Vision Quest Hamblecheya
Which in the Lakota language means "crying for a vision".
The Vision Quest is an act of humility and surrender in a state of inner silence. The seeker awakens the powers of his Self, accesses his inner strength and the vision he is seeking with the guidance that comes from the Great Mystery.
Ever since the native peoples were placed upon Mother Earth, the Vision Quest has been an important part of their spiritual practices to achieve ultimate connection with the creator by spending four days in solitude and isolation on top of a mountain. During the Vision Quest, refraining from eating or drinking water during these four days is essential for obtaining the vision. In some cases, sleep deprivation can bring connection to all natural elements, be it rain, sun, snow or wind.
It is important that at some point in our lives we take time to be more deeply and silently connected with ourselves, with the forces of nature and surrendered to the great mystery of life; it is important that we “cry” for insight, guidance, healing, help towards a greater understanding of life and the sacred bond that unites all beings to strengthen one's spirit and sacred purpose.
The Vision Quest is an opportunity to pray and give thanks for life and, somehow, to be able to bring order, balance and better perspective to it.
For four days and four nights, the vision seeker stands on top of the mountain, surrendering to the Creator, mother Earth and the elements of nature, the origin and sustenance of life in trust, faith, humility and reverence to ask for vision. If the vision seeker is attentive, the Creator's message will come. Sometimes these messages come in the form of an animal, stone, wind, rain or other apparitions such as clouds. Only through observance can one see and hear the Creator's messages and instructions. No sign is to be despised, for the Creator speaks through all things.
Similar to the Sun Dance, the Vision Quest has a camp to give spiritual support to the questers during the period of isolation. This camp is active in ceremonies such as the inipi
A vision seeker will be given instructions before being placed on the mountain and commits himself to respect and follow the protocol of the ceremony.
This ancestral ceremony offers a transformative and deep life changing experience.
Conducted by Adriana Ocelot and Vernon Foster (Wakia Um Manee) with the support of those that have completed their commitment to the mountain and have chosen to assist those that are new comers and to continue deepening their own spiritual path.
For one who feels the calling to walk the Red road, become a pipe carrier and a Sundancer, , going to the mountain in Vision Quest four times is essential.
To be a Vision Quester YOU NEED:
Dedication and commitment;
Respond to a call and follow a spiritual purpose;
Follow the protocol of the ceremony;
Follow the preparation guidelines;
Participate in setting up the camp.
SUPPORT GROUP:
Those who stay at the camp as a support group are essential, playing a very important role in maintaining the sacred space that holds the ceremony together. . Spiritual support is vital for the seeker as during this period emotions reach their peak for a human being. Those who support the camp must always act with reverence, keeping the camp and themselves in a continuous state of vigilance. Support is a service, an offering to those on the mountain in Vision Quest.
During the four days, we are in a community fulfilling the tasks of all that is needed to sustain the ceremony.
Supporters are essential to those that are going to the mountain; the ones that are in the camp have always played an important role. Spiritual support isvital to the seeker, for the vision questers this time is a time when emotions are at its highest level for a human being. So those maintaining the camp haveto also hold a high state of reverence. This is done by continuing to keep the camp and campers in a position of awareness. Social activities are kept to minimal outside of ceremony, so there is a camper’s protocol and responsibility that is followed. Everyone is responsible for their own actions and how they conduct themselves. When it comesto the physical condition and the running of the camp it takeseveryone to be involved, this leads to sharing all tasks, no matter how small or big a task may be.
The Sacred Fire.
One of the most important elements of the ceremony is the sacred fire. In most tribal groups there was always a person assigned as a fire keeper. Like any other ceremonial teaching this person was taught how to maintain and work with the fire. To work with the sacred fire had to be done with a ceremonial attitude. There was a spiritual protocol to befollowed. if a person followed this protocol he could become a great teacher and one that learns about themself. Oftentimes people seek to warm themselves by a fire. A sacred fire was not used for this purpose, the supporters would often build a small fire in addition to warming themselves, but also keeping with the reverence as the sacred fire for they are both relatives to each other.
