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"Your energy and wisdom have guided us all through an extraordinary process of self-discovery that we will never forget, and will nourish our souls for the rest of our lives. From my work in the corporate world I know how hard it is to pull these sorts of events off, yet you have made it look effortless…the extent of your preparation, your knowledge and experience… and your complete belief in the power of the work you do." -Giles Newman, British Columbia
Registration now closed for our March 2019 Program. Stay tuned for future events!
Join fellow seekers March 25- April 1, 2019 for this magical week of soul-healing and self-discovery in the rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan desert of southwest Texas. Deserts have been the setting for direct encounters w
ith the sacred throughout human history and now you have the opportunity to experience the magic yourself in a safe and heart-opening wilderness setting.
Led by Jeff Nixa and assisted by Jessica Merwin, this program is a rare opportunity to experience desert solitude far from the distractions and stress of city life, phones and TV. The program will be held on a private, 150-acre desert mountain ranch near Terlingua ghost town, Big Bend National Park, and the beautiful Rio Grande River border regions.
Participants can choose between two alternative courses of study: the School of the Wind group retreat, and a traditional wilderness vision quest. Both programs are based at the same facility and participants will meet together at various times during the week.
The School of The Wind is an intensive retreat for connecting deeply with nature and exploring the wildness of one's heart, to discover what is needed for a more satisfying, joyful, and purposeful life. This program is the real deal: a self-help program with teeth that will help you identify and break your particular patterns of busyness, anxiety, helplessness, or stagnation and get moving again in the direction of your heart's invitations. Participants will learn to awaken the navigational system of their instinctual heart, explore the soul directly, develop a vision forward for one's life, and identify the barriers to living the kind of life your heart really longs to live. A rare opportunity to reboot your life and connect with spirit in a gorgeous natural setting with great people.
The Vision Quest is a classic solo experience for clarifying one's purpose and direction in life, a rite of passage common to many indigenous societies worldwide. (Video: participants share their stories from our Sept. '18 vision quest.) Participants will begin with the other group above, but receive special preparation and support for two days and nights of solo fasting and prayer in the desert, to connect deeply with nature, receive healing, and get clarity on some key question, struggle, or situation in one's life. The vision quest is ideal for persons in need of direction: navigating a big decision, a school, work or life transition, a relationship change or loss, spiritual questioning, or just feeling stuck, stagnant or uncertain in life.
The teachings and preparation for both programs are rooted in the ancient, time-tested spiritual wisdom of native cultures in North America, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru. Upon registering, participants will receive a series of informational videos and written information to help prepare body, mind and spirit for the adventure.
Watch our new video about the program:
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The Program Settingx
Both programs are based at a rustic retreat facility in the gorgeous Big Bend region of southwest Texas, situated on the side of a mountain overlooking thousands of acres of open desert. We spend several days together exploring the land and getting familiar with the wildlife, weather and ecosystem. Group sessions around the campfire, rooted in the ancient curanderismo traditions of the Americas, provide the core teachings of the program, as well as preparations for those doing the solo vision quest during the middle of the week. (The participants in the School of the Wind remain at base camp for continued sessions together, and help with safety checks/support for those out on solo quest.) When the solo questers return to base camp we all gather to share a meal, process individual experiences, clarify the visions gained and the new directions forward for each person. A powerful closing ceremony integrates the entire week's experience for all around a fire under the stars.
Our final day together is a fun and light exploration of area attractions, from a day trip into the historic Mexican border village of Boquillas, to hiking in Big Bend National Park, or just relaxing in the historic Terlingua Ghost Town.
Participants all share our base-camp housing, meals, cleanup/chores, and ceremony together. Average health and mobility are necessary for this program, but wilderness camping experience is not required. We can safely accommodate many (but not all) physical and health-related challenges. A detailed gear and clothing packing list is provided in advance with information about food, meals, water, toilets, climate, weather, and more. Experienced guidance is provided during the week on basic outdoor skills, safety measures, and peaceful relations with the desert wildlife. (Weather: March is an ideal month in this region for outdoor desert activities. Average daytime temps are in the 80's F. and rain is unlikely during this dry season.)
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Group Leader
Jeff Nixa brings a lifetime of outdoor experience and 30+ years’ professional work in health care, spiritual care and counseling to this program. (See About Jeff page.) His shamanic teachers have included Sandra Ingerman, Mikkal Smith, Harner Foundation faculty, teachers in the Amazon jungle and Andes mountains, Lakota spiritual elders from the Great Plains, and Cree elders in Canada.
Jeff's outdoor and wilderness leadership experience includes:
- Leader, Terlingua TX Vision Quest (Feb. 2017), Manitou Island Quest (2018)
- Leader, Manitou Island MI Vision Quest, Crow's Nest USA (2015)
- Certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid (WMI '15, WMA '18)
- Assistant Guide, Renewal in the Wilderness Tours (2010-12)
- Personal Vision Quests (three)- Manitou Island, MI (2009-15)
- Sea kayaking/coursework on Lake Huron, Michigan and Superior
- Wilderness canoe camping, BWCA in Minnesota/Canada
- Wilderness backpacking, Isle Royale and Yellowstone Nat. Parks
- Wilderness cross-country ski camping, Minnesota and Wisconsin
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Our Assistant
Jessica Merwin lives in and loves in Traverse City, Michigan. She has been exploring healing modalities such as yoga, qi-gong, meditation, shamanism, and dance since 2011, and knows the powerful shifts and healing that energy work brings to her life. Her love for music and movement-based energy practices led her to become a licensed Chakradance Facilitator. Exploring the chakras in detail with this modality led her to a greater level of understanding of the mind, body, and spirit connection.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Jessica completed a vision quest herself in our 2017 Texas program, participated in the Level 1 Shamanic Healer School training with Jeff, and was the assistant for our 2018 vision quest program on Manitou Island, MI. We're blessed to have her capable outdoor skills, vibrant energy, and musical heart in our program!
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"The vision quest for me was an amazing adventure. It truly helped to shift my path in the direction I hoped for without the fear of “what if”! I loved how it quieted my mind on the mountain and amazingly that chatter has not returned. Clearness truly comes from my heart not my head, I love that! Thank you again for making this all possible!!!" -Mary Lou, Arizona
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Registration and Fees:
- Early bird discount is $595. if received by Nov. 30, 2018.
- Regular registration fee is $655. after Nov. 30th.
- 50% of the full program fee (nonrefundable) due upon acceptance to hold your spot. Balance due by Feb. 1, 2019.
- Registration fee includes full tuition for the program, ranch lodging, and simple meals prepared on-site. Does not include travel to/from our program site (see below for travel info).
- Download the Desert Solitaire Application '19 form here and email it back to Jeff per the instructions. (The application is a simple Word document. If you have trouble with the download just email Jeff for an application at greatplainsguide@gmail.com. )
- Jeff will contact you for a time to chat and answer any additional questions.
- Upon acceptance, you will be invoiced for 50% of the full program fee to hold your spot. The balance of your fees is due January 30th, 2019.
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Transportation:
Participants arrange their own transportation to and from our group meetup point in Alpine, TX, the nearest town to our desert site. The closest major airport is Midland/Odessa airport (MAF) for those who choose to fly to the area. Rental cars and bus transportation are available from the airport to Alpine (~ 2 hrs). Our whole group will meet up in Alpine, then carpool/caravan together from Alpine to our desert site (~ 1 hr.) Full transportation information and shuttle details provided in the program materials upon acceptance, with additional support from Jeff and assistant.x
Contact Jeff for additional information.
"Jeff’s teachings, guidance and preparation for the vision quest were invaluable. The amount of stillness during the quest is simply profound. There were times I struggled with my mind, boredom, hunger, and other times I felt immense peace and love towards myself and all beings. I sat with the elements for two days and two nights, and during that time they seeped into my bones and soul, and will always be a part of me. As I ended my journey I couldn’t help but feel a wise old sage had awakened in me, and I feel more connected to all things, people and places. I am forever grateful and forever changed. Thank you." -Jessica Merwin, Michigan.x
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