Vision Quest – Fasting, Silence & Renewal
A five-day retreat in Ocuilan, Estado de México and México City, México with Elder Cristino Pérez & Oscar Iván O’Farrill
Hosted by Protocolo Q
When
Jun 3–7 2026
Where
Ocuilan, Estado de México
Cost
$600 USD
Retreat Overview
Retreat Overview
This module is a challenging, 5-day initiation into the Vision Quest tradition, focusing on Effort-Induced Altered States of Consciousness (ASC-E) through ritual fasting, solitude, and prayer.
Rooted in Mexica and Lakota protocols, Vision Quests offer a profound study in ego transcendence and neuro-resilience, pushing psychophysical boundaries to access deep spiritual guidance and self-knowledge without the use of mind-altering substances.
The primary objective is to cultivate psychophysical endurance and open a clear channel for spiritual guidance by dismantling the mind’s habitual reliance on comfort and external validation.
Whilst these traditional healing methods are part of Mexica and Lakota culture and heritage, they are best integrated in Western psyches with practices that bridge modern psychotherapeutic practices and indigenous methods. This is the foundation of Protocolo Q’s work.
Protocolo Q’s Oscar Iván O’Farrill is a psychologist and integrative consultant, a traditional Mexican medicine practitioner, Sun Dancer, visionary guide, and temazcalero with two decades of experience in the above fields. He serves as a translator of both the language and intentions of the Indigenous ceremonies.
The retreat is designed to give participants the most integrated experience of ancestral practices whilst preserving the sacred traditions and lineages of their communities.
Please note:
Before attending the retreat, you must have attended the webinar or watched the replay.
As the safety of participants is of paramount importance, you will also be required to attend an interview to ascertain your suitability for the retreat.
Module Timeline
Module Timeline
Community Call:
Coming Soon
Masterclass Webinar:
Wed April 15, 2026
Preparation Session:
Thu May 7, 2026
Retreat & Ceremony:
June 3-7 (5 days)
Integration Session:
Thu June 10, 2026
Format
Format
Day 1:
Final Preparation and Intention Setting:
Final psychological check-in and in-depth instruction on the physical and spiritual protocols of the Quest. Participants receive final counsel from the Elders and the clinical team.
Solo Fasting and Prayer:
Participants are escorted to their individual, secluded circles on the mountain for 4 days and 4 nights of continuous fasting, prayer, and exposure to the elements. This is the core time of self-confrontation and vision-seeking.
Participants are ritually brought back from their spots, breaking the fast with water and receiving initial counsel from the Elders.
Post-Quest Integration:
Group processing focused on the symbolic translation of visions and insights. Workshop on Anchoring Resilience, utilizing the newfound strength and mental clarity from the Quest into daily life and therapeutic practice.
What You'll Gain
What You'll Gain
Core Focus: The Neuro-Anthropology of Solitude and Sacrifice
Vision Quest, Prayer, and Psychophysical Endurance
This retreat is a direct confrontation with the ego narrative, utilizing the ancient technology of the Vision Quest—a process of self-sacrifice and purification. The focus is the intentional induction of a non-pharmacological Altered State of Consciousness through sustained fasting, sensory deprivation (relative solitude), and focused prayer.
The primary objective is to cultivate psychophysical endurance and open a clear channel for spiritual guidance by dismantling the mind’s habitual reliance on comfort and external validation.
In-Depth Scientific and Therapeutic Exploration with Oscar
The module serves as a laboratory for studying how deep dedication and physical stress induce profound therapeutic shifts, offering an alternative model to chemical psychedelics.
I. Neurophysiology of Solitude and Endogenous States:
Glutamate and Endogenous State Shifts: We examine the neurochemical effects of acute caloric and sensory restriction, which can lead to shifts in neurotransmitter balance, particularly involving glutamate, contributing to heightened perceptual sensitivity. This is a study in Endogenous State Induction, achieving ASC without external agents.
Reduction of the Default Mode Network (DMN): The forced solitude, lack of external sensory input, and absence of external task-focus naturally reduce the DMN’s activity. This facilitates a state of unimpeded reflection and existential self-inquiry, crucial for breaking cycles of self-limiting behavior and trauma bonding.
Biofeedback of Survival: The physical discomfort acts as a raw form of Somatic Biofeedback, forcing the practitioner to witness and accept their physiological and emotional limits, thus increasing Distress Tolerance and emotional regulation through disciplined surrender.
II. Containment in Absence and Ego Transcendence:
Protocolo Q Phase 3 (Containment in Solitude): We study the unique containment methodology of the Vision Quest, where safety relies on the external boundary of the ritual circle, the integrity of the ceremonial leader, and the rigorous psychological preparation built in Phase 2. The participant must contain themselves, making it the ultimate test of psychological autonomy.
Anthropology of Rites of Passage: We analyze the Vision Quest as an ancestral rite of passage rooted in both Mexica and Lakota protocols. The act of “crying for a vision” is examined as a powerful therapeutic metaphor for seeking existential meaning and transcending the ego, transforming fear into humility and prayer.
Meet Your Guides
Meet Your Guides
Cristino Pérez & Mohawk
Elders and Guides from the Mexica and Lakota traditions. They are the guardians of the fire and the protocol. They hold the ritual structure, ensuring the integrity and safety of the sacred space from which the solitary practitioners draw their strength.
Oscar Iván O’Farrill
Oscar Iván O’Farrill Cobo is a psychologist, executive coach, and integrative consultant with over 20 years of experience in psychotherapy, neuroscience, human development, and leadership transformation. As a clinical specialist, he has accompanied complex processes related to trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, and high-performance emotional resilience.
Oscar is also the founder of The Future Academy and the Ecosystem for Human Development and Consciousness Studies, and creator of the Graduate Program in Therapeutic Accompaniment with Ancestral Medicines. As a traditional Mexican medicine practitioner, Sun Dancer, visionary guide, and temazcalero, he has over 18 years of experience in ceremonial and therapeutic work, particularly in mushroom-based therapeutic rituals with a clinical focus on deep trauma, depression, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention. His work bridges ancestral knowledge, scientific research, and transformative leadership.
About the Location:
About the Location:
Approximately 1.5 hours Southwest of Mexico City, Ocuilan is known for its abundance of nature and famed pilgrimage site of the Sanctuary of the Lord of Chalma. It features hiking trails, forests, waterfalls and a serene, timeless atmosphere.
This retreat and corresponding webinar are offered as both a standalone experience and also as part of Ubiquity University and Protocolo Q’s Certificate in Ancestral Medicine and Entheogenic Therapy.