Calling In Our Collective Wisdom

By Kurt Kutay

As an outdoor explorer and seeker of my own internal realms, I thrive in the wild and the supportive community of friends and family with whom I share my journey. The programs and people of Rite of Passage Journeys are one of my pathways to discover, learn and share wisdom for my personal and our collective conscious evolution. When I was called to be part of Journeys’ Elder Wisdom Council this summer, I loved the opportunity to serve the organization and support youth headed out on their summer adventures fostering self-discovery, community belonging and a connection with the natural world.

Our small group of elders included past and present Journeys Board members, former trip participants, and supportive volunteers like myself. We assigned ourselves in groups of 2-3 to be present to witness and honor the journey of summer participants (we dubbed them “Questers”) before they depart and to recognize and celebrate them on their return. In as much as our role is to support the Questers through our lived experience, what I discovered is that the wisdom of our Council isn’t sourced from our elder enlightenment, but more so by simply being present to hold space for our collective wisdom to unfold, as it befits and supports each of the individual Questers at the start and end of their Rite of Passage Journey.

Within hours of checking in at the Journeys Bothell basecamp and saying goodbye to their family who delivered them, each participant is directed up a path through the forest following the sound of an African welcome drumbeat to find a few grey-haired elders gathered in a “Listening Circle”, a small circle we hold sacred on the threshold of their big adventure ahead.

After friendly hellos and introductions, we ask about their family and friends they are leaving behind and gently prompt conversation about what drew them to the journey (most often it’s “my parents”). We query what they expect to happen, what concerns they may have about their adventure, and what they hope to discover. We get to know them as initiates, and, when the group returns, we are present to bear witness as the first human beings they sit with to share their stories, newfound gifts and passions they now envision for themselves and the world. One sage piece of advice we offer them is not to share anything about their experience they may not be ready to share or that they want to hold for themselves deeply and privately forever as their own treasure!

It’s truly an honor to be in their presence in this moment of their lives, to listen, to laugh and to acknowledge their strengths and accomplishments. Some are deeply personal physical or mental achievements, while for some it may be more about learning how to be present and supportive of others in their community. As Journeys elders we are already familiar with the rituals, ceremony, fun games and loving guidance that skilled and heart-centered Journeys guide teams facilitate on each trip. But nature presents itself in unexpected ways on every adventure, and each group brings its own social dynamics and shared life experiences into the mix. As a result, every journey and each experience of every Quester deserves to be heard and honored.

We get to listen to how participants are tested by physical and mental challenges in nature from leaving home and creature comforts behind (such as hot showers and home-cooked-meals), to learning outdoor skills and how they managed their Solo vigil. Some share how they learned to listen and communicate better in council circles around the fire each night, supporting each other and resolving conflict — all of which leads to a deepening relationship with nature and personal transformation in their own rite of passage.

By the way, we also invite each of the trip leaders into our circle, to give them any support they may need as they accept the responsibility as guardians and guides of young Questers, embarking together on their adventure into the wild. Every trip has an experienced lead and assistant guide, and a mentor guide, and each one of them appreciated the opportunity to be held in our sacred circle. We recognized the transition from their own busy world and acknowledged that they are not just trekking through mountains but to honor how they traverse into minds and hearts as counselors, mentors, guides and guardians. They all felt recognized and held by the organization.

Ancient traditions and modern practices of rites of passage are designed to strengthen individuals, families, and communities as a whole. Initiates learn what it means to be a responsible community member, while exploring unique personal gifts that can be used to live their best life and to serve others. Indeed, in the present context of challenging family dynamics and the multiple crises facing our world at home and abroad, the staff, guides and mentors of Journeys do this work to heal our souls, deepen our connections with others, and create community that protects and sustains life on our Mother Earth.

Summer departures for youth (and adults) are scheduled and booking up. If you are called to go out in the wild in 2022, or you know someone who may be inspired, I invite you to call Rite of Passage Journeys, and talk to one of the staff and amazing trip leaders. I have personally witnessed the transformation that Rites of Passage inspires in others. As much as I get out hiking, camping, SUP surfing, mountain biking and traveling the world, the opportunity to support others on their life changing adventures in the wild or traveling abroad is a community that brings me great joy and meaning in my life, sharing the wisdom we all bring to our world.

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