Monkey Valley Retreat Centre

Vision Fast Retreats at Monkey Valley

2009 Dates

July 5 - 11 (fast for all ages, 16 - 86)  $800 - $1,200

September 13 - 19 (fast for business executives)  $2,500

“…by the time you step out of your purpose circle into the broad daylight, something has happened, whether you know it or not.”
Steven Foster and Meredith Little

The vision fast is a cross-cultural ceremony that brings guidance and healing through solo time in wild nature. This journey can be seen as having two functions: a rite of passage to mark an important transition in your life; and a rite of renewal to renew or strengthen your connection to yourself, to the earth, and to the sacred dimension in your life.

The vision fast can be used for inquiry 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.

This vision fast ceremony will begin with two days of preparations and clarifying intentions. Then participants will fast alone in the wilderness for three days and nights, following the ancient practice of going without food, human companionship, and shelter. (To adapt this ceremony to modern questers in a mountain climate, a tarp and sleeping bag are recommended for your safety in keeping warm.) The final two days will be spent beginning to tell your story, integrating your solo time, and preparing to reincorporate into your life at home.

The basic structure of this wilderness retreat draws on elements of rites of passage and renewal that stretch back to the beginnings of human consciousness: removing ourselves from our familiar worlds and going into the wilderness; using ceremony to deepen awareness and open our hearts; having time together in close community; having time alone; fasting; and returning with greater clarity and specific tasks.

Required reading: The Trail to the Sacred Mountain—A Vision Fast Handbook for Adults

To register, please fill in the online Registration Form. For payment information, see Fees.

Tags: BC vision fast, mark life changes, rite of passage, vision quest, wilderness retreat