Watch out when you are on that "spiritual quest".

Grateful said:
So has she been found or is she still out there?
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I've written to a friend of hers to find out if there are any new developments as I have not been able to find a new report about her since June 15th.
Given that S&R search ended so soon, it's my sense that authorities have concluded she's likely not in the woods at all and got into a vehicle on a dirt road (where the tracking dogs lots her scent) and so she could be anywhere.

One wonders if this was some sort of planned disappearance, since she was on probation for some drug-related charge and had recently been in court about it. That's my hope anyway, as the alternatives are all more grim for her.

It's also odd that the friends she was camping with let her wander off naked this way at night. Something's not right with the story as I see it. The police may know more than they are prepared to let on right now.
Fingers crossed for her safe return.

Hope this helps,
- Martin
 
Kind of different. I've never heard of an Indian north, central or south here doing something like this. Seems like only Caucasions do these damn wierd things in the bush.
 
upnorth said:
Kind of different. I've never heard of an Indian north, central or south here doing something like this. Seems like only Caucasions do these damn wierd things in the bush.
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The concept of seeking a guiding vision in a place in nature isolated from others is common to most American Indian tribes.

The Lakota Sioux word for Vision Quest is Hembleciya (ham-blay-che-ya). The word Hembleciya translates to “Crying for a Dream.” This refers to the “Quester” both physically and internally crying for a Vision or Sacred Dream.

Sometimes this ceremony is called “going up on the hill,” because people would often go to a nearby mountain or butte to complete their Vision Quest.

Typically the quest is completed deep in nature, far away from civilization. At times it can be done closer to where people live, but located in a pit dug deep into the ground.

The person on the Vision Quest either chooses or is told the location for their Quest. They are also instructed in all preparations and on how many days and nights the quest will last by a Medicine Person (aka Holy Person). This Medicine Person will guide the Quester in all aspects of the ceremony and provide spiritual support and guidance.

Before a Vision Quest is started the Quester is purified in a sweat lodge, often over many days. On the day of the quest they start their fast at sunrise. They also forgo sleep and food. They give up all that it takes to live in the physical world and rely on the strength of spirit to sustain them for the duration of the quest.

The Quester is purified one last time in a sweat lodge ceremony and then taken to the designated place of the quest. There they will stay without food, water or sleep for one to four nights. During this time the person focuses their heart, mind, body, and spirit on the guidance they are seeking. They must overcome their earthly wants and desires and face their human nature to fully receive the Vision.
Upon completion of the Quest they are brought back to a sweat lodge. There, the Quester speaks of his or her experience to a Medicine Person who provides spiritual guidance and interpretation of the Vision. The Medicine Person helps the Quester understand his or her experience.

The Vision that is received will provide guidance to the person for the rest of their life. Some people are called to do many Vision Quests over the course of their lifetime.
Hallucinogenic medicines (such as peyote) will sometimes be used to aid in the quest.
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http://www.overhillcherokee.com/quest.htm
 
Well, maybe she found the spirits. Or maybe they found her...

I don't get all worked up over stuff like this. If it turns out to be a tragedy, it was her own doing. I've known far too many people who never had a shot at a decent life due to unfortunate circumstances to feel an ounce of sympathy for an idiot who throws that gift away.
 
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