Sweat lodge is a unique experience that is part of the Native American tradition. They probably vary by facilitator and tribe and by who attends the particular sweat. I was lucky to attend the first sweat lodge at a friend’s land where Native Americans had previously performed ceremonies.
Our leader was a Cherokee Indian named Carlo. He has Sitting Bulls peace pipe. He goes all over the world doing sweat lodges with peoples of all nations to promote peace. In the sweat lodge all people are the same. There is no separation by color, race or creed.The other members were Carlo’s cousin Mary, myself, Paul, Allen and John.
The sweat lodge is a way to detox and clear the toxins out of your body as well as a way to connect spiritually to all the people sweating with you. During the day of the sweat lodge I fasted and prayed. I also did not have caffeine or alcohol for 24 hours. I was nervous that I would not be able to complete the experience as I tend to overheat easily. I asked for guidance from God and my guardian angels.
The sweat lodge is a prayerful experience. This physical lodge is made of saplings covered with canvas cloth. In the center is a pit which holds stones which have been heated in the fire. The leader carefully picks these rocks so that they do no break during the ceremony and hit anyone. There is also an alter outside the door. I know there was a medicine bundle on the alter two feathers and a plaque of a spider. The medicine bundle contains the peace pipe, feathers and some other items.
Our lodge faced the west with the door to the west. We offer tobacco to the fire. Then burning sage is used to purify each of us. The smoke wafts around each of us . We follow the leader entering from the north and going clockwise around the inside until he stops at the door. The woman go in first then the men. The lodge comfortably fits 6 of us.
Carlo tells us of sweat lodges he has done with 60 people. That must have been very interesting.
The five of us are sitting on mats facing the fire pit. Carlo does a blessing and the doorkeeper( the person who brings the stones and closes and opens the door) brings 5 very hot stones and they are placed in the pit. The door keeper brings water to the door and Carlo blesses the water then pours water on the hot stones. When the door is shut it is absolutely dark. Mary told me that this can be very scary for some people but I did not mind it at all. It may have been that I was prepared by her for the darkness.
The heat is intense. Mary, Carlo’s cousin has lent me a towel. I cover my legs and arms with it. She also gave me sage rolled up to hold over my nose if the smoke gets to me. At times I put the towel over my face so the smoke does not get in my eyes. The first prayer begins in the West.
Carlo starts with a prayer sending love and healing to all the people’s of the earth and asks Source for endurance so we can all make it through the sweat. He says that we already have strength but we need endurance to go beyond what we are capable of tolerating. He sings an Indian song and several of the other participants join him. I join him in spirit asking our creator to hear these prayers and to give me endurance. I think it is about 30 minutes but it may have been shorter and the door is opened. Fresh air enters and cools. Carlo asks if we have questions. My mind is an empty slate. Paul, sitting next to me asks a very good question but I am not able to recall it. Carlo tells us that when the canvas is off the branches forming the lodge it would be possible to see different sets of stars from each area of the lodge. It is also going to be a sacred energy spot that the owner will be responsible for maintaining the space.
The doorkeeper adds 5 more hot stones to our fire pit. Each stone is blessed as it is placed it the pit. One stone glows orange and looks like it has a symbol on it. Water is blessed and poured over the stones. The door is closed. This prayer is to the north. Carlo and the others sing another Indian prayed song. Again, I just try to envision my prayers going up with the song to the creator in the smoke. After about what seemed to be 30 minutes or so the doorkeeper opens the door and cooler air wafts into the lodge. Ahhhh. The doorkeeper is feeling ill, overheated. He brings us some more stones for the fire pit. Carlo blesses each stone and then the water when it arrives. The doorkeeper brings the peace pipe. It is filled with tobacco and blessed. It is passed to each one of us. I have a hard time inhaling the tobacco. It has to be relit. When we have passed the pipe the doorkeeper shuts the door. He stays outside. Carlo pours water over the stones and the heat rises up. I felt so hot and I was going to take the towel off my face and legs but it is hotter without the towel so I leave it on my body. This time the prayer is to the east. Carlo starts a song and the others join in and I can feel these prayers going up with the smoke.
When the door opens, I feel the need to stretch my back. I do a yoga pose called child. My face is near the grass and it feels cool here. I return to sitting. There is not much room to change position. The doorkeeper brings 5 more stones. Carlo blesses each stone. It is mesmerizing. Carlo blesses the water and then passes each of us a horn of water to drink. It tastes so sweet. The door is closed and water is poured over the hot stones and the heat is intense. I suddenly feel a blast of water hit my face. Thank you I pray silently. AS it is dark, I am unable to tell if anyone else gets hit with water or if Carlo just knows that I am soooo overheated. This last round is to the south direction. Here we each offer a prayer, silently or out loud. All of us offered a prayer out loud. I think there was a final song. Then we were able to offer any other prayers that came to us. I was thankful for my friends opening their land for this lodge and for Carlo coming from MO. to lead us. I was thankful for Mary, Allen, Paul and John. I was thankful that it was almost over and I had made it to the end.
WE headed outside and I felt a little shaky and very warm. The evening air was cool and we cooled off quickly as we were soaked. After 10 or 15 minutes, I walked back to the house to ground myself. As I walked, I heard drumming coming from the east. I went in the house to change into dry clothes.
Our friends had made Elk chili for dinner. We are and shared and enjoyed the time.
Carlo told me that he has a 120 acre retreat center in Mo.
I thought it was a wonderful experience. Carlo said that he does not usually offer water during the sweat but I am glad he did.