Preparation for Our In-Person Immersion
On this page you will find:
Elemental Agreements
Sacred Song Playlist
Packing List
Dieta: Devotional Protocol
Arrival & Departure
Commitment to Confidentiality
Hold Your Place Policy
Welcome!
It is an honor and joy to sit with you in this way.
We look forward to creating a healing and transformative experience with you.
Whether this is your first time, or this is a regular spiritual practice for you, adhering to these guidelines will allow for ease and grace in your journey.
Even if you have sat with us many times, this information changes.
WE REQUEST THAT YOU READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE.
Click here for FAQ’s for Ceremony & Mama Aya
Click here to Learn about all of our Sacred Teacher’s (Plant Medicine) HERE
Elemental Agreements
1. Earth🌋
Please drive up our dirt road (Hemlock)- VERY SLOWLY, 10mph or less.
Park in the driveway & greet the earth. If it is your practice, lay an offering down. Say a prayer, a breath, of thank you & hello. Take a moment to LAND before saying hi to others, or bringing your things in.
Once you drop of your items inside, one of our guardians will direct you where you will park for the weekend (will not be in the driveway).
In the temple, keep the space tidy.
Clean up when you arrive & leave the space. Arrange shoes & all items in a neat way.
Eat slowly.
Walk on the earth as though it were a friend.
Slow down. Slow down. Slow down.
Offer herbs back to the earth every time you eat, smoke or consume in any way.Please pack minimally - 1 Carry-on-size-bag per-person in the house only, please.
We’ve already had snow this year, so make sure to bring layers to stay warm & hiking shoes to explore the forest.
2. Fire ❤️🔥
May the first thing you see in the morning be the sun.
Do not leave any candles lit & unattended.
No fires in nature, outside, we are in FIRE territory.
No screens in public spaces, around others, ever. Please turn your phone OFF. We will have time for pictures & testimonials on Sunday.
If you need to use your phone to check in with family, please do so in your car, the garage, or outside. Not in public space, or where you can be heard by others.
3. Water 💦 is precious & scarce.
When you turn on the faucets please set it to 1/2 FLOW.
Do not flush toilet unless it is #2 or is getting full.
Empty trash bins into the garage trash bins when you notice them full.
When washing dishes, keep water flow at minimum.
3 minute showers, 1x per weekend, MAX.
4. Air 🌬️
Breathe deeply. Whisper in shared spaces.
Talk minimally. Notice if you can listen at least TWICE as much as you speak.
Journal more.
Listen to the wind in the trees.
When smoking, please do outside or inside in ceremony with a proper place for ashes.
When arriving, please limit all conversation in general.
This is the time to LISTEN to your soul & the trees.
To listen to the facilitation.
5. Mystery 🕸️
Allow yourself to be led by the unknown.
Let yourself NOT need a schedule, as much as possible.
Allow yourself to put down any ideas of what this is supposed to be so you can show up to be with what is.
Animal respect: We have 2 dogs and a cat indoors. We have 7 chickens & a snake that you will not interact with unless you want to. If you are allergic, or have animal trauma, please note this.
Confidentiality: You will only speak about your experience, in the first person, and not share names or personal experiences with anyone who was not in our circle.
Respect: You will respect the Journey of everyone in the space. Give everyone the dignity of their own process. You are not here to fix, judge, coach or offer feedback to anyone in this space. If someone requests your support, by all means, share your gifts. Otherwise, focus on your own inner work.
Healing happens in presence.
Do your best to stay present, not project, not assume & stay curious in the radical aliveness.
If you need anything from a toothbrush to emotional support, check in with our Temple Guardians Mel & Bear~
START PREPARING WITH MEDITATION, SONG & PRAYER:
If you have a meditation practice, wonderful. Continue with this. You are also invited begin by playing Sacred Music like what you can find here.
Ceremony is dependent on your relationship with yourself. Start and/or continue to work with your Self-Love, Self-Care and Self-Worth as you prepare to enter into this sacred place.
DIETA - DEVOTIONAL PROTOCOL: PLEASE BEGIN NOW
Release all alcohol, sugar, and added salt from your diet, up to a month before.
2 days before AND after Ceremony do not consume any fermented foods (cheese, cured meats, kombucha etc).
The week of Ceremony, and at least 3 days after NO -
Caffeine
Negative Media (Movies, TV, Social Media etc.
Sexual Activity - aka anything that could lead to orgasm, including self pleasure (MIN, 2 days before, and the following integration day. BEST for your first time sitting is to abstain for a week before & after).
Advanced Students (5+ years with the medicine), may have integrated tantric practices that they would with before and after ceremony. If you have not sat 5+ years with the medicine, this energy can be overwhelming and potentially harmful. Please do not play in an area that you do not have experience in. Thank you.
Increase your intake of fresh fruits (eaten alone), vegetables and, if you partake, clean meat (Ethical, Organic, Grass-Fed etc). Think about consuming the quality and energy of the animal's life.
2-3 Liters of fresh, clean water, everyday.
MUST AVOID DAY BEFORE
Alcohol
Any other plant medicine (if you have a question, email us)
Caffeine
Animal protein (meat)
Dairy products
All ferments (pickled anything)
Pork
Anything made with Canola & Other Seed Oils
Very spicy food
MSG
Soy products
EATING THE DAY BEFORE
Have your last meal be a light dinner the night before the ceremony.
If you feel like you need the energy, you may have a small meal before 8am the day of Ceremony. A smoothie, fruit, or a small bowl of oatmeal are best. We invite you to fast the day of, however not everyone's body can handle that. Also, if you plan on sitting up all night, a small meal the day of can support this energy.
You may eat fruit, veggies, eggs, fish, rice, or toast.
NO SPICY FOOD
Avoid rich and heavy foods
Avoid Caffeine
Water, light, freshly made fruit juices and coconut water are the best.
After NOON the day of Ceremony, please only consume water
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE:
We will begin setting up and clearing the space.
Plan to stay until 3:33 pm on the end day for Integration Circle - the process of digesting your experience in community. We may be done before then, and we ask you organize to stay the entire time.
We HIGHLY recommend planning nothing on the completion day, and also clearing your schedule the day after you leave for ceremony.
Integration is vital!
Location
Address will be sent to you in a message, 1 week before our circle. Location will be near Running Springs, CA.
Respect of The Earth Temple:
Our Space is always a HomeTemple & Sanctuary.
Please do not use any of the kitchen items without asking a guardian first. Please respect with your voice level and energy inside of the house. NO SCREENS/PHONE USE IN THE HOUSE.
We clean up after ourselves.
We wash our dish, as soon as we are done with it.
If toilet paper is out, we find a new one and refill it properly.
We only use our own towels for showers.
Showers are 3-5 mins, MAX.
We do not take inside furniture, blankets, or pillows outside, without permission.
We leave the HomeTemple, better than we found it.
THERE ARE NO SCREENS ALLOWED IN THE PUBLIC SPACES.
THIS MEANS IF YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR PHONE, YOU GET TO DO THIS IN YOUR CAR, OR OUTSIDE WHERE YOU WILL NOT BE SEEN OR IN HEARING DISTANCE.
Shared sleeping quarters will be in the main shared Temple Space, downstairs, or outside, unless otherwise discussed.
WHAT TO BRING
Packing List:
Comfortable clothing & bring layers for MANY temperature changes. We will be outside, or in the main ceremony-room space, all of which are VERY exposed to the elements! Think about the time of the year, we are located at 7,000 ft at elevation.
IT CAN GET COLD!!
THINK MINIMAL - this is not a fashion show. It is a time to focus on connection, prayer, care & being present with the EARTH, The Great Mother, yourself & each other. . Please minimize your luggage to only ONE SMALL CARRY ON + ONE PERSONAL ITEM.
Toiletries
Your own towel
Sacred items may be brought to share on a small personal altar which can be set up behind or next to your nest; crystals, pictures of family members, small instruments - Personal Altars - NO bigger than 1 ft x 1ft, please.
Traditionally, all white or light colors are encouraged during the Sacred Circle.
Music & Expression:
We welcome you to bring your sacred music, poetry and prayers to the circle. We will let you know when it is the time to contribute.
Nesting Gear:
We have sleeping pads, seats, pillows & blankets. All light colors are preferred so we can see in the dark.
Notebook:
Please bring something to write in - a journal or notebook.
Water:
It's important to stay hydrated, so please bring a bottle that holds at least 1 liter. Also focus on intaking more water leading up to Ceremony (at least 2-3 liters per day). Water will be provided on site for refilling.
Showers:
You are welcome to take a shower. Please limit it to 3-5 minutes. We live in the desert & water is our most precious & expensive utility. Please ALWAYS shut the toilet lid. Mice will be looking for water & can perish if you leave the lid up.
Please bring your own towel.
Food and Snacks:
You are welcome & very much INVITED to bring supplemental snacks, coconut water, juice, & other food for the weekend (must be dieta friendly!)
ALL main meals are included.
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergen free, Plant-Based, Ayurvedic Influenced Meals. We will have eggs.
We will be on dieta, and eating lovingly, slowly & consciously.
Please let us know if you have any food allergies outside of what we have listed above.
CONFIDENTIALITY
We create a sacred container to explore consciousness
in a safe, community learning environment.
Confidentiality is vital to create this container.
Meaning, that if someone is NOT a part of this Ceremony,
NO details about who is there, what was discussed, processed,
experienced or ANY PART of Ceremony
outside of YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE may be shared.
We thank you for participating in this Ceremony
and by doing this, you agree to protect
and respect this sacred confidentiality.
Thank you for your ever expanding
mindfulness with the protection of this work.
HOLD YOUR PLACE POLICY
If you cancel before 22 days before Circle, we will honor your contribution for another date or event.
If it is less than 22 WHOLE DAYS, your spot cannot be filled and your contribution goes towards the unused space.
Emergencies may be an exception, at facilitator's discretion.
No refunds are given.
Thank you for understanding.
PERSONAL WORK
We hold Private Ceremonies, Personal Coaching Work (SoulMentorship & Coaching) and Healer-Trainings for those on the path of discovering and sharing Experienced Truth. Click on any of the above to inquire.