Questing: Where Do You Want To Go This Year?
11 January, 2009
“Without stepping beyond your door, you can understand the world.
Without looking out of your window, you can see the way of heaven.
The father you travel, the less you will understand.
The wise arrive at their destinations without long journeys,
Are intelligent without much look,
Accomplish everything without lifting their hands.”
These are the words of Lao Tzu, 6th century Chinese philosopher and a central figure in Taoism. To be in harmony with the Dao, the mystical source and ideal of all existence, is the natural state for every person. Because we have cravings and the ability to choose, we upset that balance, and must be lead back to this natural state with the Dao. We achieve harmony with the Dao by engaging in “non action”, “not forcing”, exercising humility and simplicity in contrast to selfish action. This is the concept of living in the moment. Not hurrying, or slowing. Not plotting, or inactivity.
Nevertheless, Edwin and I, when we received our economic stimulus check last year, put it in a separate savings account to be used for a trip in the next year to see the Aurora Borealis. There is something about this weird beauty, this dance of the electrical charges, that draws me. I am not a fan of the cold, snow or ice, but I am willing to make this trip...this journey because strangely enough I believe it has something to tell me, i.e, the trip to the pole, and the night sky.
The image of “journeying”, “pilgrimage” is a common one in just about every religious tradition and manifests itself in our culture. The Jews wandered in the Sinai desert for 40 years. Muslims are obliged to make a journey once in their life to Mecca. Christians visit Palestine (the Holy Land). You and I many visit a museum. A cemetery. The Grand Canyon. These places do something to us. They hold some meaning for us a bit of reality that we cannot pass up. So there are times when we do set out in search of it.
We are creatures who possess a capacity for and need for connecting the dots of experiences, pursuing fulfillment and know wholeness. In all of this we seek to deepen our awareness of life and become more wise. This was the motivation that led Jesus of Nazareth in the the Wilderness four 40 days, and the young Buddha out of his father's palace to see what was being hid from him. French novelist, Marcel Proust, is credited with saying, “We do not receive wisdom. We must discover it for ourselves after a journey through the wilderness, which no one else can make for us.”
Some kinds of wisdom, ways of knowing, we do receive from books, wisdom, conversations with another person. But there is a wisdom that is found in places, buildings, water, sand, gardens. And then there is a wisdom that is found within ourselves, without going anywhere; without the aid of a person or object. It is sought in silence, with patience. This is the wisdom that quicken our spirit, and our faith. It connects us with people and events of the past. It provides wings for us to soar into our own future.
So where do you want to go this year? A return to place of fond memories? A place without confusion? What is it that you need this year? A healing? A sharper vision? Lao Tzu's words, nothwithstanding, I am determined to see the Northern Light. But, the lights may not be the only encounter waiting for me. It may be confronting my aversion to ice and the cold. Or knowing how small I am in this enormous universe, and that I am not in charge. And that is my biggest fear.
In their book, Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, Maryann and Frederick Brussat write that “Questers venture into the unknown, confront difficulties and dangers, and return to their homes with a new understanding of themselves and their world.” But in order to begin the quest, one needs to leave home, literally and figuratively. Literally could mean to a park, not the other side of the world. But figuratively does mean leaving behind our fear of risk. Craving for certitude. To enter a quest...for anything requires that we simply be a seeker with nothing but questions to sustain the search until our vision is clear. We cannot make the journey when our hands and minds are carrying the baggage of calendars, conversations, and lists. Neither can we make it when our eyes and hearts are closed to seeing the something new.
A vision quests is a right of passage practiced by Native Americans and other cultures. The one on a vision quest is seeking truth – a truth that will enlighten their spirit. Connections are made with the seekers inner self, with their surroundings (nature) with the intent of gaining insight. In many ways it is the ultimate form of soul searching.
I am always hesitant about borrowing rituals from other cultures, because there is so much contextual information that is needed but left out, or reformulated by and/or for those outside of the culture. So with much gratitude and deference, I offer us a model of a personal vision quest each of us can embark upon as we seek balance, and move forward with our lives.
Step1
Choose a place in the wilderness that has special meaning to you. It can be a place where you feel comfortable and at peace. It may be a place where you feel a strong connection with nature. The place you choose should be somewhere that you can be alone and where there is no interference from the outside world.
Step2 Bring water for sustenance. You may bring a blanket for cover. Leave all other material objects behind. Everything needed is found within the seeker.
Step3
Choose someone to accompany you on your vision quest. Although your quest is a solitary journey you need someone along who can check on you and make sure everything is well.
The person you choose to accompany you on your vision quest should have knowledge of spiritual matters as well as medical knowledge such as first aid skills.
Step4
Create a sacred circle. It can be made out of stones, sticks, drawn in the dirt with a stick or you can visualize it around you. You will remain in this circle during your vision quest.
Step5
Sit comfortably in your sacred circle. Clear your mind and allow yourself to connect with nature. Breathe deeply and relax as you enter a meditative state. Remain in this state. Be patient. You may experience a profound vision or you may experience no vision at all.
Step6
Observe everything around you. Pay close attention to any animals or birds that appear. They may have a message for you. Visions often contain signs and symbolism so it is necessary to be aware of even the smallest part of your surroundings. You may be tempted to quit or leave the sacred space. Work to overcome that temptation. Allow your inner wisdom and endurance to assist you on the journey of your vision quest. Remain on your vision quest only as long as you feel you can. Rely on the guidance of spirit. Not everyone has a vision but if you do receive a vision you may have to face both positive and negative aspects of your inner self. Trust spirit and do not fear. 1
So, I ask again, where do you want to go this year – physically, spiritually, mentally, in your relationships? The late Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk writes, “Our real journey in life is interior; it is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an every greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts.” Wherever you go. Whatever you do, may your quest be a journey of delight and peace.
A Sermon preached by
Rev. Cynthia D. Heilman
Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Oberlin, Ohio
Sunday, 11 January 2009
http://www.ehow.com/how_4488551_conduct-personal-vision-quest.html
