| View Blog
|
|
|
|
In earlier years I spent some time with Native American people. It was one of the most fulfilling times in my life. I was priveleged to have been allowed to participate in the sweat lodges. I did this for nearly a year and it was a wonderfully healing and spirtually awakening experince. I would highly recommend anyone do this at least once if you are granted the opportunity.
I also went on the Longest Walk to Washington D.C. but that's another post :)
A sweat lodge is made from tree brancehs and limbs that are bent toward the middle and tied together to form a "mound" shaped structure (A half circle). This frame is then covered with animal furs. I'm sure there's more to it that this but I never saw one built. On the day of the "sweat" someone builds a fire in a fire pit. First they put down large rocks then buid the fire on top of the rocks. The sweats I went to were all held about 4 am (dark) and when the sun started coming up the sweat was over.
When the fire has burned down and the rocks are very hot, the shaman/medicine man prays to the 4 directions, smokes a pipe and the sweat begins. A flap is opened in the front of the sweat lodge (the structure I described earlier) and several people go in. There is a pit dug in the center of the sweat lodge and when everyone is seated on the ground around the pit the hot rocks are moved into the pit and the flap is closed. There are two leaders who sit near the front of the sweat lodge. They periodically pour water onto the rocks to make steam. The leader prays and pours water and the people pray one at a time around the circle. A dipper of water is passed around and everyone takes a drink. There are more prayers and "lessons" and quiet times with the steam. When this is done, the flap is opened and the next people enter the lodge as the first group leaves.
As you leave the sweat water from a barrel is poured over your head (in the winter they have to break the ice to get to the water. Then you are "dried" with an eagle feather with a prayer. Not dried, the eagle feather is simply fluttered back and forth with smoke from burning (sage?...I can't remember) being "blown" toward you with the feather.
After everyone has taken their turn we all gather together to have breakfast and talk. It was an amazing experience and I will always be so grateful that I had this opportunity.
Thought for the day:
Maybe a little suffering helps us remember to be grateful :)
|
|
Posted by seniorlady on 2007-11-19 18:51:57 | Rating: | Views: 115
|
|
| |
|
|
| Blog Comments
|
|
|
|
hi lady!
...very cool. well, no. it must have been very hot, but you know what i mean...
:o)
|
|
Posted by badlydrawnstickman
on 2007-11-19 19:10:34
|
|
|
|
Hugs and love sent.
mail got, thank you, nods
just bless you. I will try and email
|
|
Posted by kentlass
on 2007-11-21 11:28:06
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email This to a Friend 
