Sacred Journeysby John Jay Koriath and Kathryn TrueOne of the articles in Generation NExT (IC#43)
Though the symbolic markers of societal rights and responsibilities are now less distinct and seldom occur at the same time, our need to celebrate and integrate these transitions into the fabric of life has not diminished. The challenge for us today is to draw on the wisdom of both ancient and modern times to create meaningful rites of passage. Rites that succeed in this effort make use of ceremony as an agent of change. They create a context in which positive experiential learning can take place and an individual's role is not narrowly defined or expressively constrained. Ceremonial rites can challenge us to evolve our way of living and relating by developing a mythological story in our own lives. Thoughts, feelings, actions, and the relationship between ourselves, others, and our shared world combine to provide a rich arena in which meaning can be discovered and our story can unfold. One organization that has explored this arena is the Institute for Cultural Affairs (ICA). Over the past 27 years, ICA has drawn on its network spanning 31 countries to evolve rites of passage programs that make use of wilderness settings and honor the cultural traditions from which they're drawn. ICA programs include the Coming of Age Journey, Tour de Cultures, and Vision Quest. The Coming of Age Journey is for 6th and 7th graders and uses the metaphor of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey to mark a transition from childhood into youth. Campbell's hero, who is drawn from ancient and modern mythologies of East and West, depicts an individual, who - though initially reluctant to respond to Life's call - nonetheless embarks on a journey of trials characterized by both failure and success. This hero is ultimately forced to confront death and must use the wisdom of the heart to find safe passage into new life. ICA weaves this metaphor through a ropes course that challenges the group to scale a 14-foot wall by themselves. They participate in the cleansing and purification ritual of the Native American sweat lodge, and each child spends 24 hours alone without food or sleep, tending their fire, and writing reflections in a journal. This vigil marks their transition from childhood to youth. Finally, an incorporation weekend with parents sets the groundwork for how new learnings will affect their rights and responsibilities in everyday life. The Tour de Cultures is for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. Youth explore the various cultures of Washington's Puget Sound region through 600 miles of bicycling, community service, participation in cultural events, and various ceremonial activities designed to foster citizenship in a diverse world. The Vision Quest is for high school students. It serves to mark a journey that must be taken as an individual: the journey from youth into adulthood. Mind, spirit, and body are challenged. Youth are guided to trust nature as land-based peoples did. Reflection, dialogue, and sweat lodge purification prepare the youth for a three-day solo vigil in the wilderness. Rites of passage can also bring deeper meaning to existing youth programs. In Fall Creek, Wisconsin, the Sons of Norway offer a camp with Viking Age crafts, sports, and storytelling, along with more modern aspects of Norwegian culture such as language, music, and food. This year for the first time, the Viking theme was taken to a new level with the introduction of the idrottir and the Fellowship of Yggdrasil. The idrottir are a series of accomplishments (both intellectual and athletic) that were valued during the Viking age, and for which challenging and safe activities were created for the campers. Pursuit of one or more idrottir was voluntary, but the campers who reached their goals in three or more skill areas were initiated into the Fellowship of Yggdrasil on the last night of camp. In the following articles, youth who have participated in these programs tell their stories and highlight the impact and significance of entering ceremonial space and sacred time to honor life transitions. This section concludes with an explanation of wilderness rites, their origins, and the elements of typical modern quests. Road Markersby Ellie Roper-Ater, |