From the beginning of time, people have been sitting out in nature for the purpose of experiencing a revelation. For shorter or for longer periods, they have sat in desserts, on mountains, in forests, or in the wilderness, for the purpose of having a spiritual experience.
Often times a person will go into the wilderness to find his personal spiritual vocation. “How can I best serve my people?” To be useful to your fellow men and fellow creatures, is the foundation of the shamanic mindset and way of life.

We and our ancestors have lived in Scandinavia for over 10,000 years. Our ancestor's ancestors wandered to this place, over mountains and rivers, through valleys and forests, from a faraway place, and their history goes back more than 40.000 years. We each have a root that goes all the way back to that time. Through all of this time our foremothers and forefathers lived their lives based on nature-religion and sorcery – and we are more and more people who are doing so again.

It is important to have direction in ones life. To have a clear perception of purpose in life. It is worth spending some time on. It's been said, that a man who has not got a cause, he is willing to die for - has nothing to live for.

A Vision Quest with me takes place in the wilderness in Lapland, and typically takes 4 to 6 days including preparation and reflection – with one or a couple of days 'outsitting' (Vision Questing) alone; on a mountain top, in the woods, by a lake or a river. If you've done it before, you may want to 'sit out' for longer. A Vision Quest with me must be negotiated three months in advance, and there is a preparation period of 4 to 8 weeks. The purpose is not really about having a dramatic change in ones life, although it does happen to some. The intention is to become better at being who you are and live the life you are living. A Vision Quest can be very self confrontational. We will meet ourselves. We come to terms with our past - and 'see' into our future.
Sometimes realizing your vision can be a lot of hard work. If you are not willing to realize your vision, you are better off not having one.

I only do Vision Quests one to one - one client and one shaman.
I only do spiritual Vision Quests - not therapeutic Vision Quests.

To people who practice shamanism, one might say; that Vision Quest, in a sense, is a kind of shaman journey of a different dimension. It provides a good perspective on, and good framework around, our lives and shamanic practices.

We know our way. We know what we want. It all becomes more clear and satisfactory. We are happier and feel more alive. We breathe. We dance. We soar. We live. We are still here!

John Russell-Møller *
E-mail jrm@shaman.dk