The Native Americans sought mystical experiences by going on what is called a Vision Quest.....It was believed that no-one could succeed in life without a personal vision...........
Does anyone on the forums use this technique of fasting for personal vision?. As it would seem to me, a very direct way to connect to Spirit without using hallucinogenics.
i have used fasting for vision.....just as little as one day can really clarify the mind and body when its released from the burden of digestion....or in alot of cases in-digestion;).....ive also used plant helpers, hallucigen is not a term i agree with.
Fasting is a very effective technique and is used in many cultures. However, you obviously have to be careful when doing this. On the odd occasion that I use this technique, I normally fast for three to seven days but during this time I drink plenty of water and I plan time off work so that I'm not doing anything to use up too much energy after day two and obviously I'm somewhere safe in case I pass out.
I don't fast for my vision quests and have still found them very effective, I guess the trick is to find they way that is best for you. Bannick fasts for upto 7 days before his, but if you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing this, don't worry, I think with vision quests its all about intention.
The Native Americans sought mystical experiences by going on what is called a Vision Quest.....It was believed that no-one could succeed in life without a personal vision...........
Does anyone on the forums use this technique of fasting for personal vision?. As it would seem to me, a very direct way to connect to Spirit without using hallucinogenics.
Oakapple - Yes I use Vision Quests.
ecoshaman
Thanks everyone for your views on fasting.......
I have received some good contact details, so will give it a try!!.......under supervision of course.
Hi All
I have found this thread really interesting as feel quite drawn to vision questing but have never done one as yet. I can understand how fasting for a short period of time may help to clarify the mind etc but Bannick mentioned fasting for a longer period and even mentioned the possibility of passing out! I found this a bit surprising to be honest - why would you do this?
Hi All
I have found this thread really interesting as feel quite drawn to vision questing but have never done one as yet. I can understand how fasting for a short period of time may help to clarify the mind etc but Bannick mentioned fasting for a longer period and even mentioned the possibility of passing out! I found this a bit surprising to be honest - why would you do this?
fasting takes you closer to the spirit plane......obviously if you take it too far you enter it completly, one could use something like honey to stop your blood sugar getting to low.
fasting takes you closer to the spirit plane......obviously if you take it too far you enter it completly, one could use something like honey to stop your blood sugar getting to low.
At the risk of sounding like my mother, this sounds a bit dangerous to me. Are there safer ways of bringing yourself closer to the spirit plane - and what exactly does it mean? Is it something similar to a deeply meditative state, or are we talking about something entirely different?
I am probably sounding a bit confrontational here, but I really don't mean to be - I'm genuinely curious. I just wonder why you might want to starve yourself to the extent that you nearly pass out - surely at that point you would be just hallucinating?
If you don't fast to this exent, would you consider that your vision quest has not been done properly?
At the risk of sounding like my mother, this sounds a bit dangerous to me. Are there safer ways of bringing yourself closer to the spirit plane - and what exactly does it mean? Is it something similar to a deeply meditative state, or are we talking about something entirely different?
I am probably sounding a bit confrontational here, but I really don't mean to be - I'm genuinely curious. I just wonder why you might want to starve yourself to the extent that you nearly pass out - surely at that point you would be just hallucinating?
If you don't fast to this exent, would you consider that your vision quest has not been done properly?
when you are neither eating or drinking for any length of time you are not really of this world...thus you are 'walking between the worlds' this world and the spirit world. Hallucinating is a modern term of the 'sheep' mentality used to dismiss an experience thats outside the group mentality......if you have experienced something personally then for you it is 'real'.....just dont expect others to share your reality, which in truth is entirly subjective anyway.....oh, and no such thing as a 'proper' vision quest, what is needed most is INTENT and your vision will vary in strength and intensity in accordance with your COMITTMENT and sincerity. A long vision quest would be closer to a NDE [near death experience] than a 'meditative state' and yes of course their are risks if one induces the former. Vision quests as with anything the law of reprocity states you get out what you put in....and i dont mean money.
At the risk of sounding like my mother,
The times I find myself saying that as I get older 😀
If you don't fast to this exent, would you consider that your vision quest has not been done properly?
Absolutely. I don't fast at all as it wouldn't suit me health wise. However I can go into a deep trance at will so nor do I consider fasting necessary for me personally. Walking between the worlds was a skill I was taught by my Guide.
Find a method that suits you personally 🙂
I realize that the vision quest experience has been used by many cultures through history, with many variations.
However, I would like to comment what I have been taught in the Lakota tradition, which includes knowledge gained from a personal experience at a place called Bear Butte in South Dakota many years ago.
In the Lakota language, the vision quest is called Hanbleceyapi or literally, "crying for a vision".
The first thing to be aware of is that it is never done alone. It is traditionally done with the guidance and supervision of a knowledgeable, experienced and respected Wicasa Wakan or "Holy Man", sometimes also called a Wakan Iyeska or "Spiritual Interpreter". There is usually a handful of friends or family members who act as helpers as well.
Traditionally, preparation can take up to a year, though there are exceptions.
Concerning the fasting aspect, I can say that the fasting is a way of focusing prayers. Without the distraction of eating, digesting and elimination, or sleeping, one can more easily focus on prayers for the four days and four nights. Fasting also is an expression of ones dedication, commitment, sincerity and humility.
In the way I was taught, the fasting takes 12 days. Four days of preparation, slowly decreasing ones food and water intake; four days of complete fasting with no food or water; and four days of slowly increasing the amount of food and water.
There is much more to the experience, but maybe this will give you some insights.
Hope it helps.
Hi Historian...
Whilst on your Quest, how important is it to contact your ancestors and dearly departed loved oned....
Also, are you given shelter or comforts of any sorts such as blankets or a change of clothing when undertaking this challenge or are you expected to make your own shelter and light fires for warmth using traditional methods.
Hi Historian...
Whilst on your Quest, how important is it to contact your ancestors and dearly departed loved oned....
Also, are you given shelter or comforts of any sorts such as blankets or a change of clothing when undertaking this challenge or are you expected to make your own shelter and light fires for warmth using traditional methods.
Good questions.
In the Lakota tradition, contact with the spirits of ancestors is not sought. Instead, the person prays to the spirits in the 6 directions, (west, north, east, south, above and below), which are the collectively that which is Wakan Tanka, the Great Sacred Mystery.
As far as shelter is concerned, in the Lakota hanbleceya (hanble meaning 'vison' or 'dream'; ceya meaning 'to cry'), the person being put up on the hill takes with them only a sacred prayer pipe filled with a red willow bark and tobacco mixture called cansasa, and a morning star quilt (see my avatar). The seeker is completely naked, with only the star quilt to cover them from the sun during the day, and to keep them warm at night. In the buffalo days a buffalo robe would have been used instead of a star quilt.
The Holy Man puts the seeker in about a 10 foot by 10 foot sacred space called a hocoka. They must not move outside of that sacred space until the Holy Man releases them. They do not build a fire or take part in any activity other than to pray, watch and listen.