Sweat Lodge Deaths & Self-Help Gurus: A Question of Accountability

By Jonathan Ellerby, PhD

The recent and tragic events that involved three deaths and more than 19 injured and emotionally traumatized at a James Ray “Spiritual Warrior Retreat” deserves to be treated with some gentleness for this is more than a news item, but a horrific experience of loss and suffering that is impacting far more people than only those who were there. It is also a criminal investigation and a mans career under scrutiny. This “event” brings up some critical issues in our society, and this is one of those important times where we can either learn something that will serve everyone, or fall into the kind of blame and stereotyping that helps no one.

Celebrate & Sweat on 4th of July

If you plan to be in Los Angeles this Fourth of July, celebrate your independence by experiencing a native American Indian Sweat Lodge, hosted by Reiki Master and EFT practitioner, Patti Penn.

An important ritual used by Native American Indians, a sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna to purify the mind, body & soul. The Lodge symbolizes the womb of Grandmother Earth and the heated stones represent her body supporting life. The fire is used to heat the rocks on the outside of the tar-pit (like an igloo) and represent the perpetual light. Once these stones are brought into the lodge the water is poured upon them to create hissing steam, which permeates the air, creating a hot, humid atmosphere as the creative force of the universe is being activated.

“For me, this beautiful ceremony recognizes the trilogy of how our thoughts manifesting our well-being as well as the physical releasing of chemical manipulation in our water, food and air,” Patti says. “We will be addressing your “Pursuit of Happiness” in this sweat. What is will look like? What you need to release to be happy? What is happiness to you?“

All four elements of earth, fire, water and air combined with ancestors energies creates an atmosphere of intense release as participants sit in the pitch dark. This represents human ignorance, as you are unable to distract yourself from yourself.

“Yes, you get to sit in your own stuff,” Patti says.

There are four main rounds in ceremony, as the flap to the tar-pit is opened on three occasions allowing in more hot stones the heat will build. Round one involved calling in the sacred energies and our ancestors to sweat with. Prayers are then offered one-by-one for healing, transformation, expansion, clarity, courage, wisdom or blessing. The second round is an offering of prayers for others within the world, family, our friends, children or pets.

“The third round is known as our give away round whereby we release all our “stuff” that limits, impedes, holds us back; this is done in unison as we do not need to listen to each others ‘stuff’,” Patti says. “I will lead chants in between rounds to connect through sacred sound and focus our distracted energy as each round begins.”

Patti says the final round thanks all the 22 energies invoked to assist in the healing by recognizing “we are those energies and honoring them within ourselves”.

“This intense sense of community shares our energy to release and heal, as the power within all of us is stronger than the power within one of us. Each round offers new test of endurance of the heat, your feelings and yourself as a celebration of your spirit”

For more information see www.pause.me.uk/s_sweat.asp or to book, email Patti at contact@reiki-eft.com