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SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES IN ÁDVENTURE THERAPY
in Fredrickson and Andersons study," participants reported that a different
environment, the constant feeling of awe, and a slight sense of vulnerability
were spiritually inspiring. Both studies suggest that being in an unfamiliar,
untamed natural environment in a community can easily lead to meaningful,
spiritual experiences. Some aspects of the experience differed between
genders: men stressed the importance of peacefulness more and did not
prefer the same-gender group so much as women did.
A year later, Heintzman" led another investigation of men in a group
which was homogenous from the following three perspectives: they lived in
the same area, they were members of the same Church, and they participated
in canoe or wilderness trips at least once a year. Subjects experienced
elevated level of spirituality, which enabled them to forge lasting “spiritual
friendships” according to the follow-up interviews, which were done 7-8
months later. Men reported that the wilderness reminded them continually
of God’s creation and created a stunning atmosphere, which, together with
a sense of remoteness, facilitated the spiritual experience. As was found to
be the case in previous studies, communication with one another (especially
communication concerning religious beliefs) was a key determinant of this
experience. This group of men also felt that being in a same-gender group
further contributed to spiritual intimacy.
In summary, experiences in the wilderness may have a potential for evoking
spirituality, and this process is facilitated by remoteness, unfamiliarity, and
the feeling of awe in the observer. On the other hand, spirituality, or the
capability of giving deeper meanings to the experiences, can also influence
appreciation of nature-related experiences. This second statement can
be paralleled with a study conducted with 190 subjects from Australia,’
according to which spirituality is a strong mediator between experiences
in nature and psychological well-being. Kamatsis and Francis suggest that
spirituality is a path through which the positive effects of nature and the
wilderness can influence well-being. Still, it remains unclear whether it is
nature that leads to spirituality or spiritual openness which supports a sense
of connection with nature.
Remarkable findings were described by Riley and Hendee, who have been
studying one type of vision quest program for a 10-year period. Vision quests
Fredrickson and Anderson, A qualitative exploration of the wilderness experience, 21-39.
Paul Heintzman, Men’s wilderness experience and spirituality: further explorations, In:
Proceedings of the 2007 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium (2007), 55-59.
Ilias Kamatsis and Andrew J.P. Francis, Spirituality mediates the relationship between
engagement with nature and psychological wellbeing, Journal of Environmental Psychology
36 (2013), 136-143.
Marilyn F. Riley and John C. Hendee, Wilderness vision quest clients: motivations and
reported benefit from an urban-based program 1988 to 1997, In: USDA Forest Service
Proceedings 2000, 128-135.
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