The Quest we teach comes from Grandfather Stalking Wolf (Lipan) as passed down from Tom Brown, Jr.. Grandfather’s Vision, in part, was to find the common spiritual truths among the world’s religions and cultures. As such, this Quest is not Lipan but, rather, a distillation of the core experience that is the Essence of a Vision Quest.
All facilitators have undertaken multiple quests and each brings a unique perspective to the experience; Questors are likely to find a supportive sounding board for questions and concerns. Protectors include:
Dawn Hansen is a long-time student of Earth-living skills and Earth-centered philosophies, and brings a strong feminine perspective to Questing. She works as a massage and craniosacral therapist. Her considerable experience with Vision Questing enables her to effectively support quest participants. Dawn first quested in 1994, studied quest protection with Malcolm Ringwalt, and has been co-facilitating quests since 1996. She has continued to study with Malcolm Ringwalt including Advanced Seven Levels of Quest. Dawn also attended multiple women’s spiritual retreats with Allyson Rice of The Total Human.
Matthew Hansen’s life-long love of nature led him to study the “survival” skills and philosophies of the Earth’s indigenous cultures at Tom Brown’s Tracker School. Matt works as a forest entomologist and his involvement with Quest facilitation is in response to the experience of his first Vision Quest in 1993. He has since completed 16 Vision Quests including a 10-day quest, several shorter Vision Quests (1-2 days), and countless others quests (see Seven Levels). Matt studied quest protection with Karl “Bear” Povisils and Malcolm Ringwalt in 1995 and has been guiding quests since 1996, previously with EarthFire Outdoor Education. Matt has continued to study with Malcolm Ringwalt (Advanced Protector Training, Teacher Training for Protector Training Course, Teacher Training for Seven Levels of Quest, and Advanced Seven Levels of Quest, among other courses).
Bill Howard was trained in Quest protection by Malcolm Ringwalt and has experience questing and protecting large quests (>30 people). He runs questing programs in Virginia with Earth Reconnect. “Over the course of my life I have been called to serve mostly in the role of protector. I was also called to seek the physical and spiritual skills of the ancients. My path has lead me to military service, religion, martial arts, and various other searches. Finally, in my 40’s I stumbled across the teachings I had so longed for. They combine the physical, the spiritual and so much more. Now in my 50’s I wish to share what my teachers so unselfishly shared with me. Maybe, just maybe, this sharing will help lessen someone else’s effort.”
Scott DeBerard first quested in 2006 and was trained in quest protection by Malcolm Ringwalt of The Oneness Quest. Scott has been facilitating quests since 2014. He is a licensed psychologist in Utah and faculty member at Utah State University.
Holly Stokes, The Brain Trainer, 3 time Author, Speaker and Master NLP Coach, has more than 20 years experience in the field of applied psychology. She has worked with thousands of clients in ‘rewiring’ the brain out of old habits, fears, stress and the sabotage that steals health and vitality. She created the A Lighter You! System to address the REAL reasons we gain weight: old habits, cravings, mental blocks and lack of motivation. Through Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis and Coaching, she loves inspiring clients to lead healthier, happier lives of purpose and achievement. Holly was trained in quest facilitation by Malcolm Ringwalt and Bear Povisils.
The Source Within 