Sweat Lodge

Sweat Lodge Ceremonies

Inspiration sponsors sweat lodge purification ceremonies, Native American ritual for healing, cleansing, celebrating, and connecting with the Spirit present in all things. Inspiration sweat lodge facilitators believe that the essence of the lodge is revealed in a few principles. In the sweat lodge, we move to the edge as a celebration of going to the physical limits, creating a sense of aliveness. On this edge, what isn't important falls away. We make friends with our fears instead of seeing fear as the enemy. We learn self-discipline. Body and spirit relate and become united, we are in touch with the primal elements: fire, water, air and earth. The lodge is precognitive, pre-symbolic; it strips away cognitive concepts so we feel the essential self.

The lodge is built of green saplings, cut with great reverence for the gift of their lives. Tarps and blankets cover the lodge. Rocks are ceremonially heated in a large fire; when they are red hot, everyone enters the lodge and the rocks are carried inside. The door is closed, herbs and then water are placed on the rocks. We sing, chant, pray, allow ourselves to venture into the unknown.

A New Vision

A new vision for Sweat Lodges, grounded in the spirit of community, service, discipline, and commitment, is being developed. Persons who are interested in participating are asked to support the entire process– from planning which materials must be gathered to folding the blankets at the conclusion of the lodge. As Ron Orem, Sweat lodge facilitator reminds us, "Without the gathering of materials, and the relationship with others, the ceremony has no body, no substance. Arriving to enter the lodge just as the door is about to close for the first round is little different from sitting down to table at a wonderful meal planned, prepared, and served by others. We may have full bellies, but little community, little opportunity to fully engage the ceremony".

Hot Rocks

Hot rocks
Burning, smoldering, glowing
Sweat dripping in the dark hot lodge
Let me out!

Burning fire
Wood splitting
Turtle shells and hawks wings
Red buckets of water
The hose
Cold, cold water on hot, hot skin
Release

Drumming
Head to mother earth
Hot rocks on pitchforks
The door is shut, anonymous bodies
Red rocks glow in the darkened space
Sage smells and sparkles from the hawk’s wing
A story, a prayer
An Indian chant
Sputtering droplets of water
Steam brings more heat
I’m alive!
–Julie Sullivan

Details

The next sweat lodges for 2011 will be on:

• June 25
• September 10
  
• October 29

For more information:

Patricia Brightwell:  443-632-8191   earthandsky4@gmail.com

Morgan Lisle:  410-627-5779  mlmlisle2@gmail.com

All are welcome to join this sacred ceremony, led by Patricia Brightwell and Morgan Lisle. Join us as we enter the lodge to cleanse and heal mind, body and spirit.

Ceremony starts at 9:00 AM with preparation of the lodge and fire. Ending time is variable, and not likely before 1 or 2pm.

Drink plenty of water in the two days before coming to the sweat.

Bring a swimsuit or light cotton clothing to wear into the lodge. Bring sandals, a towel or two, and water to drink. Plan not to wear loose jewelry or contact lenses into the lodge.

If you have accessibility, bring a Rock for the Fire–about the size of a small melon. Granite & limestone are perfect. No water-absorbing rocks (for example: sandstone).

Also, you might want to bring work gloves and sturdy old shoes for working with the wood, rocks, water, and fire.

Directions – please follow the directions below to get to the land.  Park in the grass before you get to the house.  Walk past the shed on your left.  The lodge site is just beyond it.

An Opportunity to Contribute

Needed: used blankets (not sheets) for covering the Sweat Lodge. Please leave any blankets in the red shed between parking area and the lodge structure.