At Pacific Quest the students choose to go on a 3 night, 2 day Rites of Passage/solo fashioned about the model of a Vision Quest . They prepare by reading books that focus on the solo experience, do assignments that focus on severance and beginning a new story in their life, and create an intent that focuses on the gifts they are claiming for themselves. Though all the preparation work is crucial, the actual experience the students have out there on their own, no one can prepare them for because it is sometimes the most powerful experience the teen has ever had. I have been humbled and impressed by the words and thoughts that come from this experience when the students return to share their story.
Below is an excerpt from a student’s journal at the end of her solo. When I heard it, it brought tears to my eyes, and I feel lucky she is letting me share it with all of you.
“My solo is drawing to a close. The earth has completed another rotation. The sun begins to set in the sky. Upon waking in the morning, I’ll pack up and head to base. I’ll walk back through the threshold. I’ll eat peanut butter and jelly and begin the process of incorporation. I can’t say I’m not relieved. I’m hungry and bored and lonely. But what I’ve experienced here, I wouldn’t trade for anything. I will return to the world a different person, a woman who has come into her intent, a woman with a renewed passion for life and love for herself. I will look in the mirror and I will not cringe. I will smile at the sight of this girl who is caring, intelligent, affectionate, creative, adventurous, and wise. A young woman who has been through so much and yet so little. So tomorrow, as I watch the sun go up and prepare to pack up my stuff, I will know that this is not an end but a beginning. The beginning of the rest of my life.”
–Pacific Quest Student
2 Comments
Wow! Love the excerpt from the student’s journal. You guys do good work!
Thank you for sharing this. This PQ student’s journal entry gave me “chicken skin” while reading it!