For as long as self-aware humans have occupied this planet, they’ve been busy attempting to understand and improve themselves. In this post, we’ll look at vision quests, which actually lends itself to other aspects of personal development, including meditation, mindfulness, silence, and self-inquiry.

Although there is evidence vision quests have been practiced for thousands of years across the globe, they are probably best known as a right of passage for young Native American males.

Today, however, vision quests are offered by a variety of profit-based organizations for people of all genders, ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Their goals now, as they were then, are largely the same: to enable questers to better understand themselves, their connection to the world around them, and their life’s purpose.

Anatomy of a Vision Quest

For those interested, a vision quest usually will include some combination of the following:

Preparation & Purification. In the days and hours prior to a vision quest the aspirant may undergo a dietary fast or cleanse, meditate, pray, and otherwise get into a physical, mental, and spiritual state of readiness. More traditional Native American approaches can be quite elaborate, including the construction of a sweat lodge followed by one or more sweats; construction of prayer flags; and the guidance of a holy man.

Most vision quests are limited to a small ‘prayer circle’ in which the aspirant is expected to remain throughout the vision quest.

Isolation & Fasting. A vision quest must take place in a remote or secluded location where the aspirant is not going to be interrupted. This means no smartphones, books, or other sources of distraction. It also means no food (and in some cases, no water). Because most quests will last 1 to 4 days, questers must be prepared for many of the temporary discomforts that come with a fast (headaches, weakness, bad breath and body odor, etc.).

Vision Quest & Debrief. The vision quest itself is designed to take place within a small circle. The quester is not to leave the circle and, if possible, to avoid sleep. In some cases, the combination of isolation, hunger, weakness, exhaustion, and deep prayer / meditation combine to elicit an internal or other-worldly epiphany / revelation of some kind. After the quest, the assistance of an expert guide may be needed to interpret or understand the vision and its meaning.

The DIY Vision Quest

As noted, there are many organizations that offer some version of a modern vision quest for a fee. Nothing wrong with that and, for women, the formalized oversight and security may be worth the cost.

If you want to go it alone, however, there isn’t much to it other than summoning the courage and commitment to actually making it a reality.

Step 1. Identify an interruption-free location. Disappear into the desert, head out onto the water, find a remote cabin, or squirrel away in an empty room of your home. The key is to find a location where you will not be interrupted.

Step 2. Choose how long you’re going to commit to the endeavor. Most people choose a few days at most but there’s nothing stopping you from going longer – much longer even. The body can go quite awhile without food, though for obvious reasons you’ll want to have an emergency food supply for lengthier quests and / or the ability – in a weakened state – to make it out of your location.

Step 3. Fast. No food. Prepare to be hungry. After a few days the pangs will likely pass.

Step 4. Be still. For as long as you can. You might want to start with a single thought – as in, ‘Who or what am I?’ Try to stay on that thought initially and ignore other thoughts that intrude. And will they ever intrude. Watch the thoughts but not follow them, engage with them. If you do, return to that internal state.

If a vision is to come, it almost certainly will do so when you least expect it. Why? Because the mind and its host (aka you) need to be removed from the equation so an inner voice can be heard.

Good luck!