Decoding the Phenomenon of “Spirit Guidance” and Survival Skills When Lost in the Forest

In Vietnam, folklore often recounts thrilling stories about the phenomenon of “spirit guiding,” featuring many elements of mystery and spirituality. The Vietnamese people commonly use the term “spirit guiding” to explain cases of getting lost in the forest, exhibiting unusual behaviors such as wandering around without knowing the way home; being “hidden” in dense underbrush; abnormal eating habits; and displaying strange psychological symptoms after being lost in the woods…

So, what causes the phenomenon of “spirit guiding”? What should you do if you find yourself lost in the woods?

The phenomenon of “spirit guiding” and its causes

When lost in the forest, individuals with survival skills tend to handle the situation calmly and find their way back quickly. However, those lacking survival skills often experience panic, which directly affects their health, awareness, and behavior, leading to the emergence of the phenomenon known as “spirit guiding.” From a psychological perspective, “spirit guiding” is a consequence of hallucinations (perceptual illusions).

Hallucinations occur when the external attributes of phenomena are misrepresented objectively. Various factors can lead to hallucinations, but they generally stem from three main causes: physiological, physical, and psychological.

Those lost in the woods may experience “spirit guiding” due to the following three primary factors:

Physiological causes: When lost in the forest, fatigue, hunger, and declining health can lead to heightened or reduced sensitivity of the senses, resulting in distorted perceptions of the environment. For instance, in extreme hunger, a lost person might hallucinate, failing to recognize their surroundings, and may even consume dirt, mud, or contaminated water. Additionally, due to exhaustion and the instinctual desire for safety, some individuals may seek refuge in dense thickets, where they may not feel pain due to significantly reduced sensory sensitivity.

Thus, it is not uncommon to find lost individuals trapped in thorny bushes, unable to extricate themselves. Others may also struggle to rescue them, necessitating the cutting of branches from outside in to free them.

 From a psychological perspective, the phenomenon of “spirit guiding” is a consequence of hallucinations.

Physical causes: In dense forests, where trees grow thickly and many locations appear similar, it becomes challenging for the lost individual to orient themselves. Moreover, being lost at night or in densely wooded areas, where lighting is scarce, can further distort perceptions of the surroundings. Additionally, due to the body’s natural tendency to move in circles, lost individuals often wander aimlessly and return to their original position.

Consequently, the arrangement of physical space and perceptual conditions often prevents lost individuals from determining their direction, causing them to wander, and sometimes not recognize familiar locations.

Psychological causes: When lost in the forest, excessive worry, panic, and a strong desire to return home can inevitably lead to hallucinations. They often perceive the night as endless, losing track of time and space, hearing terrifying sounds, and seeing haunting images, which continue to haunt them even after they return home. Therefore, many individuals who are lost in the woods recount mysterious, illogical, and unrealistic tales, such as encounters with ghosts or being guided by deceased individuals…

In addition to the aforementioned causes of hallucinations, one contributing factor to the mystique of the “spirit guiding” phenomenon often derives from the stories told by the lost individuals themselves. Upon returning home, they are likely to seek compensation, protection, and encouragement, which leads them to be suggestively influenced to portray themselves as weak or unusual.

Moreover, it is commonly seen that those who are lost often refuse to admit their lack of skills or mental weakness, instead blaming external factors. In such cases, they may embellish their experiences with thrilling, mysterious situations to justify their shortcomings.

Some safety skills when lost in the forest

Many might scoff at the idea that in today’s world, especially in Vietnam, where urbanization is rapid and forests are severely depleted… there’s no longer a need to learn survival skills for getting lost in the forest.

However, the reality is that many cases still exist where even professional forest workers get lost. Consider the possibility of traveling to mountainous forest areas or even visiting a small virgin forest; without the right skills, you can easily become lost.

So, what should you do to avoid getting lost, and what steps should you take for safety if you do find yourself in this situation? Here are some essential safety skills.

To prevent getting lost in the forest, when entering an unfamiliar area, you should be equipped with the following skills:

Prepare supplies, communication plans, and rescue strategies before entering the forest

This is a crucial step to help you avoid being lost in the woods. If you plan to enter the forest, prepare some minimum necessary supplies, such as: a sharp knife, lighter, compass, phone, flashlight, drinking water, and non-perishable food… to aid your survival if you become lost. If traveling in a group, establish a communication and rescue plan beforehand.

While moving through the forest, remember the terrain and mark your direction

As you move through the forest, keep track of the terrain you’ve traversed, paying attention to prominent features such as trail intersections, large trees, rivers, and streams… to make it easier to navigate back. If necessary, use distinct markers or take pictures with your smartphone to document the terrain you’ve crossed.

If you find yourself lost in the forest, you should take some basic steps to ensure your safety:

Maintain health and control your mental state

When you realize you are lost, first find a suitable place to rest and conserve your energy. Do not attempt to run in search of a way back, as this can lead to exhaustion and panic. Sitting down not only helps you conserve energy but also allows you to calm down and strategize your next steps for escape. Stay calm, avoid panic and negative thoughts; rest, drink water if you have any, and relax to regain composure.

Localization – Orientation

If you have a smartphone with GPS functionality and are in an area with signal coverage, determining your location should not be difficult. However, if the opposite is true, you need to apply some classic methods to ascertain your position, such as climbing a tall tree or high point to observe; estimating time, speed, and distance traveled to determine your current location…

You should draw a map on the ground with a stick or knife to mark your position; this will not only help you locate yourself but also provide a sense of calm and self-assurance.

Once you’ve determined your position, you need to orient yourself for your return. First, identify the direction you entered the forest from, such as East-West or North-South, and then find the opposite direction for your return. During the day, observe the time and the direction of the sunrise or sunset to determine East or West.

You can also look for moss on tree bark or rocks to ascertain East or West, as moss typically does not grow on the western side. Once you’ve identified East or West, stand with your arms outstretched; left hand pointing East, right hand pointing West, the direction in front of you will be South and behind you will be North. At night, you can observe the stars for orientation, but this method is often complex, so it’s best to navigate during the day and avoid moving at night.

If you encounter a river or stream and know whether you entered the forest from upstream or downstream, follow the river to find your way out without worrying about East, West, North, or South. Alternatively, if you encounter a river you haven’t crossed, follow the downstream flow, as rivers typically lead to lower lands or populated areas, increasing your chances of rescue compared to other directions.