The rite of passage has
been in existence for thousands of years. Traditionally
a rite of passage
involves a
young adolescent going out into nature solo when he is ready to
transition into manhood. In the Native American Indian culture this
ceremony was known as a 'vision quest'. However tribal cultures from
around the world have performed a similar ritual and cermony to mark
the passage
from childhood into adulthood.
For
example, the
Australian Aboriginals
went on a walkabout to mark the passage. Their young adolescents
would go solo out into nature and roam the land of their ancestors,
often for months at a time. In modern times, seekers from other
religions also go on a similar 'walkabout' known as a pilgrimage to
places such as Mecca in the Middle East, Lourdes in Europe and
Stonehenge in England.
These
rites of
passage are vitally
important aspects of the life transition from childhood into
adulthood and are less and less frequent in today's society. This is
probably why there are a lot of grown men who feel like small boys
and fully grown women with the maturity of little girls. Naturally,
no-one is to blame because it appears that in modern culture the
traditional rite of passage has been forgotten or ignored.
As
children we grow
up and believe the
way the world appears is the way the world is. However, during a rite
of passage the traditional children get to see into their souls. They
get to see who it is they really are and what their calling is.
Essentially they get to 'grow up' and lead towards meaningful and
productive lives.
Perhaps
the most
important aspect of
undertaking a rite of passage is that the children spend time alone
in nature. They spend time away from their tribe. They spend time
away from their traditional roles and immerse themselves in nature.
Immersing themselves in nature allows them to then confront their
fears head-on. Rather than being in the protective wrap of their
culture they are alone and exposed to the elements. Exposed to face
their own demons.
It
is only by
confronting their fears
that the children can pass into adulthood during a rite of passage.
When they stare at their own fears an amazing process happens. They
get to see that often their fears are a figment of their imagination.
They get to see there really is nothing 'out there' that will hurt
them. This process allows the constant chatter in their mind to slow
down and appear as though it stops.
This
relief is
similar to the Buddhist
concept of enlightenment. In fact, Buddha undertook a form of a rite
of passage by going alone to sit under the Bodhi tree. Time spent
alone in nature allows your mind to slow down. It is in this slowing
that you can then get to see nature surrounding you. You get to see
that there is no separation between you and nature. You also get to
see the patterns and cycles in nature and how they relate to your
life.
However,
a rite of
passage is more than
just confronting your fears and becoming aware of your surroundings.
During this period of being alone in nature, traditionally the young
adolescent would start to see signs and patterns in nature. He would
hear the whispers of his soul within. He would hear the voices of the
spirits in the wind. He would understand the messages of the ancient
wisdom of the plants surrounding him. He would hear the messages of
the birds and animals who come to visit him.
During
this phase of
his rite of
passage he would get to see what his role is to be for the rest of
his life. The messages would give him purpose and direction for his
life. In short, during his rite of passage he would get to see what
it is he was to contribute to his tribe and hence make the transition
from childhood into adulthood.
After
he has seen his
vision and got
his direction during his rite of passage, the young adolescent would
then return to his tribe and sit with an elder. The elder would
usually be the medicine man. The young adolescent would then relate
his visions and direction to the medicine man and the medicine man
would interpret the dreams and symbols back to the adolescent. This
phase of integration completes the rite of passage from childhood to
adulthood, as the young adolescent then takes up a role in his tribe
related to his vision quest. Traditionally this is the process
ancient tribes undertook whilst performing a rite of passage.