Passages NC: Purification and Empowerment Fall 2024

Our society has become increasingly divided and focused on the individual. Unlike indigenous populations and their focus on their obligations to their communities and the world, western society is focussed on the rights of the individual and, all too often, "what's in it for me". When out of balance, a breakdown in society can occur.

Strong adults are needed to deal with this change and to work together to protect our children and our world. Indigenous societies trained their children with the tools needed to live and work as a community connected to each other and the world around them. Using methods for adulthood training from various traditional cultures, the Passages program offers the opportunity to learn physical and non-physical tools to help one gain a different perspective on life and society.

Welcome to a special weekend intensive, combining training from the first two training Cycles of the Passages program. The first portion of this intensive will focus on Purification, a tool utilized by virtually every traditional culture throughout the world. Purification acts to reduce the distractions of the everyday world and remove our self-imposed limitations in order to provide us an opportunity to interact with the non-physical domain – a domain where trained individuals can perceive and do more than is believed possible. Empowerment allows us to access and utilize this phenomenon – a human conduit through which power can flow in service to others.

OVERVIEW OF INTENSIVE

Passages is taught in an experiential learning format. Through a series of activities followed by discussion, Participants go on a journey of discovery. Students who engage wholeheartedly with the material and activities get the maximum benefit from the program.

SCHEDULE

Training begins Friday night at 8:00 PM with concepts from Purification and continues until 12:00 pm Sunday as we wrap up Empowerment. Training is interactive, hands-on and active. Some topics covered include zazen, sun greeting, seeing, power gait, dreaming body and a sweat lodge, among others exercises.

PREPARATION

Passages training can be intense. Expect minimum time for food and sleep, and maximum time outdoors. You should be reasonably fit and, if under 18, able to provide written legal consent. This seminar is designed to provide you maximum opportunity to directly experience a heightened reality through the elimination of distractions that degrade your abilities. Best results will be obtained by following a simple diet for 14-21 days prior to training. Avoid/reduce commercial meats (particularly red), processed foods (especially fried and sugared), and all drugs (coffee, chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, etc), while emphasizing whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice), fruits and juices (apple, cranberry), dark vegetables, and B-complex vitamins. Practice the skills you learned in previous intensives.

EQUIPMENT

Students should bring two blankets (preferably at least one that is natural fiber), rain poncho, two towels, hygiene items, sleeping bag, cotton bathing/ running shorts, T-shirt, flip flops, running shoes, one gallon jug of water and clothing for extended periods outside. If not traveling via air, please bring a field knife. Temperatures will range from 30°F at night to 60°F during the day. Exclude scented toiletries.

LOCATION

New Hope Camp & Conference Center, 4805 NC-86, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

LODGING / MEALS

Shared lodging is provided for Friday and Saturday night at New Hope Camp. Dogwood Cabin has twin sized bunk beds. Please bring a sleeping bag or appropriate bedding.

Fasting is encouraged on Saturday until the end of the sweat; light snacks will be available. Breakfast and evening meal on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday are included.

Host or Publisher DIRECTIONS ADULTHOOD TRAINING COMMUNITY