Are You Ready?

• For a break from your busy schedule
• To mark a change in your life
• To feel free and alive again
• To reconnect with nature and with your true inner nature
• To be guided again by your dreams and deep yearning
• To find and express your true voice

Imagine standing on the shore of a backcountry lake, where the simple clarity of Nature and your True Nature reflect your deepest longings and intentions. Imagine launching yourself into a dynamic voyage of connecting with your personal truth, gifts and purpose. Imagine being held by the guides, circle of women and the wilderness, supporting you in the unfolding of your soul. Imagine being your fullest woman self!

On this quest, you will experience:

• A three-day period of solo time and fasting
• Creative and playful expression through movement and music
• Nature-based rituals and medicine walks
• Meditation and guided imagery
• The practice of Council: intentional speaking and listening in a group
• Exploration of topics such as sexuality, relationships, spirituality and emotional well-being
• A timeless practice of charting your inner landscape using the map of the Four Shields

THE DETAILS

The quest has three phases:

Preparation: A time to become acquainted with your guides and fellow questers as we utilize 3 full days to cover such topics as: No trace camping & natural history of the high desert; safety and survival procedures; teachings of the four directions; exploration of your reasons for questing; and, creating your own ceremonies for growth, healing and celebration. On the third day most questers choose to begin fasting as they find their 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 fast 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 get to share her/his experiences with the group and will be assisted in a myriad of ways in bringing the many facets of the quest back into daily life.

When: Friday, October 2nd, 10am - Tuesday, October 11th, 2009, 1pm. *Please Note: Most questers choose to arrive on the night of October 1 so they can acquaint themselves with the area and not rush into the start of the quest the next morning.

Where: Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA. All permits and camping fees from 10/01-10/11/09 are paid by Wilderness Reflections.

What you need to provide: Personal camping gear; share in carpoolingcosts/vehicles. Ability to carry a 30-40 lb. pack five miles (mostly flat). No prior camping experience needed.

Fee: Guide Fee $975. Camp Logistics Fee $95. (For those in need, payment plans & financial aid are available on a first-come, first-served basis).

To Register by Mail: Send a completed Registration Form, a $200 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, and a one page letter of intent stating why you wish to participate in the quest to: Wilderness Reflections, P.O. Box 177, Woodacre, CA 94973.

To Register Online: Click here.

Guides for Women's Wilderness Quest:

Amy Biesemeyer, M.F.T. is a gifted and dynamic quest guide, weaving together her passions for Nature, ritual, singing/chanting and personal transformation. In her ten years of wilderness guiding, she has learned to gently and skillfully help others navigate the territory between comfort and challenge. Drawing upon mind-body practices, she enriches her work with meditation, expressive arts and movement. She has explored her own womanhood through experiential psychotherapy, women's Vision Quests and therapy groups, and majoring in Women's Studies. She leads women's support groups in the S.F. area, creating a nurturing space for women to cultivate deep, authentic connection to themselves and each other. She has been trained by the School of Lost Borders, in the therapeutic use of the wilderness. She is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Wilderness First Responder. Nature is her teacher and sanctuary, and she is honored to guide others in the magical unfolding of their inner wilderness.

Vanessa Eyen, M.A. Vanessa has her Master's degree in Outdoor Education and Community Counseling, a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and is certified as a yoga teacher and wilderness first responder. Passionate about fostering a connection to the natural world, she worked as a teacher, program director and trainer for outdoor environmental education companies since 2001. Specializing in nature based counseling, she was the teacher assistant for the undergraduate classes Ecopsychology and Dreams, Myths, and Symbols with Mary Gomes at Sonoma State Univ. Vanessa guides youth quests for several bay area schools and organizations.