AndyFisher

 

 

 

 

Why go on a wilderness vision fast? Lots of reasons.

 

The revival of vision fasting and wilderness rites currently underway among Western (non-Native) seekers is driven by an ancient understanding of human nature. Spending solitary time in the wilds at times of transition, healing, and spiritual questing is a deep and universal human practice. Vision fasting supports our continual transformation as human beings, allowing us to shed old skins, renew ourselves, and enlarge our vision for ourselves and the world. It is based on a deep faith in the regenerative forces inherent in all life. Through conscious effort we clarify the purpose of our lives and the communities that we are called to serve, so that our existence remains vital and meaningful. If the spirit isn’t renewed, it dies. Vision fasting is about being truly alive.

 

It has been said that in this life we have two “walks.” The first is our survival walk. Our survival walk consists of all the ways we keep our bodies going, put a roof over our heads, or find some worldly success. Our sacred walk, by contrast, is animated by a deeper yearning. This walk operates on a soul level; it is the walk that feels authentic, real, worthy, true, deep. It takes courage and heart to walk this path, especially in these disoriented times. In many ways, our culture does not want us to have a sacred walk. It would rather distract us in a thousand directions and keeping us from knowing our deep selves and the depths of the world. In supporting people in taking their sacred walk, vision fasting is thus a radical activity. It teaches us to listen not to the voice of the billboard, nor just to the voices (often well-meaning) of family and friends, but rather to the voice of nature, to the voice of spirit. It brings us symbols, images, experiences, and visionary encounters that bring focus to our existence, helping us to choose carefully where we put our energies. As an exercises in sacred walking, vision fasting is not about making our lives easier; it’s about committing to the life that is really ours.

 

In addition to these archetypal reasons for undertaking a vision fast, we like to highlight various aspects of the fast, each of which can be a meaningful experience in its own right.

 

First of all, although the vision fast itself is a solo experience, the entire outing is a group experience. You will be sitting in a circle (a council) with others. Your fellow fasters will serve many roles: wise elders, mirrors for your own journey, and a kind of micro-society that you participate in, practicing the art and discipline of being human with others. You will pray for one another, gift one another, and practice speaking and listening from your hearts. For many, this is a precious experience in itself. 

 

The vision fast resists being a purely individual experience in another sense. People have traditionally gone on wilderness fasts seeking vision not simply for themselves but for their people. A purely self-serving vision is no vision at all. In other words, we all need a sense of purpose in life that is of benefit to the world as well. This need not be grand; in fact, it rarely is. But it does need to be there. Coming to understand how one’s own soul work and spiritual renewal benefits others can be an illuminating dimension of the vision fast.

 

Finally, the solo experience itself can be taken up in a number of ways. We like to offer it as a rite of passage, an opportunity to mark an ending and a new beginning, to sever from an old self and claim a new one. This is the work of personal metamorphosis that has traditionally defined vision fasting. Some people may, however, want to treat their solo as a simple listening retreat. This involves withdrawing from the noisy everyday world and finding a place of silence in the wilderness, where we can hear our inner voice. Of course, a vision fast can be both a rite of passage and a listening retreat. It may also simply be a time of appreciating the beauty and power of nature. Moreover, the experience of fasting may in itself be a moving exercise due to the emotional issues related to food that it brings up. We encourage you to find meaning in the ritual wherever it may lie.

 

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 At Northern Rites we offer two versions of the wilderness vision fast, both based from our small homestead in Eastern Ontario, with the solo being held nearby at Stillwaters Wilderness Retreat. (The posters for both of them can be downloaded at the bottom of this page). The first is a short-form fast that we lead each spring (late April). This version involves two group meetings prior to the fast and then a full weekend in the field, with an eight hour solo taking place on the Saturday. Despite its condensed format, this version of the vision fast retains much of the power of the full-length quest (to which it can also serve as a warm-up).

 

We offer the full-length version of the vision fast each September, as summer turns to autumn. This involves a total of ten days in the field, the heart of the experience being a three day wilderness solo. We correspond with you in the months prior to meeting in the field, helping to make sure that you are suitably prepared and have a well-honed intention for your fasting time.

 

With both versions of the vision fast, we keep the group size small (max. eight) so that we can attend well to each individual and create an intimate, meaningful experience for all. As guides, we draw on our rich backgrounds as scholars and therapists. Andy is a leading theorist in the new field of ecopsychology, having authored the book Radical Ecopsychology, among other writings. He is a “Jack-of-all trades” psychotherapist, in private practice since 2000. Jill has advanced training as a yoga teacher and therapist, and is the co-founder of The Yoga Connection in Perth, a thriving yoga cooperative. They are both members of the Wilderness Guides Council. To go on a vision fast with Jill and Andy is to enter a compassionate environment filled with wilderness ritual, yoga practice, poetry, and dream work.