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Vision Quests are used by men and women for:

All cultures have stories of heroes leaving home and journeying out into the unknown where they undergo some form of cataclysmic test before returning home, transformed. Rama spent 14 years in the wilderness fighting demons before he could become king; As a madman Merlin spent time brooding by a sacred fountain deep in the forest before he could become the enchanter that we know; Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights praying and fasting in the desert, resisting the temptations of Satan and preparing himself for the mission the Father had sent him to accomplish; and Moses and the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert purifying and preparing themselves before entering into the Promised Land.

Mythological stories map out our collective psyche and the story of the Hero's quest, which is the story of our life's journey, is one that spans the entire map. It's a journey of courage and daring, resilience and strength. There are many tests and ordeals that the hero encounters in order to reach his/her goal and here are where the Vision Quests play their part. As a rite-of-passage Vision Quests provide the key element (a truth, some insight, wisdom, or clarity) that will help the hero on the next leg of the journey. Without this the hero will fail to move forward.

Blue Mountains Vision Quest Programs are inspired by the practices of indigenous cultures in Australia and around the world, however our programs are not imitations of the traditional vision quests, they are quests designed for contemporary Western people with or without religious or spiritual beliefs. The Quests are a journey within oneself, to find the truths that are our own and the powers that can heal, liberate, and assist us in living true. The BM Vision Quest Programs are influenced by indigenous cultures but also incorporate the self-development tools of post-Jungian Transpersonal Psychology and Ecopsychology. The entire Vision Quest experience is an initiation and progression of descent into the chthonic depths of the psyche to find vision, healing and transformation by uncovering and connecting with soul. Through exploring the soul of the landscape we can reveal the landscapes of the soul. By exploring the truth of nature we can uncover the nature of truth.

Blue Mountains Vision Quests facilitate life passages and self-discovery by temporarily displacing everyday consciousness through three primary means:

1. Immersing ourselves in and experiencing and expanding our awareness of nature.
2. Experiencing solitude and fasting for one day and two nights (5 Day Quest) or three days and nights (10 Day Quest)
3. Developing a set of practices that will support the physical, mental and emotional immersion into the mysteries of nature and the psyche. These practices will include, but not be limited to, ceremonial drumming and dancing, shadow work (including dream work and symbol work), and meditation.

All our Vision Quests consist of three phases. The first phase is that of DEPARTURE, the time that is needed to leave the world of the familiar - home, family, friends and all the modern cons - and venture off into the unfamiliar, that which is as yet unknown. Beyond the borders of culture and society are the wild landscapes that stretch beyond the horizon. In the first few days of the Quest, on the edge of the wild, we will perform ceremonies and work with dreams and symbols, nature and movement, stillness and meditation. We will then leave base camp and move off into the wilderness, walking with backpacks where we will set up camp and complete preparations for the second phase of initiation.

The INITIATION phase is a time of solitude and fasting. Supported by the guides you will choose your own place in the wilderness and be alone there for these days. This is the crucial period of limbo between leaving one state and joining the next. It is here 'in limbo' where we seek for vision, healing and transformation. It is a time of letting go of everything we know and emptying ourselves. When we finally have nothing left to protect us only then will nature reveal itself and speak to us.

"The heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god. And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world." - Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

The third phase is the RETURN. Which brings us slowly out of the wilderness and back into society. We will spend the rest of the days back at base integrating what you learned on your fast and preparing you for the return back into society.

No previous backpacking experience is required, however you must be able to carry a 15 to 20kg pack for a few kilometres for an hour or so on the days going into and coming out of the wilderness location. On registration you will be sent more information on gear, safety, preparation and other details for the Vision Quest Program.

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FIVE DAY PROGRAM
Location: Blue Mountains Wollemi Wilderness
Guides: Gary
Dates: 26th September to 1st October, 2008
Duration: 5 days 5 nights, arrive Friday 26th by 7pm, depart Wednesday 1st at 4.00pm
Accommodation: Lodge and camping
Access: With average fitness short easy to medium grade hiking, beginners most welcome.
Cost: $850

TEN DAY PROGRAM
Location: Blue Mountains Wollemi Wilderness
Guides: Gary, Yeshi
Dates: 27th December 2008 to 6th January, 2009
Duration: 10 days 10 nights, arrive Saturday 27th by 5pm, depart Tuesday 6th at 4.00pm
Accommodation: Lodge and camping
Access: With average fitness short easy to medium grade hiking, beginners most welcome.
Cost: $1,600

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