Vision Quest (Hanbleceya)

• Date: There are no vision quests planned at this time.
• Location: True Nature, Lenado, CO. 40 minutes from Basalt and Aspen. 60 minutes from Glenwood Springs.
• Facilitated by: Branden “Common Man” Cohen with support from Deva Shantay, David “Running Crow” Nickamin and the entire community.
• Sponsored by: True Nature Healing Arts, a not for profit, 501c3.

Protocols (Guidelines)

Preparation: Questers prepare by tying 405 tobacco prayer ties, 101 for each direction and one additional tie of your choice. Purchase four yards of colored cotton cloth – one of each color – yellow (east), red (south), black (west) and white (north). Light sage and a candle, set your intention for the quest and tie, placing your prayers into each one. It is important to bring attention to our addictions(the ways we avoid the present moment and out discomfort) through therapeutic and spiritual work.

When on the land: please honor our policy of: no drugs or alcohol and no pictures of sweat lodge or fire. Ceremony, whether you are supporting or questing, provides a very powerful mirror. Branden and Deva are present to offer support when issues arise. We ask that you meet and process what arises versus creating drama in camp which creates disturbance in the energetic field and wastes energy. Collectively we are here to support the questers and raise our vibration.

During the Quest: the morning of the quest, before we go into the lodge, prepare your backpack and place near sweat lodge. You will leave your sweat clothes with the supporters, which be cleaned and ready for your use in the closing lodge.

Following the opening lodge, please do not speak with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary, this includes other questers. Change into quest clothing, grab your back pack and hike with other questers, following Branden who will place you in your sacred spot. Once placed, unwrap your prayer ties around the surrounding trees if you have quested before, with the appropriate color facing each direction – creating your medicine wheel. Otherwise, Branden will return to help you encircle your quest area with a door to the east. This door is to be used when you need to relieve yourself. Make sure you open and close this door upon leaving and returning to your space. Other than bathroom breaks, remain in your scared circle. Since there will be other questers within ear shot, we ask that you honor their process with silence at most times though song and self expression are welcomed.

Branden will visit on the second or third day and offer tea, juice or water. Through the quest, the entire support community will be connected with you through intention and prayer.

Coming Home: On the last morning of the quest, Branden will come and get you. Please do not roll up your prayer ties before this time. Honor silence with your fellow questers while hiking down and with the supporters when you return to base camp. Do not drink any water as the fast will be broken with your fellow questers in the lodge.

When back at camp, remove your pack and prayer ties and change into your sweat clothes. It is enticing to socialize but please wait for the appropriate time following the final sweat lodge. With sweat clothes on, enter the lodge immediately.

Whopela: following the closing lodge, you will partake in fruit, juice and water in a gentle way. We ask that you go clean up and return for the closing ceremony by the fire. Please bring your gifts for the ceremonial leader, keeper of the land, fire keeper and your supporter(s).

Once everyone is gathered, an experienced quester will go first. Grab a pitch of tobacco, honor the four directions and then offer prayers. Explaining to the group what you released during the quest. Some put journals, pictures, art (please no plastic or synthetic clothing) into the fire as a metaphor for this release. Questers then ask from spirit what they wish to bring into their lives. The prayer ties are then burned and gifts are shared. Whopela is closed with a Chanupa ceremony and then it is time to eat. Questers it is recommended that you be gentle with the food.

Questers: bring a backpack with an 8 x 10 tarp, rope to make a lean-to, rain gear, boots, warm socks, gloves, hat, layers (long underwear, insulating later and shell), sleeping back, thermarest, toilet paper, shovel, lighter, tobacco, sage and nothing else. Sign release and medical form prior to participating. Bring any required daily medication. Anything else you bring will serve as a distraction.

Supporters: we recommend that each quester have one supporter at base camp. Supporters have the opportunity to experience the ceremony first hand through being of service, holding the space energetically and participating in sweat lodges. Supporters are encouraged to spend the entire ceremony on the land versus coming and going.

There are areas to tent out. Bring camping gear, sleeping bag and pad, tent, towels for sweats, clothes or bathing suit to sweat in, layers of clothing for camping, hat and flash light. It is recommended that supporters gift $25/day/person to cover the expenses associated with their stay.

Gifting: It is customary to provide a monetary gift, with a pouch of tobacco wrapped in red cloth, to the facilitator of the ceremony at the closing known as Whopela. This is part of your preparation and a way to close the circle of giving and receiving. We never set a fee for ceremony. All are welcome regardless of age, sex, religion, race or their ability to offer financial gifts. Our deepest intention in offering these ceremonies is healing and love.