Vision Quest

Vision Quest Earth Literacy Experience

June 5 - 13, 2010 & August 7 - 15, 2010

Why would anyone willingly put themselves into the middle of a mountain wilderness, alone with a minimum of shelter and no food for three days and nights? For as far back as we can imagine human beings have sought out just such circumstances, often in times of transition, to seek guidance, inspiration, and a deeper connection with the sacred.

Almost every culture on Earth has traditions involving initiations or rites in the natural world: the Walkabouts of the Australian Aborigines, the quest of the Native Americans, the Himalayans cave for the yogi. Jesus, the Buddha as well as Mohammad, all made their pilgrimages into the wilderness.

The Vision Quest at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center returns you to Earth as the original source and teacher. This can be one of the most powerful, life changing experiences a person could ever have. The first two days will provide safety and basic survival training, and introduce you to rituals and experiences that distance you from habits and routines of the busy world and open you to your deeper self.

Following the preparation phase, you will be taken to a mountain wilderness area for three days and nights of silence, solitude, and fasting. Narrow Ridge guides will be located at a base camp in the wilderness area in order to be available in case of an emergency. After returning from the fast, participants will be provided the opportunity to share their stories with one another and the Narrow Ridge support community. This will be a time of celebration and reflection, a time to talk about the future and prepare to take on the tasks of everyday life again. Included in this celebration will be a sweat lodge ceremony.

Accomodations

Before and after the mountain fast, participants will live at the Strawbale Lodge, one of the “greenest” lodges in the United States with flushless composting toilets, passive solar design, AC and DC solar electricity, an on-demand hot water heater, and straw bale construction.

Wonderful vegetarian meals are served with some produce provided by local organic gardens.

Enrollment

Previous camping experience is not necessary. Participants will need to be able to carry a full back pack two miles over rugged terrain. A deposit of $50.00 is required with the registration form, which is non-refundable within one month of the event. Enrollment is limited to eight people. After the deposit is received, information will be mailed regarding advance preparation, what to bring, etc, as well as a copy of The Vision Quest Handbook. Early enrollment is strongly encouraged since you will need time to prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the quest.

Registration & fees

The cost for this event is $600.00. Couples from the same household receive a 10% discount. Private rooms are available for an additional charge of $50.00 depending on availability. Financial aid may be available in certain cases.

Printable Registration Form

To reserve your place,
contact
Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener

1936 Liberty Hill Road
Washburn, TN 37888
(865) 497-2753
or email
Community@NarrowRidge.org.

Testimonial

Earlier this summer, my wife, Ashley, and I found ourselves driving the windy road over Joppa and Clinch Mountain from Jefferson City to the Hogskin Valley and Narrow Ridge around lunchtime on the first Saturday of this year’s Vision Quest. There was a quiet in the car as we anticipated the next nine days of our life together. As an individual who has been around Narrow Ridge for the past 2 or 3 years, I have heard numerous stories of the Vision Quest and had the pleasure of encountering many questers who have come before me. I knew we would be fasting alone on Log Mountain for three days, I knew about the other aspects of the fast, and I had a sense of my purpose before the quest; I did not know how much of an impact the experience would have on my life, my marriage, and my other relationships.
It is beyond difficult to quantify the complete Vision Quest experience from my perspective. Many meaningful conversations were had and relationships formed over the course of those nine days. I compare it to a trip to a new country for the first time: I gain mind-blowing insights, I realize I am not alone in this world, and, upon return, it is difficult for me to reconcile what has just happened with my default selfish and materialistic lifestyle. The Quest, for me, was more than three days alone in the wilderness, time away from my fast-paced and distracting lifestyle. The Quest was a rite of passage for me into adulthood. It was me learning to stand-up and accept my responsibility to this world and every being herein. It was learning to trust my partner with my passions and vision for both my life and our life together. I am reminded of an analogy I heard recently: Before the quest, my life was like a ship at harbor, safe and peaceful, but this is not what ships were meant for. Ships were meant to sail, and so am I.

Mandela

Then the Spirit said:

“Let the fire of nature's chorus;

It's raging storms and mighty forests,

Its pounding seas and soaring peaks,

Its blazing skies and teeming reefs,

Burn human hearts with its splendor

And forge their souls in awe and wonder.”

Vincent Busch

Guides

Narrow Ridge Vision Quest guides are Bill Nickle and Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener.

Bill Nickle is the founder of Narrow Ridge and a 10 year vision quest guide.

Mitzi is Director of Narrow Ridge and has served as Vision Quest guide since 2006. She trained as a guide under Bill's mentoring and has received additional training through the School of Lost Borders (SLB). SLB pioneered non-Native American led vision quests in the United States .