Humans have long been deeply moved by a still expanse of water, a deep forest, a mountain peak. Nature is where we find ourselves and our connection to spirituality.
Yet most of us today live in cities and spend far less time outside in green, natural spaces than people did several generations ago.
City dwellers have a higher risk for anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses than people living outside urban centers, studies show. (Source: New York Times, July 2015)
There is a significant body of evidence describing how green spaces help to better health and education, urban regeneration and crime reduction; and the potential savings that this has for the public budget. (Source: The Guardian, March 2013) Serious evidence supports the claim that nature should be at the heart of economic and social policy making.
This Healing Power of Nature includes: REMOVAL of FEAR
F.E.A.R. = False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.
The six stages to think about when planning your own vision quest or nature retreat are:
If you can’t get to somewhere completely in nature, alternative quests might be: a day of silence, a garden quest, an indoor quest (make a sacred space first) and make sure you will not be disturbed, a pilgrimage to a sacred site, a place of remembrance or an ancestral site.
See Denise Linn’s book Quest – Journeying to The Centre of Your Soul for more information.
Credits: Amy Garner
Yet most of us today live in cities and spend far less time outside in green, natural spaces than people did several generations ago.
City dwellers have a higher risk for anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses than people living outside urban centers, studies show. (Source: New York Times, July 2015)
There is a significant body of evidence describing how green spaces help to better health and education, urban regeneration and crime reduction; and the potential savings that this has for the public budget. (Source: The Guardian, March 2013) Serious evidence supports the claim that nature should be at the heart of economic and social policy making.
This Healing Power of Nature includes: REMOVAL of FEAR
F.E.A.R. = False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.
How to create your own Vision Quest
The six stages to think about when planning your own vision quest or nature retreat are:
- Purpose – why are you doing it?
- Preparation – what do you need? How will you get there? Who will be your emergency contact? How will you stay safe (i.e. check the weather forecast and don’t camp somewhere too isolated or extreme). Who will know where you are and know when to expect you back?
- Leaving the world behind – What can you leave at home or switch off?
- Life evaluation – Reflection while on your quest, whether that be a day or a week.
- Being open for a vision – Try not to have too many expectations but trust you will receive whatever messages that are right for you at this time.
- Returning home – A re-adjustment period.
If you can’t get to somewhere completely in nature, alternative quests might be: a day of silence, a garden quest, an indoor quest (make a sacred space first) and make sure you will not be disturbed, a pilgrimage to a sacred site, a place of remembrance or an ancestral site.
See Denise Linn’s book Quest – Journeying to The Centre of Your Soul for more information.
Credits: Amy Garner
