Vision Quest: 3.5 days No Food, No Water, Alone in the Desert

​​In mid October, 2016 I went on my first vision quest, That's 3.5 days alone in the desert with no food and water. I had the most profound spiritual and life changing experience.  I want to share with you my experience and what I learned, if it may inspire or encourage you  to do something for yourself or overcome something challenging. 

But first, a little background story.

A vision quest is a sacred Native American spiritual journey for those seeking answers to problems, to gain vision for the future, or to get healing to an illness, but not limited to these.  I don't know too much about vision quest other than what I experienced. I suggest you do your own research about it if interested.  The one I went on was well organized with many volunteer supporters and guided by a Native American medicine man who has guided many successful vision quests before.  I knew and trusted the medicine man and his volunteer supporters. There are safety procedures in place should someone need help during the vision quest. Knowing what I know, I would only consider doing vision quests led by a medicine person who has had many years of training in the traditional Native American spirituality and has a good grounding in the Native American ways of life and spiritual medicine. 

I had known about opportunities to do vision quests a few years ago but did not understand why people would fast 3.5 days alone in the desert.  It just seemed crazy to me at the time. I could not fathom being in the desert without water. 

Then several months ago a friend went on a vision quest and had an amazing experience where he overcame some issues.  I was so inspired by his experience that shortly after I decided to go on one.  If he could make it,  I can too, was my thought.  Plus, I think I was just ready spiritually and emotionally. 

Each person's experience is unqiue and different.  To me, the most challenging things were the thirst and heat. The nights were cool and beautiful and the days were hot.  Just getting through the daytime desert heat was a huge challenge for me, even though I love the sun, the heat and the desert and had hiked many times in the desert heat before. 

I went in with 4 intentions or outcomes I want to see in my life.  What I got were those and soooo much more. 

Some immediate benefits I noticed were an increase in fearlessness and confidence. I also noticed a higher sense of connection to nature and spirituality and the ability to pray easily. Small, petty things didn't bother me as much. I feel I have changed physically, emotionally and spiritual.  The  vision quest is very challenging with lots of discomforts, but I can't wait to do the another one. A few days after the vision quest, the pain and discomforts have completely disappeared from my mind.  All I could think of are the life changing results I received, and want more of it. 

Here is the most profound wisdom I got....

​On the 2nd night of the vision quest, the traffic noise coming from the highway in the distance was extremely loud and constant from the evening and went into the night. Maybe there were more cars traveling that night, maybe my senses had become more sensitive. Who knew? I was frustrated because I could not fall asleep no matter what technique I used and how many yoga poses I did to tire my body. . At 2:00 AM I was still wide awake and turning and tossing on my sleeping bag under the bright moonlight and calmness of the night.  Frustrated, hungry and thirsty,  I surrendered and asked ​the Creator for help.  I became very humbled and honest with my life at that moment.  (I was at peace after the prayer, even though I still could not fall asleep night and the next night.)
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​After my prayer and the surrendering experience, I got that my life's purpose is to be a "good human being".  A "good human being" is not about being a good person or doing good in the world.  It has a whole different meaning​. At the time I had no idea what it means to be a good human being. The  meaning was too deep and too divine for me to grasp. I just trusted that this was extremely important for my existence. I came to understand that all my goals and dreams would not mean much if I did not learn to be a good human being in this existence. But if I learn to be a good human being then my goals and dreams would come true easier. 

This may or may not resonate with you, but it sure resonated deep for me. This changed my life's purpose and direction. Sure, I still have the same goals and dreams and will continue to pursue them passionately as before, but learning to be a good human being takes priority. 

I asked "what does it mean to be a good human being?"  No answer. 
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A couple of days after returning home, this wisdom came to me. To begin the process of being a "good human being" there are 4 points to practice.. I called them "the 4 pillars to being a good human being".  They make a lot of sense to me.  

I still don't know what it means or what it takes to be a good human being, but in the meantime, applying the 4 pillars to my daily life is the starting point. I trust the necessary wisdom will come at the appropriate time, as I practice these 4 pillars.

In the next blog I will share the first pillar of being a good human being.  Stay tuned.  

​Love and blessings, - Mee Vaj