The radius of the third, the innermost circle, was always three meters. The circles were laid out with natural materials, varying according to locale, the most widely used substances being either woodchips, stones, shells, or various low growing, aromatic plants and herbs. Whenever the sites were occupied for initiatory seclusion, a dome or round tent was erected over the mound, concealing in its interior the pattern of concentric rings. As an initiate approached this site, and before his feet touched the huge ascending stones, his guide would admonish him to become aware of the symbolism of the stairs. Thus, the neophyte was to experience from his physical contact with the stone insets an active sense of the three processes of foreknower wisdom, bearing them as tools within himself, as if they were directives engraved on the stone tablets of highest consciousness.
Truth is in the meeting place between dynamic poles .
Once inside the dome or tent of concealment, the initiate and his guide embarked on a fast of three days and three nights. Much of this interval was also passed in meditative silence. During the first twenty-four hour period, the two companions sat across from one another at the center of the smaller, innermost circle. They sat in what has always been referred to as Lotus or Indian position. Considering the epidemic deceits of the use-it world, and the unprecedented psychic trauma of the firewar, the difficulties and potential benefits of this rigorous psychic exercise can only be guessed at by the most creative anthropological imaginations.