Vision quests, also known as vision fasts or fasting, are defined as a supernatural experience in which an individual seeks to interact with the spirits to obtain advice or protection. Native cultures have their own names for this tradition, but “vision quest” is an English term that covers all names into one single category. They are seen as a rite of passage in many Native American cultures. A rite of passage is a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone 's life, especially birth, puberty, marriage, and death. This vision quest ceremony is one of the most universal and ancient means of finding one’s purpose in life through guidance of the sacred spirits. (Krown, “What is a Vision Quest and Why Do One?”). Vision quests usually
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Before anyone embarks on this quest, they must first visit a spiritual man in their tribe and then undergo purification through means of a sweat bath. The use of sage during this sweat bath purifies the individual. Then, they are ready to undergo the three to four day vision quest. They are then given a buffalo robe and are stripped of their clothing to expose themselves to nature, for vision quests are strongly associated with the Native American belief of Animism. This is the spiritual idea that the universe and all its natural objects have souls or spirits (Encyclopedia Britannica). It is important for the individual to isolate himself in in natural surroundings to escape the distractions experienced in everyday life. This allows them to spend more time appreciating the natural beauty of the area and contemplate on the small things in life because it clears the mind and lifts the spirits, allowing more room for focus on the quest. Fasting cleanses the body from toxins and releases you from the everyday life routine. It is said that when you fast, you are sacrificing yourself for your family and community by denying yourself the basic comforts of life - housing, daily nutrition, and companionship. Prayer and meditation goes hand in hand with the element of isolation. Spending time alone provides the individual with the opportunity to meditate and …show more content…
There have been some debates about the use of peyote during this journey, but nothing specifically on the vision quest itself. However, I did find information regarding a program called VisionQuest that sprung up some controversy in the 1990’s. This program was a privately run rehabilitation program for juvenile felons. On the VisionQuest website, they state, “Our history is rooted in American Indian culture. In American Indian traditions, the vision quest is a rite of passage that marks the transition from child to adulthood. VisionQuest has adopted many American Indian traditions over the years to help troubled teens and their families grow together.” In her article titled, “Putting VisionQuest in Focus: A Controversy Over Rehabilitation”, Beverly Beyette writes that VisionQuest was attacked for its profit-making incentives and questioned for their methods and effectiveness. They were also criticized for their connection with twelve accidental deaths of children in their program. CEO Bob Burton claims that he did not start the business to make money, but to effect change through mutual trust. The teens spend three to five months in a camp where they are introduced to the outdoors, similar to the original vision quest practiced by the Native Americans. RAND Corporations conducted a study in 1987 and found that there was a 10% decrease in rearrests for
Before anyone embarks on this quest, they must first visit a spiritual man in their tribe and then undergo purification through means of a sweat bath. The use of sage during this sweat bath purifies the individual. Then, they are ready to undergo the three to four day vision quest. They are then given a buffalo robe and are stripped of their clothing to expose themselves to nature, for vision quests are strongly associated with the Native American belief of Animism. This is the spiritual idea that the universe and all its natural objects have souls or spirits (Encyclopedia Britannica). It is important for the individual to isolate himself in in natural surroundings to escape the distractions experienced in everyday life. This allows them to spend more time appreciating the natural beauty of the area and contemplate on the small things in life because it clears the mind and lifts the spirits, allowing more room for focus on the quest. Fasting cleanses the body from toxins and releases you from the everyday life routine. It is said that when you fast, you are sacrificing yourself for your family and community by denying yourself the basic comforts of life - housing, daily nutrition, and companionship. Prayer and meditation goes hand in hand with the element of isolation. Spending time alone provides the individual with the opportunity to meditate and …show more content…
There have been some debates about the use of peyote during this journey, but nothing specifically on the vision quest itself. However, I did find information regarding a program called VisionQuest that sprung up some controversy in the 1990’s. This program was a privately run rehabilitation program for juvenile felons. On the VisionQuest website, they state, “Our history is rooted in American Indian culture. In American Indian traditions, the vision quest is a rite of passage that marks the transition from child to adulthood. VisionQuest has adopted many American Indian traditions over the years to help troubled teens and their families grow together.” In her article titled, “Putting VisionQuest in Focus: A Controversy Over Rehabilitation”, Beverly Beyette writes that VisionQuest was attacked for its profit-making incentives and questioned for their methods and effectiveness. They were also criticized for their connection with twelve accidental deaths of children in their program. CEO Bob Burton claims that he did not start the business to make money, but to effect change through mutual trust. The teens spend three to five months in a camp where they are introduced to the outdoors, similar to the original vision quest practiced by the Native Americans. RAND Corporations conducted a study in 1987 and found that there was a 10% decrease in rearrests for