Since my youth, wilderness initiation rituals have fascinated me and called me. When I ventured alone into nature for extended periods with minimal sustenance, I always had an incredible revelation. I grew internally.

I did not conceive these rites. They have existed for a long time, lost in our Western societies, but still observed in certain cultures. For instance, in some regions of the Sahara, they would send their children into the desert for ten days with some water and flour. Meanwhile, Native Americans had their hunting rituals, just like the Masai in Africa.

But why such rituals?

Personally, I believe they serve to mature our soul. Carl Jung describes them as a transition from the "I" to the "Self", while Buddha explains it as a detoxification of the soul.

These experiences have consistently matured my ego, transitioning from a narcissistic entity seeking pleasure to a more balanced and mature individual.

I am convinced that in our contemporary society, the absence of these rites has disrupted the emotional maturity development of many of us.

But why?

Because truly encountering ourselves scares the shit out off us, emotionally, and it seems easier and safer to maintain ourselves in a sweet and comfortable (des)illusion. However, sometimes when a drastic change imposes itself upon us, the veils fall, and the disillusionment is heavy and painfull.

But good news folks, it is not necessary to reach this "shock" stage to change, but merely realize that the fear of our own emotions is a reality and it is precisely this that keeps us imprisoned. Chronic stress, generated by an inability to handle life's unpredictability and resulting in negative emotions, disrupts the balance of our brain, making us dependent on these emotional patterns. (George F Koob, 2015)

Overcoming these fears requires, above all, valuing ourselves, deeming ourselves capable of compassionately observing what needs to be observed within us. It is primarily about self-love because the vulnerability into which this plunges us is immense and disconcerting.

For me, it is about willingly placing myself in discomfort, in an environment larger and more powerful than myself, Nature. However, risk management remains crucial because the goal is to emerge more alive than ever.

But I assure you, the risk is primarily emotional because our primal fears resurface when we are alone under a pine tree, with the starry sky as our roof, and the sounds of the forest as our lullaby. When we overcome those illusions, nature do the job and transforms kick in.

To heal, evolve, and mature, we return to our roots, employing the best therapist - our environment.

For me, that is the purpose of those journey/rites in the great outdoors

Pierre