Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide Training ~ Lima East, in the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia
Wilderness Rites of Passage have been practiced in cultures around the world as a way to celebrate and transition from one phase of life to the next - to leave behind what no longer serves and step into life as it is now. These can be developmental phases of life, like moving from adolescence to adulthood, or the many other transitions we face throughout our lives. In this modern day, there is much value in returning to wild places to remind us that as humans we are deeply connected to and part of nature. Just as the seasons shift, we too have profound changes in our lives that are calling out to be recognized through ceremony and marked with clear intention. We are able to see ourselves and be seen in profound and accepting ways when we are witnessed by others as well as mirrored by the natural world.
This experiential training will support you in learning the bare bones of this ancient and yet modern ceremony. You will learn how to prepare and support people in creating meaningful and powerful wilderness rites of passage and incorporate the experience back into the community. This training is taught by Ruth Wharton and Pedro McMillan who bring with them decades of guiding and training experience through the School of Lost Borders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reintroducing Rites of Passage around the world for more than 40 years.
This training will experientially teach you how to guide Wilderness Rites of Passage with specific focus on the following topics:
Council Practices and Creating a Safe and Inclusive Container
4 Shields of Human Nature Teaching*Screening and Preparation of participants*Intention Setting
Physical and Emotional Safety*Self Generated Ceremony*Cultural Appropriation*4 Day and Night Solo*Story Mirroring and Storytelling*Incorporation of the Experience*Various Applications of these Practices with Various Populations
Continued Mentoring and Support
Dates: April 4-19, 2020. Please plan to arrive by 4pm on April 4th. We will plan to end no later than 3pm on April 19th.
Tuition: $1900 AUDConcession: $1400 AUD (some additional scholarships available)
Required Reading- ‘The Trail to the Sacred Mountain’ and ‘The Roaring of the Sacred River: The Wilderness Quest for Vision and Self Healing’. Both by Steven Foster and Meredith Little and available through Lost Borders Press- coyoteculture.com
Practical Preparations: Please be prepared to be self sufficient with your own gear and food. There will be a group kitchen available for use where you may cook individually or with other group members. Most days we will be together in council, so please bring a comfortable chair. An equipment list will be sent to you once you register.
Registration or Questions: Email Ruth at ruthwharton@yahoo.com.To secure a spot in the training a nonrefundable deposit of $500 AUD is required as well as submitting forms. You will also be asked to write a letter explaining why you are drawn to this training as well as what transitions or personal process you are currently facing.