From Arizona comes a tragic story about folks who went on a quest for spiritual growth and ended up ill or dead. The sweat lodge at the Angel Valley Resort had 64 people in it, and of them, 21 ended up going to the hospital. Two later died, and now authorities are investigating.
It's still not clear what the cause of the deaths and illnesses was - tests for carbon monoxide have come back negative. It's also unknown at this point whether any of those taken ill were fasting, or if they had pre-existing medical conditions. However, it looks like part of the problem may stem from the fact that this particular "sweat lodge" was crudely built and covered in plastic.
The sweat lodge was traditionally used by some Native American tribes as a form of ritual to cleanse the body. It was used in a ceremonial fashion, sometimes in anticipation of a big hunt or battle.
The resort was rented by author James Arthur Ray for his "Spiritual Warrior" retreat. Ray, who has appeared a couple of times on Oprah, has come under a lot of fire in the past for his casual appropriation of the ceremonies and rituals of other cultures. Over on Beliefnet, Gus DiZeriga blasts Ray for cramming 64 people into a sweat lodge, all in the name of greed and wealth. Participants paid almost $10,000 for Ray's retreat.
Author Joseph Bruchac, an expert on Native American sweat lodge practices, says, "The sweat lodge needs to be respected... When you imitate someone's tradition and you don't know what you are doing, there's a danger of doing something very wrong."
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It's still not clear what the cause of the deaths and illnesses was - tests for carbon monoxide have come back negative. It's also unknown at this point whether any of those taken ill were fasting, or if they had pre-existing medical conditions. However, it looks like part of the problem may stem from the fact that this particular "sweat lodge" was crudely built and covered in plastic.
The sweat lodge was traditionally used by some Native American tribes as a form of ritual to cleanse the body. It was used in a ceremonial fashion, sometimes in anticipation of a big hunt or battle.
The resort was rented by author James Arthur Ray for his "Spiritual Warrior" retreat. Ray, who has appeared a couple of times on Oprah, has come under a lot of fire in the past for his casual appropriation of the ceremonies and rituals of other cultures. Over on Beliefnet, Gus DiZeriga blasts Ray for cramming 64 people into a sweat lodge, all in the name of greed and wealth. Participants paid almost $10,000 for Ray's retreat.
Author Joseph Bruchac, an expert on Native American sweat lodge practices, says, "The sweat lodge needs to be respected... When you imitate someone's tradition and you don't know what you are doing, there's a danger of doing something very wrong."
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I just heard today through a dear friend about the story which your blog speaks on.
First I’d like to acknowledge the tragedy that cost the lives of two and caused injury to so many(yes i am including Native People as well)
Secondly I’d like to address your talking about First Nation people in past tense as if we no longer exist…
“The sweat lodge {[was]} traditionally used by some Native American tribes as a form of ritual to cleanse the body. It {[was]} used in a ceremonial fashion, sometimes in anticipation of a big hunt or battle”
…your quote without giving mention that WE-First Nation People still use this sacred ceremony today! It is this kind of symbolic annihilation inscribed in the psyche of anglo-americans, good intentioned or not, that continues to render Native People invisible and therefore encourages if not out right gives white people a false sense of authority to appropriate and exploit Native American culture! Because ‘WE’ are but a figment of ‘your’ white imagination!
The tragic deaths in Sedona Arizona are but one example of such gross, ignorance, arrogance and exploitation! How many more white people seeking an “authentic” spiritual experience will have to die at the hands of a false guru fronting as a medicine man? I suppose the answer lies in each and every white person living in this nation who has the choice of first acknowledging then speaking against white privilege to which white racism affords.
Being an educator, i see this as a teachable moment! to teach those around me about Native American culture and contributions, past and present, to this country and to the world at large and shed light on the problems we continue to face in order to challenge the young ones to think critically in our collective search for possible solutions!
i only expect that white people are doing the same to teach their children about everything that has come to surface as a result of the tragedy in Sedona Arizona.
We, First Nation People are continuing to wage the war our fore Mothers and Fathers had waged the moment the first european settler-invaders stepped onto Turtle Island. And so the struggle continues, to preserve our way of life so that the next seven generations may flourish! and thus, our demands remain the same, that we be recognized as a sovereign nation!
i leave you with these questions: do you see yourself an ally and therefore working towards the greater good of Native American People? or are you part of the problem, stuck in the gluttony, comfort and safety of your white skin?
Our way of life is not for sale!
Aho! Ometeotl! Mitakuye Oyasin!
EightSun – while I understand where you’re coming from, I’m reasonably certain that no one reading the article took it to mean that I was saying that Native Americans no longer exist. The use of the word “was” rather than “is” was to indicate the history of the custom, not that the people practicing it are no longer around. I suppose it may just be a matter of semantics, but I don’t think any of my readers are obtuse enough to deliberately misunderstand it.
I do think you make many valid points, particularly about using this as a teaching moment. However, I’d also like to point out that statements like this one: “or are you part of the problem, stuck in the gluttony, comfort and safety of your white skin?” paints all caucasian people with the same broad brush. If stereotyping one group is undesirable, it is also undesirable to stereotype other groups. Just some food for thought.
I think this: “Our way of life is not for sale” is incredibly important to recognize. Too often, people come along like James Arthur Ray and co-opt traditions which are not their own, and turn them into a money-making scheme. It’s why anyone who is interested in learning about another culture should be careful to learn from someone who is qualified to teach it, and not from a “plastic shaman” who has somehow appointed himself keeper of sacred rituals that he doesn’t understand.
patti
I am midway between these comments. I certainly did not read the past tense to mean Native peoples or their ceremonies do not exist. On the other hand, as a practicing Jew, I am also sensitive to people talking about us as if we ceased to exist with the coming of Jesus. (Or the assumption that our ceremonies and dietary laws are “outdated.”) So I do see a need to watch our tenses in these discussions.)
I do agree, however, that it is dangerous to go around appropriating other peoples’ ceremonies. The Christians did this with Judaism and produced many distortions that had catastrophic results in non-Jewish populations.
In the case of the sweat lodge, whatever the medical causes turn out to be, I am pretty sure that no native medicine person would cram 54 people into the same lodge. That was plain out irresponsible. Ceremonies should be led by people who are empowered by the people the ceremonies belong to, not claimed by everyone in the name of “universalism.”
Is there a “right” way of building a sweat lodge? I’m sure there are difference between tribes as to how to build them. Is there a construction code for them, as somebody asks? I mean, I understand somebody building a Sauna, but a sweat lodge? below the radar……..Is there a rigth way to chew Peyote? There is, of course, a way. Under the guidance of somebody who understands the perils of it. Those persons still exist, but they do not blog, nor are politico pseudo activists. Tragedy for the people who lost their lives. Good Blog.
I too read the comments as historical, not present day. I am white, living on a Lakota Reservation, and have participated in many sweat lodge and other ceremonies.
Yes there is a way to build a sweat lodge. The building itself is also done with ceremony, and with proper intent.
While there are people who have been *authorized* to perform these and other ceremonies who are not native, or native of a different nation, there are also many who are not. Both native and non native. In such cases as i have heard or witnessed, there is always some kind of physical fallout as a result of the spiritually misguided actions of those involved.
Many years before i came here, i had an opportunity to attend a similar retreat, albeit for far less money. I did not avail myself of that opportunity, as i realized that if i was supposed to attend a sweat and/or teaching it would come freely, at the proper time in my life.
the eight sun asks if you are one of the enfranchised whites, or are you an ally of native rights – a very valid question, as is his commentary on symbolic annihilation valid and timely. I have seen evidence of this all over the U.S. It is part of the rampant racism that still exists in all of Indian Country, whether Lakota, Dine, Seneca, or any of the myriad nations whose names most will not even recognize.
I fight on almost a daily basis, online and in person, to inform and educate ignorant people of the tragic and criminal lack of truth in our schools, government, and society, of the racist implications of that lack.
Mitakuye Oyasin
I too feel sad that people wanting to claim their power had to die and get taken advantage of. I would address the first comment made by the Native gentleman. Most people who are truly human beinge understand the horrible things The people here suffered at the hands of the Europeans. My great grand mother was full Native American. People all over the world have been conquered. Maybe it is time to pull together and help ALL people realize the value our Earth and all it’s animals hold. Sweatlodges are done all over world by almost every culture. It’s time we all rebuild our lives in a way all wholeness and then it WILL really be about ALL OUR RELATIONS.
WE ARE ALL ONE!
First off, I’d like to say that this is a beautiful discussion. All who have contributed have done so thoughtfully and respectfully. I would not have assumed either that the past tense phrasing was used in a disrespectful way, however, it is indeed valid that more care could be taken when addressing such a sensitive subject. I will have learned from this to be careful with such things myself. Now, I do think that all people, regardless of their cultural background, have the right to hold whatever rituals they wish for the sake of spiritual growth. That being said, offering spiritual guidance should never be a commercial endeavor. It ills me to hear of a man who took such advantage of his brothers and sisters who sought a deeper understanding. The apparent careless imitation of a sweat lodge, and the death and harm it so caused the involved, was undoubtedly a terrible mistake that should be learned from. But what I condemn is not the mistake of planning and know-how. The great wrong that, I believe, was done here was the blatant disrespect and greed displayed by James Arthur Ray.
IT SEEMS LIKE, LIGONUIR’S-,. WATER CONTAMINATION.THREW THE VAPOR’S FROM AND ,OR ,THE ROCK’S.OF SOME SORT.