I can’t tell you how excited I am to be traveling in May with Sheri Rosenthal to some of the most amazing and sacred sites of the Southwest. As a former resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico for 16 years, I visited Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon often. I also came to know many of the descendants of the ancient Anasazi among the Pueblo people living along the Rio Grande. I ate with them, celebrated with them, laughed with them, and learned from them. The roots of their cultures are still strong and true, and I know from firsthand experience that they can help us discover our own roots to the truth within ourselves.

This journey to the Southwest will be very special, and it will be much more than a sightseeing trip. In fact, Sheri and I plan to make it a kind of vision quest — a fascinating journey into the past in which you will have the daily opportunity to see the truth of you being reflected in the present. Our intent is to pass on a way of seeing that goes far deeper than the usual surface seeing, and along with it an ability to commune and communicate with your surroundings and the “Great Spirit” in much the same way the ancient ones did.

If you are interested in this journey and would like to know how to prepare for it, I will make three simple suggestions:

One, focus more on silence and emptiness. Be quieter than usual. Notice and appreciate other people and your surroundings without having to comment on them, either mentally or out loud. When you do speak, be aware of the intent behind your words. Take silent walks from time to time with a different focus. Instead of noticing the objects on your walk, notice the space in between the objects, the space that allows everything to be. Let the habitual focus on yourself relax and dissolve, expanding until you feel your “self” as a natural extension of the spirit that flows through all things. This is the way the ancient Anasazi lived and perceived—simply, slowly, deeply. They saw far beyond surface distraction, and so can you. If you practice it, this can be an extremely peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling way to live.

Two, begin asking yourself some fascinating and important questions—for example: “Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? What is my highest calling? How can I drop the limitations that keep me from really living? What are the elements of my grandest life’s dream? What do I want to get out of this journey?” Keep track of your questions and musings in a journal. Then continue your quest even more deeply after we get underway.

Three, if I may be so bold, order a Vision Walk CD and book from my website at www.brandtmorgan.com. This simple meditation technique, which immediately takes you out of your mind and into your heart, uses the same powerful principles as the vision quest to help you answer any question or solve any problem in just a few minutes. Not only is it a great tool for getting into the vision quest state of mind (i.e. no-mind), but it will give you practice communing with your true self—not to mention the wise ones who still walk the quiet trails of the ancient Southwest.

A Toltec mentor trained by don Miguel Ruiz, Brandt Morgan combines the teachings of three ancient and powerful traditions: Toltec, Native American, and the wisdom of the heart. His spiritual journey began more than 20 years ago in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey during a vision quest that continues to this day. Since then he has lived and worked as a freelance writer and spiritual teacher in Seattle, Santa Fe, and San Diego, always eagerly absorbing native lore and new experiences.

In addition to being a certified firewalking instructor, Brandt has written four books with Tom Brown, Jr. (The Tracker) on wilderness survival and nature awareness skills (Tom Brown's Field Guides). He is also the creator of VISION WALK, a remarkable new meditation process that makes it possible to answer any question or solve any problem in minutes. With his deep love for the earth, Brandt uses the elements of nature to shatter old beliefs and open doors to the true self. He also uses insight, compassion, Toltec dreaming techniques, and the magic of sacred song to shift old patterns, heal the emotional body, and uplift the spirit.