Sweatlodge

Many people have come to me for my opinion regarding the deaths at the Sweat lodge in Sedona, so I am compelled to write. Ten years ago, Robert and myself owned several acres in Rio Verde Arizona and conducted sweats on the property. People would travel from all over to have the amazing experience a sweat can provide and to share in the healing community of gathering in such a sacred way. We never once, had anyone get ill, or have a bad experience. The reason why?
Sweats have been around for centeries and many different cultures around the world have conducted them in many different ways. In the United States, our experiences with sweats usually come from hearing of the Native American Sweat.
To have a successful sweat, you must honor everything about the sweat. This includes the history, the preparation, the intent, the participants, the elements, and the great connection with the divine. A sweat is nothing less than a miracle and an incredibly divine experience.
I have NEVER before heard of anyone charging for a sweat. I do not think you should commercialize a spiritual experience or put demands or limits on how or what someone feels their bodies needs, like water or to get out of the lodge……
In my opinion, there are no guru’s other than the one that reside in each one of us. God gave us all insight. We have to listen.
Through out time, there is always someone trying to overpower, and make a profit off anything they can. In today’s world, I am surprised we have not tried charging to breathe. We have to find the value in our self and see it in others, and then we will not have to witness such horrible acts.
In my twenties, I was very aware of my gifts but had not grown into the maturity of sharing and receiving others for theirs. There is no greater pain than to fall from grace and land smack down in the ego. I feel for this man and I feel for the families.
I am asking everyone to watch, listen inside and respond. We have to share our voice and support one another on our paths. No teacher, or leader has all the answers. We all have a piece of the picture and we find our grace when we participate and share. This is not to say the participants in the sweat did not do this.