August 8 - 14, 2010
with Karen Rempel and Munro Sickafoose
$800 - 1200 sliding scale ~ Deposit: $200
Location: The Monkey Valley Retreat Centre
located in the wilderness near Merritt in British Columbia, Canada.
A teenager is about to be released from a minimum-security youth prison, and has a chance to make a new start. A stay-at-home mom contemplates returning to the work force now that all her children are in school, but is unsure about whether she is ready. A business executive in upper management feels dissatisfied despite prestige and financial success, and wonders whether some other work would be more fulfilling. What do these three people have in common? They are each at a time of potential transition, and wonder what direction to go in.
The vision fast is a cross-cultural ceremony that brings guidance and healing through solo time in wild nature. This journey is a very personal one, and its meaning will be unique to you. Traditionally, the vision fast is a rite of passage that marks an important transition in your life, such as the passage into adulthood. The vision fast can be used for contemplation and celebration of life at any time of change, including puberty, marriage, divorce, career change, meeting life goals and milestones (something we often don’t take the time to celebrate and acknowledge in a meaningful way), loss of a loved one, retirement, illness, and preparation for death.
Today, precious time alone in wild nature is rare, and you might wish to take this time for contemplation or to renew your connection to yourself, to the earth, and to the sacred dimension in your life. Or perhaps there is an area of your life that you want to spend some time healing, such as a distressing event or a relationship. Or maybe you are aware of an inner quality of yourself that you wish to cultivate and invite to participate more fully in your life. What longing in your heart is calling you to undertake this journey?
Your Guides
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Karen Rempel is the director of Monkey Valley Retreat Centre. She leads retreats at the centre, and also apprentices on vision fasts in Colorado and California. She holds a master’s degree in ecopsychology from Naropa University, and trained as a vision fast guide at the School of Lost Borders. She has studied the medicine wheel since 2003 and has been a student of the Diamond Approach for 11 years. She is a member of the Wilderness Guides Council.
Munro Sickafoose is a vision quest guide, an initiated man, whitewater river guide, and ceremonial leader. He has been deeply involved with indigenous earth–based ceremonies for many years. He trained as a vision quest guide at the School of Lost Borders, and has been leading groups and individuals in the wild since 1996. He has also trained at the Ojai Foundation as a facilitator in the Way of Council. He is currently Netkeeper of the Wilderness Guides Council., and is working towards a Masters of Divinity degree.The Details
The week-long vision fast ceremony begins with two days of preparations and clarifying intentions. Then participants fast alone in the wilderness for three days and nights, following the ancient practice of going without food, human companionship, and built shelter. (To adapt this ceremony to modern questers in a mountain climate, fasters use a tarp and sleeping bag for shelter.) The final two days are spent beginning to tell your story, integrating your solo time, and preparing to reincorporate into your life at home.
When: Sunday August 8th – Sunday afternoon, August 15th, 2010.
Where: The Monkey Valley Retreat Centre is located in the wilderness near Merritt in British Columbia, Canada. Details and meeting times will be provided after registration. US participants will need their passports.
What you need to provide: Personal camping gear; share in carpooling costs/vehicles. Ability to carry your personal camping gear to your fasting site. No prior camping experience needed. Equipment list will be provided after registration.
Fees: $800 - 1200 Sliding scale (Payment plans and some financial aid available on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis)
To Register: http://www.bcwildernessvisions.com/fees/
Major Credit Cards accepted via Paypal.
Please contact Karen or Munro for more details or consultation.