Dear Friends,
I’m honored to co-host and invite you to a 4-day Vision Quest and prayer ceremony in community led by Lakota Chief Howard Bad Hand on my land in the foothills near Boulder, September 12th to 15th.
The centerpiece of the ceremony is a 24-hour Vision Quest in the Lakota tradition, alongside teachings, songs, and prayer led by Chief Howard, the construction and use of a traditionally built sweat lodge, group prayers for the benefit of attendees, loved ones, and our greater community, and all meals prepared and served onsite.
You will also have free reign on my 40-acre property as a way of being on spiritual retreat, have a seat in a circle of heart-centered humans to bring intentions, find and offer support during these potent times, and come into deep contact with Spirit.
While traditional Lakota Vision Quests are four days and nights, we want to offer the community an opportunity to participate in a Vision Quest ceremony by way of introduction to the principles and practices of this ancient tradition, and in preparation for a full Quest should you be so called at a later time. Chief Howard and his apprentice, Chief Matthieu from France, will personally place questers on the hill and receive them on the other side, and with their lifelong experience in Lakota tradition, will prepare the space with great care and skill.
From co-host, fellow organizer, and medicine woman Mireille Loumann:
The Vision Quest helps us remember who we are. Most people go through the process of a form of memory loss – we simply forget who and what we are. Some people live the majority of their life in forgetfulness, but for some, a quest calls to them at some point in later life. A longing, a search; we want to know who we are. There are many ways to realize who we are – in the Lakota way of life, Hanblecheyapi (Vision Quest) serves us in this matter.
It is a beautiful ceremony, a personal experience between oneself and the Creator. For four days and four nights we sit with ourselves in nature, surrounded by our own prayers. In this time we fast from water, food, and relationships. We are supported and taken care of by the chiefs, the land, and the supporters in the camp. They keep the fire burning, they sing for the questers, pray, eat and drink for them.
The first year will serve as an introduction to this path. We will get to know each other, start harmonizing together and those who wish to get a feel of the Vision Quest may choose to be put on the hill for one day and one night.
It is a great fortune that we will be under the peaceful care of Chief Howard Bad Hand, Chief Mathieu and great friend and singer from the Diné nation, JR. Together they will share teachings throughout our days together.
What is important to know about Howard is that not only does he share talks and ideas about peace; he emanates it. He is peaceful, which is one of the reasons there are many who highly value any time we get to spend with him.
It will most likely be Howard’s last Vision Quest cycle, and this is a beautiful opportunity to receive his teachings (and jokes!) in person. He will be accompanied by his confidante and friend Chief Mathieu from France. The two of them are walking together, sharing their vision for peace.
All of it is organized for the love of peace, and we bid everyone welcome to come share a moment of peace and good music.
You will also have free reign on my 40-acre property as a way of being on spiritual retreat, have a seat in a circle of heart-centered humans to bring intentions, find and offer support during these potent times, and come into deep contact with Spirit.
While traditional Lakota Vision Quests are four days and nights, we want to offer the community an opportunity to participate in a Vision Quest ceremony by way of introduction to the principles and practices of this ancient tradition, and in preparation for a full Quest should you be so called at a later time. Chief Howard and his apprentice, Chief Matthieu from France, will personally place questers on the hill and receive them on the other side, and with their lifelong experience in Lakota tradition, will prepare the space with great care and skill.
From co-host, fellow organizer, and medicine woman Mireille Loumann:
The Vision Quest helps us remember who we are. Most people go through the process of a form of memory loss – we simply forget who and what we are. Some people live the majority of their life in forgetfulness, but for some, a quest calls to them at some point in later life. A longing, a search; we want to know who we are. There are many ways to realize who we are – in the Lakota way of life, Hanblecheyapi (Vision Quest) serves us in this matter.
It is a beautiful ceremony, a personal experience between oneself and the Creator. For four days and four nights we sit with ourselves in nature, surrounded by our own prayers. In this time we fast from water, food, and relationships. We are supported and taken care of by the chiefs, the land, and the supporters in the camp. They keep the fire burning, they sing for the questers, pray, eat and drink for them.
The first year will serve as an introduction to this path. We will get to know each other, start harmonizing together and those who wish to get a feel of the Vision Quest may choose to be put on the hill for one day and one night.
It is a great fortune that we will be under the peaceful care of Chief Howard Bad Hand, Chief Mathieu and great friend and singer from the Diné nation, JR. Together they will share teachings throughout our days together.
What is important to know about Howard is that not only does he share talks and ideas about peace; he emanates it. He is peaceful, which is one of the reasons there are many who highly value any time we get to spend with him.
It will most likely be Howard’s last Vision Quest cycle, and this is a beautiful opportunity to receive his teachings (and jokes!) in person. He will be accompanied by his confidante and friend Chief Mathieu from France. The two of them are walking together, sharing their vision for peace.
All of it is organized for the love of peace, and we bid everyone welcome to come share a moment of peace and good music.
—–
DATES: September 12th to 15th
LOCATION: Ryel’s 40-acre land, 20 minutes from Boulder
REQUESTED CONTRIBUTION: $450
SCHEDULE
Thursday:
12-4pm – Arrival
12-6pm – Sweat lodge construction
Evening – Sweat, questers making prayer-ties, dinner
Friday:
Morning – Breakfast, questers making prayer-ties, teachings/songs/prayer
Afternoon – Lunch, sweat, bringing questers up on the hill
Evening – Supporter evening sweat
Saturday:
Morning – Supporter breakfast, prepare to receive questers
Afternoon – Taking the questers down from the hill, sweat, feast
Sunday:
Morning – Sweat, brunch, closing-circle, chanunpa (sacred pipe) prayer, departure
QUESTERS: We have space for 15-20 questers to be placed on the hill for a 24-hour cycle. During this time of prayer and contemplation, questers refrain from food and water, and remain inside a sacred space bound by prayer-ties.
SUPPORTERS: We do need a small group of supporters, around 5-10 people. If you don’t feel called to be quester at this time, it would be of great service to join us as a supporter, tending to the fire, joining in song, and helping to prepare the food.
——
It is with a full heart and great honor to be able to share this sacred time and space with you. Whether you feel called to embark on the Vision Quest or support the community as a helper, your presence will contribute to the healing and peace we aim to cultivate together, on behalf of ourselves, loved ones, and the greater collective.
We look forward to gathering with you in ceremony, connection, and reverence. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more details (via email at ryelkstano@gmail.com or phone/text/whatsapp at 303 870 8650). I’d be grateful to know if this is of interest to you so we can start to get a sense of interest/attendance.
DATES: September 12th to 15th
LOCATION: Ryel’s 40-acre land, 20 minutes from Boulder
REQUESTED CONTRIBUTION: $450
SCHEDULE
Thursday:
12-4pm – Arrival
12-6pm – Sweat lodge construction
Evening – Sweat, questers making prayer-ties, dinner
Friday:
Morning – Breakfast, questers making prayer-ties, teachings/songs/prayer
Afternoon – Lunch, sweat, bringing questers up on the hill
Evening – Supporter evening sweat
Saturday:
Morning – Supporter breakfast, prepare to receive questers
Afternoon – Taking the questers down from the hill, sweat, feast
Sunday:
Morning – Sweat, brunch, closing-circle, chanunpa (sacred pipe) prayer, departure
QUESTERS: We have space for 15-20 questers to be placed on the hill for a 24-hour cycle. During this time of prayer and contemplation, questers refrain from food and water, and remain inside a sacred space bound by prayer-ties.
SUPPORTERS: We do need a small group of supporters, around 5-10 people. If you don’t feel called to be quester at this time, it would be of great service to join us as a supporter, tending to the fire, joining in song, and helping to prepare the food.
——
It is with a full heart and great honor to be able to share this sacred time and space with you. Whether you feel called to embark on the Vision Quest or support the community as a helper, your presence will contribute to the healing and peace we aim to cultivate together, on behalf of ourselves, loved ones, and the greater collective.
We look forward to gathering with you in ceremony, connection, and reverence. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more details (via email at ryelkstano@gmail.com or phone/text/whatsapp at 303 870 8650). I’d be grateful to know if this is of interest to you so we can start to get a sense of interest/attendance.
Feel free to share this invitation to the people in your life.
In the spirit of unity and with the blessings of our ancestors,
In the spirit of unity and with the blessings of our ancestors,
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (“We are all related”)
Ryel