Spiritual Journey – A Quest!

So, it is that time of year again! I am about to embark on a new Spiritual Journey- A Quest to find out more about myself and my world views.

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey“. Stephen R. Covey

What does a spiritual journey mean to me?

I also need to think about what I want to do and what I hope to accomplish.

Last year I spent time reflecting on my Native American roots and my Native Name. I drummed and I sang and I sat by the fire. I grew and I learned. It was also when I got word that my Grandfather Herrmann was about to pass. I had to leave early and I remember now just how poignant that weekend was for me. I got a chance to reflect on where I had been and where I was going and that included stories from my grandfather and grandmother.

Now it is time to reflect again. . .

It is not important to explain what I hope to achieve this time, but it is important to understand the process that I use.

I hope that you do not do this as a one time event, but repeat this a couple times a year, or at least once a year.

Now, Where to begin?. .

I always start by thinking about my journey as a quest.

What images and ideas do you conjure when you think of a quest?

I don’t mean slaying a dragon, or rolling some dice (DnD), or by clicking the mouse (RPG). I mean a true to quest with life altering rewards!

This is similar to the design I use

And then what?

This is actually a lot easier than you might think. You always start with how you view the process.

• This quest can be for self-knowledge.
• Achieving a goal: such as building a spiritual space, or it could be exploring how you view an idea or a concept.
• Or it could be for some other purpose.

This is just supposed to be time for YOU to spend time with YOU!

Just remember that these answers may change. You are basing these on your current view of how you see and interact with your world.

So get out a piece of paper or better yet, your journal!

Now think about these questions. . .

1. What kind of quest do I want to take?
2. Do I want it to be easy and relaxing?
3. Do I want to work on building an idea or project?
4. What do I hope to have accomplished by taking up this quest?

Now write what you think your Spiritual Journey  will focus on. Remember each quest has a series of sub-goals and achievements.

• Write out what these sub-goals and achievements look like to you.

These are all just starting points.

Part of the journey is learning to see and overcome obstacles. These can be weather, or some other situational aspect, but what if you are exploring an idea and all of a sudden that idea no longer fits how you view your world? Remember what I said above? Part of the idea of a spiritual journey is to broaden and then focus in on your world view and your personal view. These may or may not coincide cohesively.

What kinds of obstacles do you think you will face?

How do you think you will over come them?

Lean-to

Location Location Location. . .

Now that you have an idea for the kind of quest you would like to go on, and some of the issues that you may face,  where do you hope this quest may take place?

While the location is important, it is also important to be safe.

What kinds of things do you think you will need?

Are you going to a hotel?

Are you going to your back yard?

Are you going camping?

Hiking?

Boating?

Other?



However, did you think about going on a spiritual journey in your mind alone?


You do not need to physically go anywhere. if you have a vivid imagination and have the ability to develop the journey in your mind’s eye you can do anything. This can be the most rewarding kind of spiritual journey because it really is between you and your views of your world and you can develop and explore as much, or as little as you want at each point and you can come and go from there a lot more easily.

My favorite places to go:

I love to go camping and explore nature while being completely exposed. I do not like to use tents, or to use a lean-to. I prefer a tarp, a sleeping-bag, a knife for protection, matches, water, herbs, spices, couple teaspoons of honey and a LEAVE-NO-TRACE mentality.

This is a lightweight fire-bowl that I can bring with me on my journey. It protects the ground from fire damage and is easily extinguished.

Summer Solstice Fire 2011

I go to rivers, lakes and oceans. I go where my heart and feet will carry me and I go with an open mind, body and spirit.

If you are not going to an area well-known to you then I suggest 3 extra days of dried foods. I want to leave the area as undisturbed as when I arrived. I do not want to break or fell any living thing: this means plants and animals.

The main point to this journey is that it is for you to develop your mind, body and soul. There is no wrong way to go on a journey as long as you go with the right attitude.

Let me know how your  journey went.

And don’t forget that journal!!!