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| Undressed lodge in the snow |
We were going to a sweat lodge on a cold February night. I have actually been once before with some of the same people, but it is still a new and slightly scary experience which, I thought I would share with you.
I am definitely no expert on the sweat lodges but I have read up a bit on the web and now have my own experiences to call upon. The following link is an interesting article that explains a lot and amusingly describes how its all the fault of us unclean and corrupt Europeans! Seems likely. http://www.barefootsworld.net/sweatlodge.html
The host, and sweat lodge leader lives in a beautifully remote spot in the Vosges mountains. She is a very natural person, at ease with herself and nature, she is also a very creative and accomplished artist. So you get the picture, its back to nature and leave behind all your worldly shit and lets spend time on getting real. Not an easy process for most of us.
Taking part in a sweat lodge is not a case of turning up when its ready, we all help with the preparations. Building the fire, adding the stones, dressing the lodge with coverings. Then there is getting to know the other lodgers and relaxing from worldly affairs. I already knew 3 of us and met 2 more for the first time, they were lovely very friendly and kind. I don't think nazi's or knobs go to sweat lodges very often.. We were all there for very spiritual and meaning of life reasons.
When all was ready some simple rituals were performed, blessing the fire and preparations, then the fire was lit, well twice actually as it didn't catch the first time (must have left something out of the blessing!). This was a great time, it was starting to get dark and the fire kept us warm and excited (me) nearly time to go in!
The fire burnt down and the stones were really hot, we all discreetly got undressed and wrapped ourselves in our towels and the sweat lodge leader went into the lodge, a bit more ritual, then we all went in one by one but leaving one of us outside ready to pass the stones in.
Note: You may think that I am being a bit sarky or dismissive of the rituals but that is not true. I respect them but don't understand them yet and as they were delivered in one of 2 languages. A native american indian, which I don't understand at all and French which I understand a bit.. but not this subject area! I didn't really know what was being said. So no offence meant. Everybody was really helpful and friendly and did try to explain stuff.
We were all inside and the hot stones were brought in and the door closed! There is more blessings and a drum is beaten and it is dark.. I mean pitch black, I can't see anything.. not even me! Its hot but not very, then water is put on the stones and there is a wave or cloud of heat that washes over you.
There are four sessions or doors that get steadily hotter and the whole thing can last for 2 hours. The last time I just did the first door, and when I came out I was very unsteady.This time I was looking to stay longer.
Each session follows a relaxed process of blessings, speeches, songs and chants.. and heat, lots of heat.
I am sure that each person has a very different experience but for me, I found myself going from being acutely aware of my body, hot, sweaty, cramped, heavy breathing and aching joints to, feeling like I was floating and no sense of my body at all. I had heard that when meditating it is useful to concentrate on one spot and to through out any thoughts that come into your mind, I did this some of the time and enjoyed a very peaceful and calm feeling.
I should of mentioned that before the sweat lodge, my head was not in a very good place and I was disappointed about this as I thought it might get in the way. It did a bit but I still benefited tremendously from the experience.
I only managed to stay in for 2 doors as I was not comfortable and had a nagging thought that I should be reasonable for the sake of my health.
If you ever get the chance to go to a sweat lodge, I would recommend you give it a try.. with an open mind.
