Join us for a trip of personal renewal and self-discovery in one of the most mystical, inspiring places on earth- the canyonlands of southern Utah. Walk in the footsteps of the Anasazi, letting their rock art, ruins and silent presence help you recover more of your own wild, authentic, soulful way of being. Slow down from the fast pace of modern life and refind your place within nature’s rhythms and cycles. Here you will open to nature’s beauty and to her teachings: To the lessons of the earth, of hawk and raven, of the cycles of moon, sun and the seasons turning....If you are hungry to understand yourself and your world more clearly or seek help in navigating life’s changes, this trip can be a powerful ally in your search.

Through fun and soulful self-expression, we’ll help you return to the wisdom held in the body. Using council practice, sacred dialogues with nature, sweatlodge ceremony, dream work and living simply on the earth, we will explore the questions closest to our hearts and dive into the mysteries of nature and our wild souls. We’ll hike into the sensuous, ancient canyons of Capitol Reef National Park. There, as our ancestors from many cultures have done, you’ll walk alone into the canyons and discover the awesome magic and power of turning to the earth with the needs, yearnings, fears and dreams of your life. After this period of solo time, you’ll return to the sanctuary of our small group where you’ll spend the next few days understanding more deeply the teachings nature has offered you and how they fit into your life.

The quest has three phases:

Preparation: A time to become acquainted with your guides and fellow questers as we take several days to cover such topics as: No trace camping & natural history of the canyonlands; safety and survival procedures; how to cultivate sacred conversations with nature; exploration of your reasons for questing; and, creating your own ceremonies for growth, healing and celebration. On the third day we travel to a wilderness base camp that will support you as you find your own special place on the land for the threshold phase of the quest.

Threshold: As you have removed yourself further from your regular, daily life, you are now prepared to step out of your "normal" life and consciousness and into the sacred realm of the quest. You will spend 3 days and nights living alone without contact with other people. Most questers choose to fast during this time.

Reincorporation: On the fourth morning of your solo you will return to base camp to be greeted by your guides and fellow questers. After celebrating we will begin the challenging process of gradually returning to “normal” life-- eating, being with others, cars, etc. – and most importantly, we will work together to help you make meaning of your alone time in the wilderness.Each quester will have a chance to share her/his experiences with the group and will be assisted in a myriad of ways in bringing the many facets of the questback into daily life.

When: Friday, September 21st, 9 am - Sunday, September 30th, 2007, 1 pm. *Please Note: Most questers choose to arrive on the night of September 20th in or near Torrey, UT so they can acquaint themselves with the area and not rush into the start of the quest the next morning. We will send you information about available camping or motels nearby.

Where: The trip will begin and end near Torrey, UT ( ~ a 3 hour drive from the Salt Lake City). All permits and camping fees from 9/21-30/07 are paid by Wilderness Reflections.

What you need to provide: Personal camping gear; share in carpooling costs/vehicles. Ability to carry a 30-40 lb. pack 2 miles. No prior camping experience needed.

GUIDES FOR THE UTAH CANYONS QUEST

Rebecca Wildbear, MS began as a therapist and wilderness guide in 1997 and has been working as a wilderness therapist since 2000. She has trained with Animas Valley Institute in quest guiding and has extensive training as a yoga instructor and body-oriented psychotherapist. She loves creating experiences for people to open to their own process of transformation and relationship with wild nature since this has most empowered her to live and give within the depths of her own heart and soul.

Dave Talamo , MFT is founder of Wilderness Reflections. He has over 25 years of experience guiding wilderness trips, works as a therapist with youth and adults, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. He is committed to the expression of joy and authenticity through the body and to helping others experience their own embodied selves in an intimate, ecstatic relationship with Nature.