Beyond the Vision Quest: What Mongolia Truly Taught Us

This year’s Vision Quest was nothing short of transformative. From both my personal experience and the perspective of the container that Ankara has carefully held over the years, it felt like we stepped into something far greater than just an overseas tour, or even a traditional vision quest. It was a sacred mirror, reflecting the growth, dedication, and depth of every person who joined us.

What moved me most was watching our beautiful participants—each of them having worked so hard to shift their belief systems, to embrace shamanism, and to pursue a more meaningful life—arrive in a foreign land, far outside their comfort zones, and still show up as the highest version of themselves. They didn’t shrink back. They didn’t disconnect. They leaned in.

And what emerged in that leaning was profound love and acceptance—something that can’t be forced, only fostered. Mongolia naturally asks us to go deeper. The remote landscapes, the physical discomfort, the absence of daily conveniences—all of it invites a kind of raw honesty with ourselves. But this year, what stood out wasn’t the land or the challenge of the elements. It was the people. The way the group held one another, worked through shadow, and chose connection over conflict.

When you travel like this—with shared buses, shared yurts, shared ceremonies—there’s no hiding. The tour naturally invites personal reflection. And in that closeness, you’d expect tension. But instead, we saw diversity become a strength. Our youngest participant was 21; our oldest, nearly in his 60s. We had differences in gender, life path, spiritual training, and personality. And yet, people chose to deeply accept one another—not superficially, but soulfully. There was a mutual understanding that we were all there to grow, to witness, to be witnessed.

Ceremonies this year brought all kinds of messages: uplifting guidance, hard truths, invitations to shift what wasn’t working. And through it all, I watched with gratitude as everyone took radical responsibility for their own needs, while still offering support to those around them. There was humility, grace, humour, tears—and above all, a powerful sense of self-love.

That’s what makes this work worthwhile. Watching people honour themselves, even in discomfort. Seeing them meet their needs without overriding others. Witnessing the space between “me” and “we” becomes sacred ground.

We had exceptional group dynamics. Harmonious relationships with our Mongolian hosts. Genuine connections at every stop. Many of our participants have already expressed their desire to return, which tells me something important: it’s not about the destination. It’s about the depth of the experience, the intensity of training, and the conscious decision to step away from comfort to test everything you've worked on spiritually and emotionally.

Vision quests, to me, are sacred reminders. They strip us back. They challenge us. And they reveal what’s already alive within us when we remove the noise. Every time we go to Mongolia, we come back changed—not because of something we found, but because of what we allowed ourselves to become.

To everyone who walked this journey with us—thank you. Your presence made this experience unforgettable. I’m deeply grateful to hold this space and to witness what’s possible when humans show up with love, responsibility, and openness.

With love and reverence,

Heather