Global group


Supporting Global Rites of Passage

The School of Lost Borders is committed to supporting the reintroduction of meaningful and culturally appropriate rites of passage experiences around the world.  Over the last decades it has been instrumental in training people in this work from around the globe, providing personal support as well as financial when needed.  This has led to a fast growing network of skilled and heartful Vision Fast guides in many countries.  The establishment of an International Wilderness Guides Gathering was initiated by the School, with its first well attended meeting in Germany in 2002.  The next and 5th gathering will be in the Ukraine in 2012.



Threshold CircleGigi Coyle, for School of Lost Borders.

I am sitting in the morning sun high overlooking Papoose Flat, a beloved place in the Inyo mountains , preparing for a journey with environmental leaders and conservationists. I asked myself yesterday - Why this group?"  They already have such a deep relationship with the natural world-why give more time with them when there are so many lost, feeling no connection at all? The answer came quickly: it is not an either/or situation ... we must build and strengthen the community of people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, all genders and races who are listening to this earth, her needs, and her people. Everyone benefits from rites of passage and connection to the natural world.  

There is a global community, alive, growing and dedicated to such care for the earth and each other, and we want to continue to do our part in the remembering and awakening. There are a growing number of people from many countries who feel called to come to the School to fast and to train in these ancient and modern ways.

Those who come to this land, called to the ceremony and training being offered here , continually return to their own people and their own land with  the dedication and compassion to live in these times.  And just as importantly, we need to learn from them, as we are all calling for more cross-cultural learning, understanding, prayer and collaboration.  The field that we co-create and enter on fast and in council, one of openness, respect, surrender, love and increased attention and awareness, is needed everywhere.  

This summer the School of Lost Borders is offering two programs that are especially in need of scholarship support for participants from around the world:  a Month-Long Training, and Beyond Boundaries: A Prayer for the Earth,  A Wilderness Quest for Young Leaders.  Participants are coming from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Ukraine, Israel, Portugal and Australia to fast and train in these sacred mountains.
Many of the candidates applying are young people already engaged as activists, guides and peace workers.  Others are in key places and with established experience to help spread this pan-cultural ceremony throughout  their own land. We hope you see these people as "your people," traveling  over many seas, connected beyond boundaries in this work and this way.

Please consider participating in this global network by offering whatever you are can for the Steven Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund or our Global Rites of Passage Fund, which offers support beyond tuition for travel and other expenses. Any donation of any size to either of these funds would increase our ability to say "Yes" now. Knowing the value of the gifts we are given, we will certainly together pay it forward.  

With much gratitude for your participation and support,
Gigi Coyle, with Joseph and Meredith

CANDIDATES FOR THE GLOBAL FUND

I am Gabrielle, 29 years old, born and raised in the Findhorn ecovillage and community until age 10 when I moved to Sweden; at age 27 I returned. I am so grateful for this opportunity, it is a big step along my path towards a deeper connection to the Earth, an ability to listen and feel the Earth and ultimately co-create our future with the Earth. It is my desire to learn many nature based skills to share with youth and adults in Findhorn and around the world.             Scotland


I am Mathew, a photo journalist, world traveler and founder of The Mycelium School; a one-year, international school for young leaders to cultivate life skills and the tools needed to create social change. With this quest, I expect to connect deeply with myself, nature and other young leaders to refine my purpose and deliver the greatest social impact with this school and my life.             USA

 I am Stav, a musician, writer and peace worker from Israel/Palestine, coming to the vision quest to ask how I can create a happier and more peaceful society in my region.                 Israel

I am Reuben..... with  passion for working with youth originating from my own background, and I know that there is a lot of potential amongst our beautiful Youth of this time, but that they need to be given the platform and conducive environments to bring forth what lies underneath the layers of skin and history. I am one of the fortunate Youth who managed to come through and experience amazing Youth programs, that have brought me to this point in my life, and the Vision Quest opportunity in the States certainly serves as a once in a lifetime experience.         South Africa

"Yvan, 26, I am an ecologist and former politician from Switzerland. It's a dream to quest in the Inyo Mountains along with other young leaders from all over the world. This fast is for me a unique opportunity to experience an intimate connection with the natural world and what it means to be an Earthling, in order to engage more fully with the transition towards a sustainable culture. I'm thrilled to be part of this Summer journey and, at this stage of my life, I do need financial support to manifest it."

Kate Babenko and George Kushnir, Two amazing Ukrainians who are organizing the next international gathering have asked to attend the School's 2010 Month-Long Training in July ... to further their training in the Vision Fast work they have begun in their country, and to prepare for this major International event.  The School has offered them a partial scholarship to make this possible, trusting that our community will help us in our support by contributing to this fund.

For our 2011 Month-Long Training we have accepted the applications of 2 key staff members of Educo AfricaWiebke Nedel, the General Manager, and Duncan Souchon, their Program Director, are extremely enthusiastic to follow a significant number of their staff who have trained through the School, resulting in a strong rite of passage emphasis at Educo.  They will need significant financial support, which we are committed to finding with your help.

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