The Animas Quest
An Animas Valley Institute event
January 25 to February Feb 5, 2024 (11 nights)
This contemporary Western embodiment of the ancient, pan-cultural vision fast is a dynamic wilderness rite for all who are seeking greater depth and clarity about life purpose and meaning. As a rite of initiation, the quest is a ceremonial descent to the underworld, in which you die to your familiar way of belonging to the world, uncover the passion and wisdom of your soul, and retrieve the gift that is yours alone to bring to the world, enhancing personal fulfillment and genuine service. The venue for the Animas Quest is Acoora - Arts and Ecology Training Ground in the Norther Rivers region of NSW.
Early Bird Price : $2,495 (to be paid in full upfront at registration - early bird places expire December 21, 2023)
Full Price: $2,695 - with an optional $500 deposit to hold your place - the full price amount must be paid by January 11, 2024.
If you are challenged financially, please contact us to discuss.
The Animas Quest catalyses the encounter with soul by temporarily displacing everyday consciousness through five primary means: (1) solitude for three or four days and nights while (2) fasting (i.e., drinking water only), (3) being fully exposed to and enfolded within the forms and forces of nature, (4) enacting a series of ceremonies, and (5) employing a set of practices (Soulcraft) that support you in crossing into the mysteries of nature and psyche. The Quest takes place over a total of 12 days. Preceding your time of solitude are five full days of preparation activities that enhance your ability to benefit from the fast.
During the five preparation days, we work with dreams, poetry, deep imagery, ceremonial drumming and dance, dialogues with nature, the way of council, and other practices to help us slip out the door of our everyday lives and access our own deeper, wilder currents. The heart of the quest consists of the solo: three days and nights without human companionship in nature, fasting, engaging in personal ceremonies, saying yes to the mysteries of soul, tending the true mythos of your life, praising and grieving, and birthing a vision. Upon your return to base camp at the retreat centre, there are three days of reincorporation activities, preparing you to embody among your people what you received on your fast.
No previous camping or backpacking experience is required. (In fact, many of those who have quested with us have never before been camping or backpacking). We ask that couples, family members, or friends not attend this program together.
Reincorporation Mentoring: Following your Quest, you face the challenge of integrating into everyday life what you experienced in the wild. This is the key to your further unfolding. To support you in this process, there is a post-quest session with a reincorporation mentor who is also an Animas guide. Ongoing quester-mentor relationships are available to help you grow into a more soul-centred life of purpose and passion.
Venue:
Arcoora Arts and Ecology Training Ground - Located 2 hours inland from the Gold Coast in the Norther Rivers region of Australia, high in the misty mountains of the southern hemisphere’s largest volcanic structure (the Wollumbin volcano). Arcoora operates out of the former Vadjradhara Gonpa Buddhist Retreat Centre, a 20 minute drive north of Kyogle, northern NSW.
Guides:
Doug Van Houten: Doug draws on the wisdom of the natural world, depth-psychology, eco-psychology, dreams, somatic knowing, poetry, and many pan-cultural, soul furthering practices that include: The Way of Council, vision fasting, shadow work, symbolic artwork, trance dancing and conversations with the more than human world. Doug’s true calling in life is to support others as they uncover their own unique gifts and in so doing, transform their lives in service to what Thomas Berry called ”The Great Work” of our times. Doug is also an ardent beekeeper, a visual artist, a wily wanderer, a dream tracker, an emergent ceremonialist, a heart-centered activist, and a yogi and a dancer interested in new forms of somatic practice.
Jules Howatt: Jules was pulled towards wildness at a young age and continues to explore the wilderness of psyche, the deep imagination as well as relationship with the more than human. They are dedicated to helping others explore their own authentic nature so as to further cultivate a deeper relationship to Soul and discovery of the unique genius that they alone carry. Jules is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide, photographer and general all-around mischief maker.
Food and Accommodation:
The program is fully catered, providing stunning vegetarian food. We will pass on any dietary restrictions advised by you at registration. If you have not already let us know of any dietary restrictions that apply to you, please forward to us as soon as possible.
The venue is Acoora in the Norther Rivers region of NSW. Located 2 hours inland from the Gold Coast, high in the misty mountains of the southern hemisphere’s largest volcanic structure (the Wollumbin volcano). Arcoora operates out of the former Vadjradhara Gonpa Buddhist Retreat Centre, a 20min drive north of Kyogle, NSW. There is dormitory accommodation in shared bunk rooms or camping if preferred.