MY FIRST SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY
By Simone:
It took me a while to get to my first sweat lodge ceremony as I had experienced a string of illnesses following major surgeries, which had me too unwell to participate. When finally my body was ready for the experience, I was blessed with many weekly experiences of sweat lodge ceremonies which boosted my immune system and emotional strength, and supported my body in maintaining its warmth. Excess cold in the body is a common after effect of surgery, which can cause other physical, mental and emotional illnesses.
The sweat lodge ceremonies that I embarked upon about 8 years ago, broke the cycle of perpetual illness, loss of spirit and vitality for me. Each ceremony revealed new insights and resources for inner healing. This fostered my ability to step back onto my path in healing and traditional medicine, which I had given up in the wake of recovering from cancer. The ceremony also strengthened my relationship with nature and my spirituality and helped me to realise the many avenues of support available to heal myself. It was the perfect opportunity for me to practice being in stillness and peace, to sit honestly with myself and my feelings, rather than to fall into my unhealthy patterns of keeping busy to avoid the pain and hurt being harboured in my body.
Sweat lodge is an opportunity for anyone to renew relationship with self, spirituality, nature and healing. It reveals many resources for support, that are easily forgotten. Our Soul Nurturing business has been built on our passion for providing support and nurturing necessary for maintaining mindful hearts and spirited bodies, qualities that can easily be lost in the distractions of our modern society. Our Sweat lodge ceremony is one of our heartfelt services that foster this.
By Michael:
I had no idea what to expect before experiencing my first sweat. I had made contact with a friend and we arranged to catch up. “I’m running a sweat this evening,why don't you join me and we can chat beforehand. Just bring a towel and make sure you are well hydrated during the day” he said. "No worries",I replied, "I’ll see you this evening".
So I arrived early and we had a chat . Before me was a low dome covered in tarps and to the side some rocks being heated above a burner. People had begun arriving and it was now time to enter the lodge. The heated rocks had been placed in the centre of the lodge and we began entering through a small door positioned in the East. We shuffled around until we finally settled in to prepare for ceremony. The door was closed and I found myself enveloped in darkness. The warmth from the rocks created a focal point, ,much like sitting around a campfire and being transported back to another time.
The ceremony began. Our facilitator guided us around a medicine wheel, to each of the cardinal points, East, North, West, South where we received gifts that could support us in life.
We then journeyed within a story, mythology, to learn a different way of seeing the world. We
chanted and had the opportunity to offer prayer, something I hadn't done since a child. The heat was regulated by the facilitator placing water on the rocks as in a sauna. This process
created a dynamic that fitted the ceremony perfectly. The sweat poured from my body. It was as if receiving a spiritual and physical cleansing at the same time.
There is much more to a sweat ceremony. It speaks to each person differently. Its about your path and journey through life and it will offer you a chance to be regularly in ceremony and community.
I was “hooked” after receiving my first sweat. I looked forward to each ceremony to receuve and explore new insights into my soul's journey.
That was nearly eight years ago now, and since then I have trained and become a facilitator
myself. I consider it an honour to guide people through a Sweat ceremony.
If you wish to experience a Sweat Lodge Ceremony, phone Michael to book your place and be
supported in preparing for the Ceremony. Phone 0417 534 647 or email info@soulnurturing.com.au
