Vision Quest, Life Changing Experience: a 24-Hour Meditation in Nature

“Vision quest? Never heard of it,” was my initial response when introduced to the idea. It's one of those obscure yet intriguing experiences—something unfamiliar that beckons you to explore. Hence, three months after learning about its existence, there I stood, armed with a backpack and sleeping bag, poised to embark on my very own vision quest. And let me tell you, it exceeded all expectations! What an extraordinary journey it turned out to be.

What does it entail? In essence, it's a 24-hour meditation, an immersion into nature, but in reality, it's a profound spiritual odyssey. Like any meditation, it starts with an intention. This time, the intent was to seek answers to life’s essential questions Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I coming from? Where am I going? in nature. In a nutshell, I ask the question and nature replies… Easy right? ;)

So what was the journey about?

My approach was clear from the beginning: not to think, just to observe what is, keep my mind as empty as possible and just focus what I was there for: find the answers. In a pure contemplative state. No thoughts. Lovely gymnastics of the mind… The minute the quest started, so did the meditation.

First, I had to look for my center, my home in the space, a place where it feels good to be. I found it quickly on a stream. The feeling around the stream was powerful, soothing and relaxing. It felt right.

The Tree of South: Unveiling Identity

Then came the exploration for the Tree of South, the 'Who am I?' question. Let me tell you something. It was painful! I had to choose a very steep path to find the tree. It was hard and quite slippery, almost like climbing. I tried to go further, but I started sliding away, returning to the initial tree I had found. A mushroom was at the root of the tree. Then I began looking in all directions. An attack of mosquitoes! Ouch! It was even more painful. I glanced around, rushed a bit. From the journey, I couldn't remember much of what I saw. The Tree of South seemed confused. 'Who I am?' was confused…. Lovely…

The Tree of North: Illuminating Purpose

My tree of north, addressing the 'Why am I here for?' question. I still vividly recall the feeling, even after three months following the experience (contrasting it with the Tree of South). It felt right. Serenity was the immediate word that surfaced in my mind. Gazing in all directions, I spotted a house and a mountain, reinforcing the sense of solidity, calmness, and rightness. Then, my eyes caught two white lights in the middle valley, one descending and the other moving from west to east. Following this, I noticed young trees and three pine trees resembling Jewish candlelights. The reason for my presence became crystal clear: spirituality. To create a new spirituality.

The Tree of West: Shedding the Past

My tree of west stood by the river—a fallen, lifeless trunk with the flowing river beneath. There, I noticed a spider. It marked the moment to shed the false layers of my past identity.

The Night in Nature

As fatigue began to set in, I searched for a place to sleep—a nice, open meadow offering a view of the night sky and mountain chains. I relished a deliberate meal, savoring a banana slowly, with each bite a reverential experience. Then, I lay down to watch 'TV'... I realized there were several 'programs' on offer. Channel One: 'Le Grand Bleu' (the blue sky, as it was still daytime). Channel Two: 'Fifty Shades of Green,' observing the dance of trees on the mountainside. Channel Three: 'Microcosmos.' After observing the tree dance, I turned my gaze to the sky, hoping to stay awake for the light show. However, I dozed off during the trailers, just before the sun set behind the mountains. I woke up intermittently throughout the night, opening an eye to catch glimpses of the Milky Way, the zodiac in the sky, and shooting stars. Yet, I found myself falling back asleep almost instantly.

The Tree of East: The Path Ahead

I woke up after sunrise, feeling refreshed from a great sleep, despite the hardness of the ground. It felt oddly good. Setting out on my final walk to locate the Tree of East, pondering 'Where am I going?' I initially headed north, then turned eastward, but soon felt lost along the path. It seemed improbable to find the Tree of East so far north of my center. Realizing this, I retraced my steps toward my home base, the center place. During the return, a thought struck me: 'Three steps away from your center.' With newfound determination, I concluded that this was where I would discover my Tree of East.

Arriving back at my center by the river, I positioned myself precisely in the middle. With deliberate intent, I took my first step, then the second. Despite momentarily losing balance and turning my second step into a half step, I resolved to make it count. Finally, the third step—a moment of anticipation for the appearance of my tree. Walking within the stream's center, devoid of trees, I scanned both sides. Nothing on the right. Yet, there it stood on the left—the Tree of East perched on the edge of the cliff….

'Where am I going?' It struck me with a sense of expansion, an urge I'd been feeling for weeks. A desire to explore more, learn more, and break free from the confines of my life. The Tree of East served as a reminder—to push beyond comfort zones, continually expand, and embrace the edge. To keep expanding.

Experience Beyond Words

Words fall short in capturing the depth of my communion with nature. As I reflect on this personal expedition, delving into these profound inquiries and awaiting nature's whispered replies continues to resonate deeply within me. It wasn't just a journey; it forged a profound reconnection with nature—a sensation of embracing the energy of the earth, our nurturing Mother. It was an understanding I'd never comprehended until I felt it—a sense of safety, despite the discomfort of sleeping on the ground. Witnessing the sheer beauty of existence made it an unforgettable experience.

In this sanctuary, I discovered not just solace but also answers.

Have you ever asked a question and nature answered?

To fully understand, experience it. Experience the beauty. Experience the magic. Experience life at its pure essence. Unforgettable. Free from the pollution of thoughts and the material world's trappings. Just you and nature. Watch.