For the past week I've received numerous calls from friends and clients regarding the recent deaths of the 3 people involved using a sweatlodge at a spiritual retreat in Sedona Arizona. I'm sure you've heard or read about this news by now.
First of all, the operation was commercially run. These people paid $9,000 each to be part of a weekend called "Spiritual Warrior" run by self made spiritual guru, millionaire and non-native James Ray.
Native American people do not charge for sweatlodges. You have to be invited by a tribal member before you can partake of the sweat. Throughout all my time traveling through Indian Country, I've been invited twice and have only participated in one sweat along with seven female tribal members of the Crow Nation. Of course there was no charge.
Of all the dozens of constructed sweat houses that I've come across and photographed, I've never seen as large a one used that is 415 square feet and holds 50 people! The general size of a REAL Native American sweatlodge would hold between 4-10 men or women, depending on size of structure and participants. Also, sweatlodge ceremonies are not of mixed sexes. Men most commonly will sweat first and then afterwards, while the rocks are still hot, the women will have their own time inside. Obviously I'm not a sweatlodge enthusiast. But 2 hours inside the dome-shaped sauna with no breaks or water? The number 4 is very sacred to all tribes and the ceremonies are broken up into 4 sessions so you can remain inside the sweat or come out to drink or drench yourself with water. Or, like my ladies group of sweatlodge participants, have a cigarette.
Sedona Arizona is the laughing stock of spiritual guru hopefuls who make considerable incomes by offering bogus American Indian ceremonies. How come when white's get involved with anything that may help others it's always centered around greed and money? Especially in the spiritual arena that tends to offer non-tangible products.
Ray's recent postings on his Twitter account said he was "shocked and saddened" by the tragedy.
"My deep heartfelt condolences to family and friends of those who lost their lives," he wrote. "I am spending the weekend in prayer and meditation for all involved in this difficult time; and I ask you to join me in doing the same." Great words for a self centered guru trying to cover his ass.
Ray claims to help people achieve both spiritual and financial wealth through his corporation called Harmonic Wealth®. His wisdom and promise is that after one of his retreats "You simply will make more money and become more successful" and "will double, triple, even multiply by ten the size of your business."
One promise of Ray's that was made absolutely true on October 9th was "My five-day "Spiritual Warrior" retreat promises to "absolutely change your life." It did change the lives of three people including their families.
Good article...I wondered what the true story was as the newspaper accounts sounded sketchy. So sad these people bought into the promise and died for it.
ReplyDeleteI am a Lakota Indian from Rosebud SD!There is a declaration of war supposedly drawn up on tese kinds of frauds.This was drn up by elders of the Oglala Lakota! Are these people doing anything concerning Sedona?This declaration tells all Indians to unite againstthis kid of thing!Instead we gripe about it and throw out more info for these dispicable hucksters on how we do things and how white people dothis or that wrong! Wesley Small Wasted Bear!
ReplyDeleteMaybe this unfortunate event will point out more of the "hucksters" who call themselves shamans for the sole (soul) purpose of making dollars. The sweat, as Wesley Small Wasted Bear has pointed out, like the land, has been stolen by whites. The sweatlodge ceremony should only be conducted by tribal elders and or their spiritual leaders. My head's still spinning on how much these scammers charge for their weekend retreats.
ReplyDeleteIf the whites who were scammed wanted to do the right thing, they would organize a class action suit against James Ray and his bogus organization and then divide the proceeds up and give to the tribes of the Southwest that are living at, and often below, the poverty level. My tribe has been fortunate and has been brought out of poverty, been able to distribute per cap checks to all tribal members regularly, and has improved the living conditions for members still living on the reservation by constructing a casino/resort on tribal land. I often weep for my Southwestern native brothers and sisters when I read of their living conditions.
ReplyDeleteShel Osterle
Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Nation
The Inipi (Sweat Lodge) is a powerful ceremony and the Tunkasila (Spirits) that belong to it are very strict and powerful beyond our imagining. This white man and others may not realize that the Tunkasilas have taken action to stop this misuse of our ceremonies. That is why the tragedy occurred.
ReplyDeleteI posted this also on our Linkedin discussion section. While it is relevant to consider the logistics of how this tragedy took place I am afraid the problem goes deeper than that. This incident is another example of white america's tendency to assign monetary value to everything including spiritual matters. Everything is for sale which follows the deranged notion that all institutions should be run like businesses. So we have the corporate model imposed on education, government and all facets of this culture, and the effects are mostly toxic.
ReplyDeleteWe need to re-evaluate where we are going in this country, and this is precisely the time when some of the old ways need to come back
Sedona Arizona is one of the best place. The stunning natural beauty of the area combined with its relaxed atmosphere. It is the popular tourist destination.
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ReplyDelete