Sweat Lodge Awareness

I am sure many of you have seen the recent tragedy that occurred at a New Age retreat held in Sedona by “guru” James Arthur Ray. A Native American sweat or purification lodge ceremony was conducted where three people died and 18 were injured.

Details are still forthcoming, but some relevant things are known: 60-plus people were in the lodge. Plastic was used to cover the lodge. Participants fasted for 2 days, and then had a breakfast the day of. Participants paid almost $10000 for the opportunity to spend 5 days at Mr. Ray’s seminar/retreat.

It is not known if Mr. Ray has had any type of training in pouring a sweat lodge. It is not known how many first-timers were in the lodge. There was a nurse present, but it is not known how many people were comfortable with and/or experienced with the sweat lodge ritual and protocols.

While holding in prayer those who died and/or were hurt in this debacle, I am intent on using this mishap as an opportunity to create awareness about this sacred ritual.

While I am not Native American by blood, I have been given my medicine bag by an Arapaho elder and been blessed to facilitate this sacred ceremony. This elder believes in sharing the ancient wisdoms, with those who wish to learn. It is through education, awareness and transparency that ultimately will see us all become one nation, and act as one collective human race.

I feel creating awareness about any and all things Native American will also help evolve and heal the massive wound to our indigenous people that occurred at the time of the birth of the United States.

Did you know our very own U.S. Constitution was roughly based on the model of the Iroquois Nation, and it was an Iroquois chief named Cannasastego who initially proposed the United States be formed as one nation?

Did you also know that when Christopher Columbus first hit American shores in 1492, there were estimated anywhere from 6 to 15 million Native Americans. Though genocide, warfare, disease, forced migration, that number is now in the low 6 figures.

My personal choice is to celebrate the Italian culture, not Columbus(Day).



So what is an Inipi, or sweat/purification lodge?

A sweat lodge is built out of tree saplings, and covered with tarps. Sacred stones, called “grandfather stones, are then brought into the lodge by the firekeeper. The stones are blessed with the Native medicines like sage, sweetgrass, and cedar. Water is then poured on the stones, inducing steam in a sauna-like effect. There are different traditions, and variations, to be sure, but most lodges will have 4 rounds. There is intention setting(or prayer, why one is particpating in the lodge), singing of songs, expression of gratitude, education, and knowledge sharing. The lodge is facilitated by a pourer, whose role is to monitor the ceremony and those participating.

From a dear indigenous medicine friend, revered in the community, and who has poured many lodges:

1. We never cover the lodge with plastic. We only use breathable canvas tarps and old blankets. This allows the steam to go through and avoid burns.
2. We do not force people to sit through the whole process if they can’t endure it, or if they do not feel like staying in.
3. We usually do not fast before a sweat. During the conclusion of some ceremonies where fasting takes place a sweat may follow, if this is the case a whole sweat ( 4 rounds) doesn’t take place.
4. The sweatlodge is not part of a course,workshop, or a training. It is a ceremony to clear the mind, body, share traditional teachings and jokes, send prayers and be in community.
5. There’s never a charge for ceremony, of course there is way to make sure the facilitator is taken care of, and a place and a procedure to do that. No money should be place near the altar or near the lodge.
6. The ceremony may get hot, but never to the point that someone can get hurt. The lodge has never been an endurance test, it is a place for community building and prayer.
7. We do not ingest anything illegal or psychotropic when we go into the sweat, the lodge is a place of ceremony not a rave-like event. We encourage sobriety at all times.
8. We always have helpers tending the fire and to the needs of those who participate in the ceremony.
9. I have the mentorship and monitoring of many indigenous elders and community, they hold me accountable if I deviate from the purpose of the ceremony.
10. Of course there is never any nudity inside the lodge.

The environment of the sweat is inclusive, family oriented, and part of a traditional way of life. We always have young ones, children and babies, who attend with their families.

All true, and so well and succinctly put. I am not here to judge what happened in Sedona, as everyone has their path in life, and sometimes things happen for reasons that are not immediately discernible. What I do aspire to do is to create awareness, and with that awareness hopefully empower people to empower themselves in their choicemaking.

I would add that while certain traditional protocols are maintained during the ceremony, there is no dogma, or adherence to any religion. People are encouraged to speak with their own words, and pray and talk in the manner with which their belief system is most comfortable.

I have experienced much insight and healing in my times of prayer in the purification lodge, and been blessed to witness and share in others' similar experiences as well.

If anyone has any questions about the sacred Inipi(sweat lodge), or would like to have a deeper discussion about some of our experiences, and how we can together create awareness, feel free to write me at eric.majeski@gmail.com

Aho.

Eric