quest.
Questing was a tool used by all indigenous people, as a sacred journey in order to better know one self, often as a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood, and during other times of transition during their lives. This tool is available to us now. A Quest provides the opportunity to seek clarity, and direction in our lives. It can help you distill meaning from all that surrounds you, both during the Quest, and after.
So what is a Vision Quest? There are many different traditions, superstitions, and expectations surrounding the idea of a Quest. Through Stalking Wolf's teachings, a Lipan Apache Elder,I have been taught a Quest that has been created from the distillation of many traditions, simplified down to its barest elements, so as to allow the experience of the individual Quester to be the focus.
A Vision Quest as I have been taught, is a four day experience, alone in the wilderness, fasting from food, but not water, and staying inside of an area that you create as your Quest circle, about 10 feet in diameter. I recommend that a person's first Quest be done with a Protector. A Protector is a person that helps with the logistics of the experience, and also provides some helpful tools to use during your personal, or spiritual
growth while Questing. An analogy that I love is one of a diver, diving off a 10 meter platform for the first time. With no guidance you will surly hit the water, but it might hurt, and you may not penetrate the water very deeply. Given just a bit of guidance, your entry will be much smoother, and your penetration into the water will be much deeper. You will be more satisfied with the results, and more likely to try it again.
The only prerequisite to Quest is a desire to do it.
Presenter's Biography:
Gordon Scott is a new member of the Southern Oregon Community, an ex Navy SEAL, now an instructor with Coyote Tracks, which is a wilderness awareness school for youth 7-17years old, and a Vision Quest Protector. Trained by Malcolm Ringwalt of Earth Heart, and Tom Brown Jr, of the Tracker Wilderness Survival School, in the tradition of the Vision Quest as taught by Stalking Wolf, a Lipan Apache Elder.
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Tuesday Evening Event Formats:
1) Video/Discussion Format:
60 Min Film
10 Min Break
50 Min Discussion
2) Lecture/Presentation Format:
90-120 Minute presentation including break and Q&A period.
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RVML's Vision Statement: Our ability to discern truth is enhanced by exposure to a broader perspective on the human experience. As we integrate new truths into our awareness, the expansion of knowledge in the collective mind advances the evolution of human consciousness.
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RENT RVML's LECTURE HALL: The 1,000 Sq.ft. presentation area is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible with full audio-visual capabilities available. Eighty folding chairs can be arranged in different configurations for meetings, lectures, and gatherings. -$15.00 per hour, 2 hour minimum.
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