FROM PARTICIPANT TO GUIDE: THE LEARNING CONTINUES - By Sam Burris DeBoskey

I was 16 when I first arrived in the Owens Valley, or Payahuunadu (the land of flowing water) as the Paiute Shoshone people of this land call it, for the Youth Rite of Passage program with the School of Lost Borders. I was immediately in awe of the surrounding mountains, the expanse of sagebrush, and the small towns that dot the 395 corridor. Six other youth and I were guided through a ceremony that forever changed my life and continues to inform how I see myself, my community, and the world we are a part of. I was nervous, intimidated by the landscape, and deeply hungry for an initiation and orientation into young adulthood that felt healthy and holistic. None of the culturally sanctioned rites of passages I was exposed to felt grounded or guided enough. It was very clear as to why I came; I wanted to be shown a different way to explore who I am and get in touch with the world around me. When I think back on the 10 - day process of being with the School, one memory in particular sticks out. We were almost ready to load up the cars and head out to basecamp. The guides, Gigi and Win (who became important mentors for me), looked around the circle and asked if there were any other questions before we headed off into the unknown of the threshold. I remember a question coming to my mind and ignoring it at first, writing it off as unnecessary and naive. It kept ringing louder and louder as we stood in silence and finally I blurted out, “Wait!...how do I pray?” Smiles crept across their face and we took another breath before they shared what that word meant to them: giving thanks, asking for what you need, opening to possibilities and gifts unknown. This, for a deeply curious teenager, was revolutionary.

It was through taking part in that ceremony that I connected to pieces of myself, my ancestors, and the earth that continue to be part of the person that I am. I am now 28 and getting ready to guide the Youth Fast here at the school for the first time. In those 12 years I have fasted often, assisted on numerous programs, and guided the Men’s Fast last year. I kept returning to the Owens Valley and the Inyo and have used rites of passage as a framework for the many changes that I’ve since encountered. Learning how to ceremonially mark transitions has been monumental in helping me lead a meaningful life. The practice of living and dying, opening to the unknown, seeing myself reflected in the environment, nature as teacher, diving into the depths of my inner landscape, learning about and honoring the First Peoples of this land, researching and relating to my own ancestry, and remembering parts of myself that feel deeply connected to the earth have all continued to keep me curious and coming back for more.  When I was 16 I never imagined I would come back and guide the same program some day. Slowly, step by step, I have arrived here, committing more deeply to this work and exploring the ways this ceremony can enhance one’s life by giving us a sense of belonging to the world around us. It feels like a great responsibility to be in this seat and to offer the gift I have been so fortunate to receive.  I am excited to support the bare bones of a very open ceremony. It is a task and role I feel humble to be learning about and I am increasingly grateful for the way the SOLB community has supported me and hundreds of young people through this work. The possibility of re kindling our relationship to the earth and re discovering how each of us uniquely belongs inspires me to step into this role. The opportunity to slow down and listen with a small group of youth feels like a radical and realistic way to respond to what is happening in the world.

Friend, speak to me of God,” and the almond tree blossomed.  – Nikos Kazantzakis