We each arrived at Landon’s place on Saturday around noon. We napped and rested most of the afternoon and then made a fire that evening. That evening Landon guided Dustin through two different breathing practices and both got into the cold river. Around the fire we further discussed our intentions for the days to follow. We camped in the grass.

The next morning, after meditation, we each organized our gear and took care of shared tasks, like filling water jugs and preparing food. We made a traditional yogi’s dish with fresh ginger and turmeric, mung beans and rice, Indian spices and vegetables. This dish promotes digestive balance is detoxifying and supports fasting. Kitchari would be the staple meal for the days to come. After eating we departed Landon’s place and arrived mid-afternoon to the Site (the general area we selected for 7 days/nights of ceremony). It took only one return trip to the car to setup our Camp (personal resting spots, kitchen and hangouts). It was cold and overcast.

That evening the wind picked up and by midway through the night was intense. While stepping out to pee, Landon’s tent went flying into the sage and cactus. And the next morning didn’t ease. The temperatures continually dropped, and the wind ripped in violent bursts persistently throughout the day. Dustin and Landon spent most of the afternoon wandering the greater Site to find a more wind protected area to pass time. This was also when Dustin chose his Solo Site and Landon discovered a place near camp to designate as the Fire Site; where they had a fire later in the evening and discussed the operation of ritual for the next 5 days. It was colder than the day before and light precipitation of freezing rain with the wind still violent. Strangely, this weather system came from the North-East.

At sunrise on the morning of the 6th, Landon created a Threshold- a circle of rocks beneath the sandstone cliff-band just below the plateau (which leads to Dustin’s Solo Site). Silently by a small fire Landon smudged Dustin with sage and played the flute. Dustin then departed to his Solo Site.

100 hours later at the Threshold, Landon smudged Dustin with sage. Landon played the flute. Dustin sipped water.

For the remainder of the morning at Camp, they enjoyed fresh ginger honey tea and ate light. The days were now hot and the skies were mostly clear; they rested most of the afternoon. In the evening at the Fire Site, they made a ceremony. Each of them spoke for 30 minutes while the other remained silent, listening. The moon was full.

On the morning of 11th, they departed the Site. 100 meters from the car, fenagling the section of boulders that block the Site’s entrance, they stumbled upon a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake recoiled into an open corner underneath the boulder, shaking its rattle. At first the rattling was continuous and persistent. As Landon and Dustin kneeled staring at the creature, it eventually took a noticeably deeper breath. The rattle then oscillated between shaking and falling quiet. As they stood up to leave, backing away, the rattling resumed what it had before. They drove over the Pryor Mountains in hopes of linking dirt road back to Landon’s place. Near the high point on the road, they encountered a section of snow on the road. Albeit a short section and the only section of snow blocking their passageway home, it was too much to risk getting stuck. After an hour of digging, they retreated back. That evening (now back at Landon’s place) they made a fire. They discussed near-future trips that felt important to give focus to, assigning a heart to some, fire to others, and a hole to the ones that can wait.

In the middle of the night, having fallen asleep by the fire, the retreat master (Robin) chased a raccoon up a slender dying tree. The racoon spent the next 12 hours perched, watching.

The following morning Dustin and Landon repeated the same practice of two different pranayama, and Landon guided Dustin through a Yoga Nidra. Following the practice, they both got into the cold river for an extensive amount of time. They drank a warm drink, ate a light breakfast, and then sat by the river- listening to each other. A warm hug signified an end and a beginning. A complete ceremony- severance, initiation, and incorporation.

During these nine days each of us abstained from the use of- screens, alcohol, any mind-altering substances which includes caffeine. For any curiosities regarding what was just shared feel free to ask and we’ll open a conversation together.