Many cultures have connected with the Earth by retreating into the wilderness. Most commonly referred to as the vision quest or la búsqueda del silencio (the pursuit of silence), by retreating into nature to meditate and align with the energies of the Earth, one is able to become aligned with the energetic life-force frequencies of creation. This is a brave and selfless act; to commit to loss of ego in exchange for the knowledge or a deeper connection to one’s life purpose in relation to the flow of Spirit.

Whether the participants of this powerful act are questing for one day or several nights, they always return with a vibrant glow, a lighter step and a true sense of knowing that only comes when one is dedicated with clear intention to fulfill their purpose. While each person’s intention for participating in the quest varies, their purpose is generally the same, that being to connect in gratitude with the life-force energies of the Earth and to open themselves up to receive the gifts of the Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit are many and can range from new wisdom, increased knowledge, heightened awareness, deeper understanding, becoming balanced in knowing who they truly are in this world, among others things.

The gifts of the Earth and wilderness are like small miracles because everything that we observe, whether close up on the ground in front of us or off in the distance such as a storm, a rainbow, or a meteor shower, allows us to recognize how insignificant and essential we are in the grand scheme of things.

When we sit upon the Earth in silence our attention begins to shift. We find that we begin to merge with nature; that we become an extension of it. We begin to perceive the world instead of just looking at it and what we witness brings us to a deep state of respect and humility. Our connection with earth and sky brings us to an amazing state of balance; any trace of self-importance falls away and our heart chakra swells with the deepest kind of genuine love and gratitude for the gift of being alive.