Packing List

The concept behind Sacred Passage is to become closely linked to Nature. The following recommendations and equipment list are focused toward giving you that opportunity. Keep in mind, the less you pack, the more awaits you. You may be walking into your solo camp up to 3 miles from the starting point, however, you can make several trips to carry in gear.

What to Pack
All Sacred Passage participants are responsible for providing their own shelter, equipment, water and food for all domestic Passages. In the case of International Pilgrimages, food and transportation are generally included in the program fee. Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the specifics of the program you are attending.

The following list of suggested items can assist in making your Passage experience unfold a little more smoothly. For domestic Passages, please pack all items either in soft-sided duffle bags or backpacks, as hard-sided suitcases are not suitable for carrying gear to the solo sites. Also, keep in mind that the location and time of year for the program you are attending will affect the climate, and consequently, certain items you will need to pack such as clothing.

Suggested Packing List

Clothing

Pack loose, comfortable clothing suitable to the location and climate of the program you are attending. Please check with the office if you have any questions regarding climate. For cold weather, several layers of clothing can keep you warmer than one large item, such as a jacket.

2 pair shorts/pants
2 comfortable shirts ­ 1 short-sleeved, 1 long-sleeved
1 swim suit (especially for Baja)
1 change of warm clothing; in Arizona, Colorado, Nepal and the Himalayas, night temperatures can fall below freezing in the Spring, Fall, and Winter
1 light rain jacket or poncho
1 cap (for cool weather)
1 pair cotton soled black Chinese slippers or leather soled moccasins—these help you connect with Earth’s energy
1 pair good tennis or hiking shoes (with natural rubber, such as Mephisto)
1 broad-brimmed sun hat

Camping Gear

1 small, one person tent with rain-fly
1 set warm bedding/sleeping bag
1 comfortable sleeping pad such as Therm-a-rest
1 water purification system: either a camp filter capable of removing Giardia, or purifying iodine tablets, such as the “Potable Aqua” brand, or both
1 set of basic utensils—including cup, bowl, Swiss Army knife, fork, spoon and cleaning rag
1 nylon rope for hanging food over tree limbs, 100 ft. long, 3/8” thick
1 set of pulleys, also for hanging food
flashlight and batteries—or better, candle, candle holder and waterproof matches
1 compass

For those attending Passages in bear country (Colorado and the Chiricahuas):

1 large size plastic bear-proof canister, or bear bag, for hanging food from a tree.

For those concerned about bear protection: “Counter Assault” (Olerisin Capsaicin pepper spray) - heavy duty, and very effective. Also available at most camping stores is Pepper Gard Spray, although it is not as intense as Counter Assault.

General Equipment

1 loud whistle
insect repellent
1 syringe-type poison/venom kit. WE INSIST YOU HAVE THIS! Mandatory in Baja and Arizona
1 solar shower
1 towel
1 small spade or garden tool to bury feces
1 cotton sheet (especially for Baja)
plastic water jug(s), one gallon size, empty—may be collapsible
plastic garbage bags for trash and hanging food
high UV blocking sunscreen and sunglasses (especially for Baja)
For those concerned about bear protection:

Bear-proof canister, bear bag, poison/venom kit, and pepper spray can be found
at the following stores: REI, www.rei.com 800-426-4840, or Campmoor, www.campmoor.com 800-226-7667.

Other Essentials

1 notepad, to leave message at checkpoint
1 journal and pencil or ball point pen
1 set “Sky Above, Earth Below” audio tapes
natural musical instruments (optional), such as flute or rattle. Drums may also be brought, although they are not for use while out on solo, as this could disturb other Passagers. They are, however, highly recommended for use during the Awareness Training and re-entry periods

Offering Substances

Native tobacco, cornmeal, sweet grass, sage, copal, cedar, rice and incense

This is a solo time in Nature, and we discourage any reading material, radios, art supplies, cameras or journals, and especially any weapons (cassette players will be allowed for persons wishing study with the Sky Above, Earth Below audio tape set during their solo). The sun will keep time for you, so leave those watches behind. To take time to really commune with Nature and feel the aloneness—All Oneness—it is best to leave all means of distraction behind. Upon re-entry, you will have plenty of opportunity to create your process with clarity and inner peace. Journal writing is encouraged before and after the solo period.

Food & Water

Please have all your solo-time food items (except perishables) with you when you arrive. There will be time the day before you go out on solo to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. In Baja, where there is no stream or lake water available for filtering onsite, we will take you to a local professional filtered water source where you can purchase your 5 gallons of purified water in a container that can be used in your camp; but be prepared to carry it into your site. Canyonlands and Arches Passage locations in Utah are also arid environments. Here, we will take you to a local spring of fine, high-quality water where you can fill your water containers - prior to going into your solo site.

Because Todos Santos has such a variety of wonderful restaurants ranging from fish taco stands to gourmet restaurants, often we will dine in town. In addition, we sometimes have a caterer prepare our meals at base camp. There is also a simple cooking facility at the base camp, so some may prefer to prepare their own meals. During orientation, a group decision is made regarding breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Meals are not included in the price of the Passage.

CLEANSING & DIETARY GUIDELINES

Deciding to give yourself the Sacred Passage Awareness Training™ and the Passage’s alone time in Nature should be one of the finest gifts you’ll ever experience. In order to insure the optimum results, we suggest you begin the following preparations three to four months (or more, if possible) in advance to help your body, energy, emotions, mind and spirit clear for what they are about to experience.

Stimulants tend to act as a barrier to the interconnecting of inner and outer nature, so abstain from non-prescription drugs, coffee, black teas and cigarettes. This is a good way to help clear your system and develop sensitivity. While slowly entering into this cleansing, this is also an excellent time to partake in sweats, saunas and natural hot spring paths to further the process. Highly processed and “fast foods” should be eliminated from the diet. Drugs of any nature (including alcohol and tobacco) should be avoided, unless specifically prescribed by a doctor. If this is the case, check with your doctor to be sure doing an Awareness Training Intensive and Sacred Passage wilderness solo is wise at this time.

The dietary intake recommended for Sacred Passage is of a sattvic nature. Sattvic foods are those that purify the body and calm the mind. They are fresh, organic, vegetarian foods. Recommended foods which are more balanced and appropriate for daily consumption include whole grains, beans, vegetables, seeds, nuts and fruits. This will enable your body to cope with spiritual process during your Sacred Passage.

Start introducing yourself to Nature by spending time each day walking, sitting or exploring within natural environments. This is an excellent time to practice spiritual disciplines outdoors, such as outdoor ceremony, sacred drumming, heartfelt prayer, Tai Chi, the various yogas, Zazen, TM, or any personal meditation. If you use affirmations, use them in natural settings, and start your attunement with Nature prior to the Sacred Passage. If possible, spend one day a week alone in Nature, establishing deeper inner and outer connectedness.

These guidelines, if followed, will bring a richer experience to your process in Nature…all of it is a gift to be treasured and bestowed upon yourself, so enjoy!

RECOMMENDED FOOD ITEMS FOR SOLO

(All food items should be organic and non GMO)

• Water (5 gallons, or bring water filter)(In Baja, we will supply 5 gallons of filtered water)
• Dried Milk (whole, soy or rice) q Juice (various fruit and vegetable)
• Lemons
• Herbal Teas (for sun tea)
• Protein Drink (powder mix)
• Miso Soup (instant)
• Whole Grain Breakfast Cereal
• Dried Fruits
• Nuts
• Trail Mix
• Cheese
• Cliff Bars (or similar protein bars)
• Whole Grain Bread
• Crackers
• Rice Cakes
• Oat Cakes
• Tabouleh (Dried Mix)
• Hummus (Dried Mix)
• Peanut Butter (Unprocessed)
• Almond Butter (Unprocessed)
• Sardines (canned)
• Salmon (canned)
• Tuna (canned)
• Buffalo Jerky
• Cayenne Pepper
• Maple Syrup

RECOMMENDED VITAMINS & HERBS

• A
• B-complex
• Bio-Oxy
• C
• E (100 IU)
• Echinacea and golden seal tinctures
• E-mergen-C packets
• Fo-ti
• Ginseng - Siberian or American
• Gotu kola
• Multi-mineral tablets
• Reishi mushrooms
• Suma

THE MASTER CLEANSER FAST

2 Tblsp fresh lemon or lime juice—about 1/2 lemon (organic, ideally)
2 Tblsp real maple syrup
1/10 Tsp red cayenne pepper—or as much as you want
Medium hot to cool water—spring or purified

Combine fresh juice, syrup and pepper in a 10 oz. glass, and fill with pure water. Grade A, B or C maple syrup is fine—pick among these grades according to taste and availability (from A to C the syrup has increasing mineral content, and is less sweet and stronger tasting). If you cannot obtain maple syrup, use molasses or sugar cane juice—avoid honey or refined sugar. Sorghum may be used, though it is less desirable. Take with spring water 5-7 times a day.

During Sacred Passage & The Way of Nature wilderness solos, this fast is often done for three to five days during the middle of the solo. It may also be taken for the entire solo, and parts of the Awareness Training, for those interested in a deeper fast. For persons of normal health, no other food or supplements should be taken for the duration of the fast. The only recommended additional components of this fast are: a) taking a laxative herb tea—available in health food stores—to help the body eliminate wastes released by the fast. Take upon arising in the morning, and before evening rest (it is also helpful to take the laxative tea the evening before you begin to fast); b) taking mint or green tea occasionally to help purify the body and reduce body odors released during detoxification.

To break the fast: for the first day or two (two days if you’ve done a longer fast) take several glasses of fresh orange juice—fresh watermelon juice works well too—during the day, drinking them slowly. On the following day, eat miso soup with rye crackers, sparingly. The next day continue with juice in the morning, miso soup and rye crackers for lunch, and a light vegetarian meal for dinner. After that, normal eating practices may be resumed, but continue to eat lightly for at least a week. Begin the morning with fresh lemonade or fruit juice, and avoid dairy, meat, and eggs for awhile. Should stomach cramps or gas occur, go back to fruit juice until your system has adjusted, then continue as outlined above.

Ten-day fasts are common with this fasting system, and fasts for up to forty days are occasionally undertaken. For preparation to do Sacred Passage & The Way of Nature Fellowship programs, or for general maintenance of health, fasting for three to ten days, three or four times a year—once each season, ideally—is recommended.

For many, the first exposure to this fasting system will be during the twelve day Sacred Passage Awareness Training and wilderness solo. In order for the fast to unfold smoothly, it is helpful to eliminate cigarettes, coffee and all “recreational” and non-required medical drug use at least two weeks before beginning the Passage. It is also helpful to “lighten up” one’s diet, and lower food intake during this time, while emphasizing a balance of organic proteins, carbohydrates and oils.

We ask that you please consult with your physician prior to embarking on any fast, particularly if you are dealing with any major health issues. If fasting on a Passage is not something you feel called to do at this time, we recommend instead eating simply, lightly and organically.

Fasting with the Master Cleanser Fast is said to aid in the cleansing of the digestive tract, kidneys and other organs, as well as the removal of toxins and waste from the muscles, joints, and circulatory system, and purifying the glandular system. Relieved of excess toxins and wastes, the body’s cells, tissues and organs are revitalized, enhancing meditation, Qi Gong, GaiaFlow™, yoga, and other spiritual cultivation practices.

FOOD SUGGESTIONS FROM JOHN P. MILTON , FOUNDER

Many persons mix granola and dried milk together, creating a ready mixed meal that can be easily prepared simply by adding water. Another favorite is pre-cooked brown rice rolled in kelp. For those who like herbal teas, bring a glass jar and teas of your choice to make sun tea.

There are no fires while on a Sacred Passage wilderness solo, so all food should be selected with this in mind.

During most Sacred Passages, we suggest, but do not insist, that you fast during the middle three days of the solo period. If you opt to fast, your diet on the days prior to and after the solo should be light and easy to assimilate. If you do not fast, we suggest that you keep on a light and simple diet, with only two meals a day, and that you progressively reduce the amount of food eaten (particularly heavier foods) the longer you are out on solo. Be sure to drink at least a half a gallon of water each day, even if fasting.