Welcome Home with Love and Honor
Veteran Rites and Rite of Return PDF Overview
The Rite of Return is a rite of passage for warriors seeking to answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness in order to lay down what longer serves and step into who you are truly called to be after military service. Separated from society, in solidarity and solitude, cross the threshold as a Whole Warrior to answer Who Am I? What’s My Purpose? Where do I Belong?
This ancient, cross-cultural ceremony has proven to drastically reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal ideation by embracing the wholeness of our human experience and true nature.
Rite of Return with Recovery is a ceremony to further support recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol.
* History of substance abuse is not a requirement to claim your seat at this ceremony.
In addition to guiding participants to answer Who Am I?, the Rite of Return with Recovery is a ceremony where veterans can discover their soul’s answer to, Who Am I Sober?
Alcoholics and addicts, as a group, are seekers of deep personal and human truth. For untold millennia, humans of all cultural backgrounds have gone alone to the wilderness to seek just such truths and to honor times of transition. The transition from a life based on drug and/or alcohol dependence to one based on spiritual principles is enormous. Prior to modern times, people have faced and honored such life-altering change with ceremony. These ceremonies, or rites of passage, have helped both individuals and societies to interpret their life changes and give meaning and value to them. Participating in rites that honor the modern mind, body, psyche, and spirit as well as honoring the ancient wisdoms that can bring deep healing to the recovering alcoholic/addict.
The Rite of Return with Recovery will integrate the spiritual principles of the 12 Steps (from multiple perspectives) with ancient means of looking into nature as a mirror (the Four Shields) in order to strengthen the whole warrior in claiming a sober life with renewed meaning and purpose.
The 11-day ceremony will be held in the wilderness of Eastern Washington with trained veteran and non-veteran guides. Participants experience time in community with other vets, four days of solo time, fasting in the wilderness, and a marked return where their stories are shared and witnessed in a“council of elders”. This return marks the beginning of a veteran’s process of incorporating that which they have gained and learned during their time in service and explored in the context of time alone in the wilderness, so they may bring their gifts home, able to participate more fully in service of their families and their community. Initiates will be supported throughout their incorporation year by Veteran Rites and the circle of whole warriors they are initiated with.
Eligibility
The Rite of Return for Recovery is available to Current and Prior Military Service Members, Spouses, Partners, Gold Star (18+), and Dependent Survivors of Veteran Suicide. Veteran Rites will work with every warrior called to the land to fully prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for their Rite of Return journey and address unique barriers and conditions that may prevent participation.
It is recommended that veterans are actively engaged in their recovery program. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. This is a special opportunity to not only lay down your burdens from military service but also to build the foundation for a sober life with whole identity, purpose, and belonging.
COVID-19
Veteran Rites has adopted enhanced safety protocols and practices to prevent and mitigate transmission of the coronavirus among participants, our loved ones, and communities before, during, and after the ceremony.
CLAIM YOUR SEAT AND ANSWER THE CALL BELOW
HELD IN THE WILDERNESS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
RITE OF RETURN CEREMONIES ARE LIMITED TO (8) PARTICIPANTS
Email Ryan Mielcarek at council@veteranrites.org if you have any problems in filling out this form or have any questions. We are here for you.
