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| The Awareness and Power programs of Windwalker, also known as Natural Shamanism, are based on the understanding that realization of our potential in body and spirit can be attained through a personal and individual connection with the natural world. These programs teach and practice integrated philosophy and techniques for learning, exploring, and working in the realm beyond the physical. They are grounded in the spirituality of native peoples of North America. In particular, we acknowledge and honour the lineage of Tom Brown Jr. and Stalking Wolf. |  |
THE VISION QUEST
Our story is always unfolding. From the beginning to the present, growth and change have been our allies and our challenge. Truth can always be found by those who are willing to face challenges and enter passages to heightened awareness of our relationship and power with all creation.
Historically, nature has been the primary place for human initiation. The Vision Quest is one of the ancient Rites of Passage of initiation into adulthood. In earlier times the Vision Quest was a normal part of the journey to adulthood, a natural step that was usually undertaken in the late teens. At any age from 17 years up to late adulthood, this is still a powerful passage.
Modern adults, many of whom have not been guided, recognized, and welcomed on their journey into manhood or womanhood, can find that a healthy initiation enables them to become complete men and women. The power of the Vision Quest is such that it can help bring us back to a good path even when we have not experienced Rites of Passage in our earlier years.
If you feel that you are at a crossroads in your life or if you have questions about the intent and purpose for your life, consider the Vision Quest.
The Vision Quest is a time of solitude in nature in which you seek inner revelation – vision – that will enhance the meaning and direction of your life. Under the guidance of a qualified Elder, supported throughout by experienced protectors, you go into nature to fast and pray. You give up physical comforts and the company of other two-leggeds while you pursue the discovery of intent and purpose.
Those who seek deeply will find ancient mysteries of self-transformation – mysteries of clarity, of self-reliance and faith, of dying and return, even amid times of chaos and devastation.
There is an element of perceived risk. Four days and nights alone in a natural place (solitude) and fasting (emptiness) and exposure to the elements (vulnerability), and self-reliance (self-trust), are essential elements of these ancient ways of learning. You will devote a good deal of time to watching yourself and your relationship to the earth and the rest of humanity. You will prepare your own circle, take responsibility for your own well-being, and experience a multitude of emotions and feelings as personal borders are stretched.
You will be invited to participate in a sweatlodge ceremony as an essential step in separation and return.
Guides:
Wes Gietz - Windwalker
Corinna Stevenson - Dragonfly
Minimum age: 19 years
Maximum number of participants: 8
Exchange: $950.00 +HST
There is no charge for ceremony. The monetary exchange is for instruction, teachings, and guidance before and after your time of solitude. It also covers the expenses of running this program such as food, land rental, supplies, and travel expenses. It is what enables us to continue to offer this program to those who are called to it.
We recognize that there may be people who are strongly guided to do the Vision Quest and are unable to meet the full amount of the monetary exchange. We invite you to contact us. We hold at least one space in each of these programs for individuals in this circumstance.
A note on gifting for ceremony: it is customary to offer a gift, above and beyond the monetary exchange for the program, that expresses your respect and gratitude for ceremony and guides.
If you are drawn to do a Vision Quest, please contact us well before the dates of the program you would like to attend. The preparatory work normally requires about two months, and it is often appropriate to begin preparing a year ahead of the separation.
TRAINING IN SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND POWER
Notes:
1. SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND POWER PROGRAMS ARE SCHEDULED ACCORDING TO NEED. We will come to wherever there are enough people ready for these teachings. Generally, a person who wishes to participate will organize these workshops and may also be the contact for registration.
2. The programs described below are two days, normally on a weekend. These programs are also offered in longer formats, up to ten days, according to the availability of participants.
3. Participants supply their own food unless otherwise indicated. We usually prepare the food and eat together; most of the time we share or trade as well, maybe cookies for carrots.
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND POWER, Level 1: THE JOURNEY INTO POWER
Expand your physical awareness, and use this expanded awareness to explore the transition from physical to spiritual awareness. Learn how modern science rediscovered what the ancients knew about brain waves and states of awareness. Learn the overview map of the spirit realm. Discover the richness of the spirit realm and create your own "good medicine place" there. Move into and communicate safely in the world of spirit. Learn the Shamanic Law of native healers.
Minimum age 19 years except by permission. Some are ready at a younger age.
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND POWER, Level 2: THE HEALER'S JOURNEY BEGINS
Using the energy of the realm beyond the physical for healing is a powerful way to share or give back of the gifts we receive.
Extend the detailed map of the spirit realm. Build landmarks in the nonphysical realm for healing, strength, traveling in spirit, and communicating with physical and nonphysical beings. Learn directly from the plant people. Practice these skills. Learn about types of energy and use energy for healing.
Maximum 25 participants. Prerequisite: Awareness 1.
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND POWER, Level 3: IMPROVING INNER VISION
Complete the map of the spirit realm. Continue to explore this realm; practice and improve inner vision; learn more ceremonies and tools for maintaining balance and bringing people together.
Maximum 25 participants. Prerequisite: Awareness 2.
Levels 4 and beyond
There are currently fourteen weekend workshops in the Awareness and Power series. All Awareness workshops are
THE BLUE HERON SOLO
Are you ready for your journey to authentic adulthood?
Are you looking for who you are? — But not feeling drawn to the full Vision Quest?
Are you looking for a way to acknowledge and celebrate your own adulthood? Many adults who have not been appropriately guided and recognized on their own journey need a watershed experience in order to become complete men and women.
You will learn how strong you really are, in the context of the natural world. You will deal with the physical and emotional challenges of 24 hours of solitude and fasting in the company of nature, while exploring who you are. This period of solitude will be a rite of passage toward authentic adulthood, where you seek to remember your essential nature.
You will be supported throughout by elders and guides, who will keep a vigil at a ceremonial fire during your entire period of solitude.
Preparation for your solo begins the moment you make the decision. Pay attention to things that seem to be getting in the way, especially all the reasonable reasons for not going.
Is it time for your children?
Are your children ready to become adolescents or adults? Do you desire to provide for them an opportunity to prove and accept their readiness for their next stage of life? Young people, as they make the journey from childhood through adolescence into adulthood, need recognition and support of their maturing from a community of healthy adults.The Blue Heron program, for young people from 13 to 18 (we will consider younger ones as well), will celebrate their transition into adolescence or young adulthood with welcoming and acknowledgment. We ask that an adult important to the young person accompany them to the last two nights of this program. Others, such as siblings or extended family, are also very much welcome. You will participate in supporting and honouring the young people, and in doing so you will also experience your own growth and transition. If it is not possible for someone to accompany the young person, we will ask you to send a gift to be given to the young person on his or her return. This may be a letter, a poem, a remembrance, or something physical, as you are guided.
The adult program is four days in length; the youth program is five days.
Please contact us at least two months before the dates of the Blue Heron program you would like to attend. There is some preparatory work to be done.
Do you have a group ready to do a 24-hour Solo?
The Intentional Solo may be offered as a scheduled event, or you may choose to contact us to organize and facilitate an Intentional Solo Program for your group or community.The program includes a time of preparation and fun, with appropriate ceremony and the building of a supportive community of peers, caring elders, and facilitators.
Contact Windwalker (email wgietz@windwalker.ca) to discuss this.
As they make the journey from childhood through adolescence into adulthood, boys and girls need recognition and support from a community of healthy adults. Many adults too, who have not been appropriately guided and recognized on their own journey, need a watershed experience in order to become complete men and women.
The Blue Heron Solo is a one-night solo for youth and adults who have never experienced this rite of passage. The emphasis of the Blue Heron program is on learning to deal with the physical and emotional demands of 24 hours of solitude and fasting in nature, while seeking vision and purpose. You learn profound truths about who you are in the context of the natural world and in the presence of her children.
Please contact me at least two months before the dates of the Blue Heron program you would like to attend.
