The Sweat Lodge

 The sweat lodge is a Native American spiritual ceremony for prayer and cleansing.  One of our therapist, Charlie Horton and his wife, Maria, provide this ceremony for the community at their home in Winona.  The clients here at B2B have been introduced to this ceremony for over a year now and most of them enjoy the experience.  When we arrive, we have many jobs to do in order for the ceremony to take place.  We are guided by elder guests who share their experience with us, including Maria and Charlie.  The wood needs to be cut on the electric splitter (a modern day tool) and the rocks placed in the fire pit before the fire is started. Most of these rocks have been collected by Maria.  The rocks, wood logs and paper are strategically placed before being lit.  The fire is closely watched to make sure the heat builds up,  getting the rocks literally red hot.  The lodge, in its native language is called a Hogan, and is often built of mud.  Our lodge is built of  juniper twigs as the frame, forming a dome shape and covered with numerous blankets and tarps to keep the the heat in the lodge, therefore, creating a womb like effect.  In the middle of the lodge there is a shallow pit where the rocks are placed during the ceremony.

 

When the rocks are hot, the guests are smudged ( sage leaves are burned over embers from the fire to create smoke and surround guests for cleansing of any negativity of thoughts or feelings prior to entering lodge).  The natives believe that all ceremonies must be entered with a good heart so that we can pray, sing and walk in a sacred manner.  As you enter the lodge, you bow at the door to ask permission to enter and proceed to the left all the way around the circle.  The leader, is the person who pours the water to create the steam and leads the rounds of prayer.  The rocks are brought in by a volunteer who agrees to be the firekeeper and are brought into the lodge 7 rocks at a time for each round.  Once the rocks are brought in, the firekeeper enters the lodge to be a part of the ceremony and  closing the door therefore, making the lodge totally dark with no light entering from any where.

The leader begins to pour the water, praying  as they pour for the outcome of this particular ceremony and for anyones special needs.  During the 3rd round, a peacepipe is smoked. The ceremony lasts about 2 hours, depending on the number of people attending.  The ceremony is concluded after the fourth round.

It gets intensely hot in the lodge and you perspire profusely often causing great discomfort and difficulty breathing.  It is recommended that if you stay close to the ground, known as mother earth, focus on something other than the heat, it can be a rewarding experience.

I personally, have been a part of ceremony for about 15 years.  It has enhanced my spiritual experience in life and has allowed me to learn the power of prayer.  I had great difficulty for many years to trust in a higher power, however, through this native tradition I have been able to connect to “creator” and trust the experience that appears to be more tangible through nature and not organized religion.

I am deeply honored to share this with the clients and those who are interested in the experience.  I thank Charlie and Maria for their leadership and willingness to share their lodge with the community.

— Kathy DuPrez, B2B culinary director and contributing blog writer