Wilderness Vigil

A Wilderness Vigil is four days in solitude without distraction in a remote wilderness area, often people choose to fast from food - though others do not fast - we leave that up to each person. There is a solid amount of preparation: psychological, spiritual, logistical and practical.

A place-holder for old rites of passage ceremonies - this group and solo sojourn is undertaken for many reasons, always specific and personal to the participant. Often a major life change has forced us to reckon with the deeper currents of our lives and this ceremony is a courageous turning toward those currents; to listen and to stake out a new relationship to self, soul, work, people, Earth…. Transition toward a newer, unfolding identity, rather than the confines and limitations of a past self.

Older rites would mark the major life transitions with ceremony, in order to make them so; both intra-personally and within their community. From childhood to adulthood, from initiate to medicine person, from parent/adult to elder and finally from life to death.

Contemporary times afford us many new thresholds of wild and profound change, but unlike older cultures we lack the rites. Therefore the changes don’t root as well, or at all.

Fate sends many shadowy messengers to our doorsteps: divorce, disease, addiction, death of loved ones, turmoil of a changing gender identity or sexual orientation, loss of limbs, jobs, health…you name it and life has brought it, but for what end?

To deepen us, to initiate us into the unshakeable realities of our inner and outer lives and to beckon our innate essential energy toward a meeting with the world - self, others, nature, culture - around us.

This is a powerful journey and undertaking.

First, participants often feel called to this experience. And it may not make logical sense, just a feeling, a sense that you need to go. This sense is good guide.

Second, the ceremony and the commitment to it can bring a lot of change to one’s life. If change is what you seek, then this may be right for you.

There will be growing pains. You will face uncomfortable feelings and truths. You will face the vulnerability of being alone on the Earth for four days. You will journey toward the central fire of your own living. Bliss, immense fear, uncertainty, depth, connection, boredom, overwhelm and ecstatic vision, grief, awe and deep, unnerving honesty - can all come and visit us during this process.

Sometimes we need a year or two to prepare for such an undertaking; sometimes we need to take the leap because we just have a sense.

So is this right for you?

Feel free to reach out to Jared to have a conversation about it.

Dates:

• Wilderness Vigil is Sept 26th - Oct 3rd

  • structure of days out:

    • 2 days of set up, finding solo sites, intention council, safety prep, etc.

    • 4 full days out on solo Vigil.

    • up to 2 days of Return from Ceremony - initial telling of story, integration council and prep for returning to friends, family, work, culture.

• 4 Preparation Sessions: Aug 25th, Sept 8th, 15th, 22nd -

  • 5:30pm - 8:30pm

  • 10 miles west of Bend, near end of Skyliners Rd.

  • If you are out of area, it is possible to zoom you in to prep sessions.

  *Each prep session focuses on different aspect of preparation. We meet as a group and get to know each other as we each prepare for our specific experience.

• Post Vigil Monthly Integration Council (Optional)

  • Each Tuesday we will meet from 5:30-8pm in perpetuity and with wider beholden community members, who have also gone out on a Vigil in previous years. (note this is an additional expense of $50 suggested monthly donation)

$2,250 - $4,500

Sliding Scale:

We trust that people will pay what they are able to within this range.

We have a limited number of scholarships or rate reductions available - please reach out to us to inquire.

Payment Options:

1) Pay in Full - and receive $150 discount

2) Monthly Payment Plan (up To 6 months)

• $2,250: is $375 a month for 6 months. PayPal has an option to set up an automatic monthly with drawl

* In order to reserve your spot an initial payment of $375 is due.