Analysis Of The Vision Quest Of Native American Lakota
RLGN 1320 A01 Introduction to World Religions
The Quest: Journey into Nature
Adapted from John Suler (1999) and David Creamer.
This assignment will examine two different ways in which humans have used contact with nature as a way of finding meaning and direction. The first part of the essay will analyze the Vision Quest of the Native American Lakota tradition from the perspective of Van Gennep’s theory of a rite of passage. The second part of the assignment will look at a modern interpretation of the Quest using John Suler’s categories of: Wandering, The Sign and Individuation
In earlier societies, the Vision Quest was a way of attaining psychological and spiritual insights. Typically, a person would embark on a Quest as a rite of passage into adulthood (the “Walkabout” of the Aborigines of Australia, and the Vision Quest of the Lakota honour the tradition of adolescents going off into the wilderness to search for added meaning in their lives and for assistance in the struggle through the transitional stage of growing into adulthood), to find a solution to a crisis confronting the individual or group, or to attain truth about oneself and one’s world. …show more content…
In a broader sense, elements of the Vision Quest survive today in journey literature (Lost Horizons, Seven Years in Tibet), and something as ordinary as going for a walk or drive by oneself “to have time to think.” Carl Jung understood the Vision Quest—the idea of oneself as a wanderer, a seeker, a pilgrim—as a universal archetypical theme that surfaces in the lives of ordinary people as well as great religious leaders (Prince Siddhartha) and mythical heroes (Odysseus).
The ancient Vision Quest was characterized by several key elements:
1. Solitariness: it was done alone
2. A Physical Wandering from one’s normal environment
3. A Psychic Wandering of thoughts and emotions
4. Self-reflection and Self-questioning: seeking answers to a specific question about oneself (“Should I marry Jim?”) or a more existential question (“Who am I?”)
5. An attitude of searching, looking for, and expecting a “sign” or “vision”
This assignment is a drastic modification of the ancient Vision Quest! Your task is to go on a modern Quest, to write about it and to situate it in terms of theoretical models discussed in class.
Practising and benefiting from the Quest do not require a belief in the realm of the transcendent.
The Basic Rules for the modern interpretation of the Quest:
1. For a period of at least 4 hours, leave your room or home and go out somewhere in nature, preferably to an unfamiliar place (if you have safety concerns, do this during the day and go to a place like Assiniboine Park). When you arrive, don’t plan ahead as to where you will go or what you will do. Just go where your instincts or intuitions tell you to go. Just wander (of course, don’t do anything dangerous).
2. Do this ALONE! This is very important! If you meet people you know, you may talk to them for a few minutes, but no longer than that. Continue on your way. Avoid interactions with technologies such as phones, ipods etc.
3. Try to eat lightly while you are doing this. Feeling a little hungry will help (of course, take all precautions to protect your health).
4. While you wander, concentrate on some question about yourself; something you want to know about yourself, or some problem you have been experiencing in your life. You could simply focus on “the meaning of life,” the question “Who am I?” or any similar question. Think, reflect, and ponder the question, but also allow your mind to drift (“let go,” daydream).
5. During the entire four hours, keep in mind that you are on a “Quest.” You are looking, waiting, and expecting something. Something will happen! There will be a sign that will give you an insight into the question. It could be something that happens to you, something you see or hear. The world out there will give you the sign! If you take the assignment seriously, a sign will appear! It may lead to a sudden realization, or a slow unravelling of an insight.
6. Take along a notebook or some paper, and a pen. Every half hour sit down and write. Note the time, the place, and what has happened. Write about your reactions to what is happening to you. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and insights. Write these notes for yourself! You do not have to hand them in. During your Quest, if you’re anxious, frustrated, or bored, ask yourself “why” and write about it. If nothing important has happened, think and write about why that is so. How could you make the Quest more effective?
TAKE THIS HANDOUT ALONG WITH YOU ON THE QUEST
THE FORMAL QUEST REPORT Due on October 10, 2013
In completing this assignment, you are required to follow some explicit directions:
1. Your assignment must be typed, the text must be double-spaced, margins must be one inch wide, and pages must be numbered.
2. Your report must include a title page that contains the name and number of the course, your name and student number, and a title you think is appropriate for your experience.
3. It is expected that your paper will be well written. IF YOU DO NOT WRITE WELL, HAVE SOMEONE PRO0F-READ YOUR PAPER WITH YOU.
4. Do not put the report in a cardboard or plastic folder; instead staple the upper left hand corner.
5. Your report is to be 5 - 6 pages in length.
6. Proof-read your paper before handing it in (“SPELL CHECK” IS NOT PROOF-READING!).
7. Use Canadian English (CE), (not US).
8. Use inclusive language. Acquaint yourself with the University of Manitoba’s Language Usage Guidelines.
Divide the paper into the follow sections and use these headings:
1. INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT ( one paragraph, approximately ½ page)
2. RITE OF PASSAGE THEORY ( See Jenny Hockey article ) (Approximately 1/2 page in length) Explain Van Gennep 's three phases of a rite of passage and support your understanding with citations from assigned articles and/or class discussion.
3.VISION QUEST AS RITE OF PASSAGE IN TRADITIONAL LAKOTA RELIGION: (See article by Martinez ) (Approximately 1 page in length) Use these three categories to demonstrate how the vision quest in the Lakota tradition can be understood in terms of Van Gennep 's theory of a rite of passage. Some of the following questions may be useful in forming your response.
a. Separation
How are the participants selected and separated from the rest of the community? Identify the preliminary activities of the Vision Quest and explain their importance.
b. Liminal phase
Describe activities that take place during the vision quest proper. Discuss the role of signs and explain how the devotee is changed or transformed by the experience.
c.Re-aggregation.
Is the relationship between the successful participant and the group changed in any way?
How does a successful Vision Quest benefit the individual? the group?
4. A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF A QUEST: (See article by Suler) . Although not equivalent to a Vision Quest in traditional Lakota society, modern individuals can gain insights through relatively short episodes of reflection in nature, according to John Suler. In his article, he suggests there are three phases to the modern Quest: Wandering, The Sign and Individuation/Unity. Read his article and then describe your own experience using those headings.
a. Wandering (from Suler). (.5 page) What did you think about the assignment initially? How did you prepare yourself? Where did you go for your four hours and how did you feel throughout?
b. The Sign (1 -1.5 page) In this section focus on the SIGN. Did you receive one, more than one? When? How did it happen? What did it reveal to you? If you didn’t receive a sign, write about that. Do you think there was a reason why you didn’t? What do you think about the whole idea of “receiving a sign?” Why? Be sure to take this section of the paper seriously, since it will be an important factor in determining your grade.
c. Individuation/Union.5 page) Note your reactions after finishing this exercise. Did the experience answer your question, alter your own thinking, behaviour or relationships with others? If not, speculate on the reasons why.
Note: This analysis of a Quest experience demands careful observation, considerable reflection on your experience, and concise writing. Reflective thinking is important in determining the validity of your Quest experience and whether it is adequate for understanding and guiding your behaviour. Concise writing is necessary so that others can easily understand you.
This component obviously, is about your personal reactions to the exercise. Feel free to say whatever you want. You are NOT graded on what you say and if you prefer not to mention certain things, that is fine. You may write in the first person, “I” for sections 4 and 5.
5. Reflections of a student researcher: (.5 page). How did your experience compare to Suler’s observations? Similarities? Differences? Do you feel that the physical experience of going on your own Quest gave you any insights into understanding a traditional Vision Quest?
6. Conclusion (.5 page)
7.WORKS CITED: Label a separate page as Works Cited (page 6) and include all works cited and consulted (may also include the Molloy Textbook). List all sources used in the paper in alphabetical order by author’s last name, e.g. Adams to Zinna. Use the MLA style for your citations. Free one-page handouts of the MLA stylesheet are available at campus libraries and online through the link to the University of Manitoba library website: http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/content.php?pid=356868&sid=2918541 or check on D2L.
Citations in the paper.
For in-text citations in your paper use the bracket method, for example (Suler 248) for print material and (Hockey) for electronic sources. If no page numbers appear on the electronic source you may cite it as (Jones n.pag.).
The sources listed below are required readings, but additional academic sources (from the library) can also be used.Include the following readings for your assignment (This assignment, in fact, is adapted from Suler, J., May, 1999):
Hockey, Jenny. "The Importance of being Intuitive: Arnold Van Gennep 's The Rites of Passage." Mortality 7.2 (2002):7 pp. EBSCO host full text. Web. 10 September, 2013. http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/umanitoba?sid=sfxit.com:citation&id=doi:10.1080/135762702317447768 (Available on-line through U of M 's e-library database- EBSCO host or through One Stop Search) Download the PDF file to read the Full Text Edition.
Note: When including this entry in the Works Cited section, make sure to add your own Date Retrieved instead of mine (10 September, 2013).
Martinez, David. "The Soul of the Indian: Lakota Philosophy and the Vision Quest." Wicazo SaReview 19.2 (2004): 25 pp. Project Muse. Web. 10 September, 2013. http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/umanitoba?issn=0749-6427&issue=2&volume=19&date=2013&spage=79
(Available on-line through U of M 's e-library database- EBSCO host or through One Stop Search) Download the PDF file to read the Full Text Edition.
Note: When including this entry in the Works Cited section, make sure to add your own Date Retrieved instead of mine (10 September, 2013).
Suler, John R. “Vision Quest,”in Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press (1993): 241-259. Print.
Available on Reserve in St. John 's College Library
Essay length. Marks will be deducted for papers shorter than five pages (not counting the Works Cited), or longer than seven pages. Use standard margins and 10-12 pt. font.
ESSAY MAPPING
INSTRUCTOR’S EVALUATION OF VISION QUEST REPORT
Student Name__________________________________ Student Number ____________
Reports will be graded according to their compliance with the instructions outlined above as well as on style and content; in particular the quality, accuracy, and creativeness of presentation.
Substance Comments
1 Introduction 0 .5 1.0 1.5
2. Theory of a Rite of Passage 0 1 2 3
3 Vision Quest in the Lakota Tradition 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
4. A Modern Vision Quest (Summary) 0 1 2 3 4
4 B. Discussion of The "Sign"/ and individuation 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
5. Reflections of a Researcher 0 1 2 3 4
6. Conclusion 0 .5 1.0 1.5
Quality
1. Appropriate use of reliable research sources. Research supports discussion. Evidence of understanding.
0 .5 1 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
2. Writing Technicalities : Format (title page, one side of paper, typed, double spaced, margins, page number, readability, headings,Works Cited, etc.) Grammar and Punctuation (plurals, possessives, subject-verb agreement, noun-pronoun agreement, misplaced modifiers, slang; use of commas, semicolons, colons, periods, quotation marks, parentheses, dashes, spelling, Canadian English, inclusive language, etc.)
0 .5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
3. Style (word usage, awkward sentences, wordy sentences, careless repetition, unity and coherence of paragraphs, unity and coherence of sections, transitions between paragraphs and sections, development of ideas, active-passive verbs, paragraph structure, etc.)
0 .5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Total /40 Final mark /10
The Quest: Journey into Nature
Adapted from John Suler (1999) and David Creamer.
This assignment will examine two different ways in which humans have used contact with nature as a way of finding meaning and direction. The first part of the essay will analyze the Vision Quest of the Native American Lakota tradition from the perspective of Van Gennep’s theory of a rite of passage. The second part of the assignment will look at a modern interpretation of the Quest using John Suler’s categories of: Wandering, The Sign and Individuation
In earlier societies, the Vision Quest was a way of attaining psychological and spiritual insights. Typically, a person would embark on a Quest as a rite of passage into adulthood (the “Walkabout” of the Aborigines of Australia, and the Vision Quest of the Lakota honour the tradition of adolescents going off into the wilderness to search for added meaning in their lives and for assistance in the struggle through the transitional stage of growing into adulthood), to find a solution to a crisis confronting the individual or group, or to attain truth about oneself and one’s world. …show more content…
In a broader sense, elements of the Vision Quest survive today in journey literature (Lost Horizons, Seven Years in Tibet), and something as ordinary as going for a walk or drive by oneself “to have time to think.” Carl Jung understood the Vision Quest—the idea of oneself as a wanderer, a seeker, a pilgrim—as a universal archetypical theme that surfaces in the lives of ordinary people as well as great religious leaders (Prince Siddhartha) and mythical heroes (Odysseus).
The ancient Vision Quest was characterized by several key elements:
1. Solitariness: it was done alone
2. A Physical Wandering from one’s normal environment
3. A Psychic Wandering of thoughts and emotions
4. Self-reflection and Self-questioning: seeking answers to a specific question about oneself (“Should I marry Jim?”) or a more existential question (“Who am I?”)
5. An attitude of searching, looking for, and expecting a “sign” or “vision”
This assignment is a drastic modification of the ancient Vision Quest! Your task is to go on a modern Quest, to write about it and to situate it in terms of theoretical models discussed in class.
Practising and benefiting from the Quest do not require a belief in the realm of the transcendent.
The Basic Rules for the modern interpretation of the Quest:
1. For a period of at least 4 hours, leave your room or home and go out somewhere in nature, preferably to an unfamiliar place (if you have safety concerns, do this during the day and go to a place like Assiniboine Park). When you arrive, don’t plan ahead as to where you will go or what you will do. Just go where your instincts or intuitions tell you to go. Just wander (of course, don’t do anything dangerous).
2. Do this ALONE! This is very important! If you meet people you know, you may talk to them for a few minutes, but no longer than that. Continue on your way. Avoid interactions with technologies such as phones, ipods etc.
3. Try to eat lightly while you are doing this. Feeling a little hungry will help (of course, take all precautions to protect your health).
4. While you wander, concentrate on some question about yourself; something you want to know about yourself, or some problem you have been experiencing in your life. You could simply focus on “the meaning of life,” the question “Who am I?” or any similar question. Think, reflect, and ponder the question, but also allow your mind to drift (“let go,” daydream).
5. During the entire four hours, keep in mind that you are on a “Quest.” You are looking, waiting, and expecting something. Something will happen! There will be a sign that will give you an insight into the question. It could be something that happens to you, something you see or hear. The world out there will give you the sign! If you take the assignment seriously, a sign will appear! It may lead to a sudden realization, or a slow unravelling of an insight.
6. Take along a notebook or some paper, and a pen. Every half hour sit down and write. Note the time, the place, and what has happened. Write about your reactions to what is happening to you. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and insights. Write these notes for yourself! You do not have to hand them in. During your Quest, if you’re anxious, frustrated, or bored, ask yourself “why” and write about it. If nothing important has happened, think and write about why that is so. How could you make the Quest more effective?
TAKE THIS HANDOUT ALONG WITH YOU ON THE QUEST
THE FORMAL QUEST REPORT Due on October 10, 2013
In completing this assignment, you are required to follow some explicit directions:
1. Your assignment must be typed, the text must be double-spaced, margins must be one inch wide, and pages must be numbered.
2. Your report must include a title page that contains the name and number of the course, your name and student number, and a title you think is appropriate for your experience.
3. It is expected that your paper will be well written. IF YOU DO NOT WRITE WELL, HAVE SOMEONE PRO0F-READ YOUR PAPER WITH YOU.
4. Do not put the report in a cardboard or plastic folder; instead staple the upper left hand corner.
5. Your report is to be 5 - 6 pages in length.
6. Proof-read your paper before handing it in (“SPELL CHECK” IS NOT PROOF-READING!).
7. Use Canadian English (CE), (not US).
8. Use inclusive language. Acquaint yourself with the University of Manitoba’s Language Usage Guidelines.
Divide the paper into the follow sections and use these headings:
1. INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT ( one paragraph, approximately ½ page)
2. RITE OF PASSAGE THEORY ( See Jenny Hockey article ) (Approximately 1/2 page in length) Explain Van Gennep 's three phases of a rite of passage and support your understanding with citations from assigned articles and/or class discussion.
3.VISION QUEST AS RITE OF PASSAGE IN TRADITIONAL LAKOTA RELIGION: (See article by Martinez ) (Approximately 1 page in length) Use these three categories to demonstrate how the vision quest in the Lakota tradition can be understood in terms of Van Gennep 's theory of a rite of passage. Some of the following questions may be useful in forming your response.
a. Separation
How are the participants selected and separated from the rest of the community? Identify the preliminary activities of the Vision Quest and explain their importance.
b. Liminal phase
Describe activities that take place during the vision quest proper. Discuss the role of signs and explain how the devotee is changed or transformed by the experience.
c.Re-aggregation.
Is the relationship between the successful participant and the group changed in any way?
How does a successful Vision Quest benefit the individual? the group?
4. A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF A QUEST: (See article by Suler) . Although not equivalent to a Vision Quest in traditional Lakota society, modern individuals can gain insights through relatively short episodes of reflection in nature, according to John Suler. In his article, he suggests there are three phases to the modern Quest: Wandering, The Sign and Individuation/Unity. Read his article and then describe your own experience using those headings.
a. Wandering (from Suler). (.5 page) What did you think about the assignment initially? How did you prepare yourself? Where did you go for your four hours and how did you feel throughout?
b. The Sign (1 -1.5 page) In this section focus on the SIGN. Did you receive one, more than one? When? How did it happen? What did it reveal to you? If you didn’t receive a sign, write about that. Do you think there was a reason why you didn’t? What do you think about the whole idea of “receiving a sign?” Why? Be sure to take this section of the paper seriously, since it will be an important factor in determining your grade.
c. Individuation/Union.5 page) Note your reactions after finishing this exercise. Did the experience answer your question, alter your own thinking, behaviour or relationships with others? If not, speculate on the reasons why.
Note: This analysis of a Quest experience demands careful observation, considerable reflection on your experience, and concise writing. Reflective thinking is important in determining the validity of your Quest experience and whether it is adequate for understanding and guiding your behaviour. Concise writing is necessary so that others can easily understand you.
This component obviously, is about your personal reactions to the exercise. Feel free to say whatever you want. You are NOT graded on what you say and if you prefer not to mention certain things, that is fine. You may write in the first person, “I” for sections 4 and 5.
5. Reflections of a student researcher: (.5 page). How did your experience compare to Suler’s observations? Similarities? Differences? Do you feel that the physical experience of going on your own Quest gave you any insights into understanding a traditional Vision Quest?
6. Conclusion (.5 page)
7.WORKS CITED: Label a separate page as Works Cited (page 6) and include all works cited and consulted (may also include the Molloy Textbook). List all sources used in the paper in alphabetical order by author’s last name, e.g. Adams to Zinna. Use the MLA style for your citations. Free one-page handouts of the MLA stylesheet are available at campus libraries and online through the link to the University of Manitoba library website: http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/content.php?pid=356868&sid=2918541 or check on D2L.
Citations in the paper.
For in-text citations in your paper use the bracket method, for example (Suler 248) for print material and (Hockey) for electronic sources. If no page numbers appear on the electronic source you may cite it as (Jones n.pag.).
The sources listed below are required readings, but additional academic sources (from the library) can also be used.Include the following readings for your assignment (This assignment, in fact, is adapted from Suler, J., May, 1999):
Hockey, Jenny. "The Importance of being Intuitive: Arnold Van Gennep 's The Rites of Passage." Mortality 7.2 (2002):7 pp. EBSCO host full text. Web. 10 September, 2013. http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/umanitoba?sid=sfxit.com:citation&id=doi:10.1080/135762702317447768 (Available on-line through U of M 's e-library database- EBSCO host or through One Stop Search) Download the PDF file to read the Full Text Edition.
Note: When including this entry in the Works Cited section, make sure to add your own Date Retrieved instead of mine (10 September, 2013).
Martinez, David. "The Soul of the Indian: Lakota Philosophy and the Vision Quest." Wicazo SaReview 19.2 (2004): 25 pp. Project Muse. Web. 10 September, 2013. http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/umanitoba?issn=0749-6427&issue=2&volume=19&date=2013&spage=79
(Available on-line through U of M 's e-library database- EBSCO host or through One Stop Search) Download the PDF file to read the Full Text Edition.
Note: When including this entry in the Works Cited section, make sure to add your own Date Retrieved instead of mine (10 September, 2013).
Suler, John R. “Vision Quest,”in Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press (1993): 241-259. Print.
Available on Reserve in St. John 's College Library
Essay length. Marks will be deducted for papers shorter than five pages (not counting the Works Cited), or longer than seven pages. Use standard margins and 10-12 pt. font.
ESSAY MAPPING
INSTRUCTOR’S EVALUATION OF VISION QUEST REPORT
Student Name__________________________________ Student Number ____________
Reports will be graded according to their compliance with the instructions outlined above as well as on style and content; in particular the quality, accuracy, and creativeness of presentation.
Substance Comments
1 Introduction 0 .5 1.0 1.5
2. Theory of a Rite of Passage 0 1 2 3
3 Vision Quest in the Lakota Tradition 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
4. A Modern Vision Quest (Summary) 0 1 2 3 4
4 B. Discussion of The "Sign"/ and individuation 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
5. Reflections of a Researcher 0 1 2 3 4
6. Conclusion 0 .5 1.0 1.5
Quality
1. Appropriate use of reliable research sources. Research supports discussion. Evidence of understanding.
0 .5 1 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
2. Writing Technicalities : Format (title page, one side of paper, typed, double spaced, margins, page number, readability, headings,Works Cited, etc.) Grammar and Punctuation (plurals, possessives, subject-verb agreement, noun-pronoun agreement, misplaced modifiers, slang; use of commas, semicolons, colons, periods, quotation marks, parentheses, dashes, spelling, Canadian English, inclusive language, etc.)
0 .5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
3. Style (word usage, awkward sentences, wordy sentences, careless repetition, unity and coherence of paragraphs, unity and coherence of sections, transitions between paragraphs and sections, development of ideas, active-passive verbs, paragraph structure, etc.)
0 .5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Total /40 Final mark /10