Consciousness School & Community
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Sweat Lodge CeremoniesInspiration sponsors sweat lodge purification ceremonies, Native American ritual for healing, cleansing, celebrating, and connecting with the Spirit present in all things. Inspiration sweat lodge facilitators believe that the essence of the lodge is revealed in a few principles. In the sweat lodge, we move to the edge as a celebration of going to the physical limits, creating a sense of aliveness. On this edge, what isn't important falls away. We make friends with our fears instead of seeing fear as the enemy. We learn self-discipline. Body and spirit relate and become united, we are in touch with the primal elements: fire, water, air and earth. The lodge is precognitive, pre-symbolic; it strips away cognitive concepts so we feel the essential self. The lodge is built of green saplings, cut with great reverence for the gift of their lives. Tarps and blankets cover the lodge. Rocks are ceremonially heated in a large fire; when they are red hot, everyone enters the lodge and the rocks are carried inside. The door is closed, herbs and then water are placed on the rocks. We sing, chant, pray, allow ourselves to venture into the unknown.
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A New VisionA new vision for Sweat Lodges, grounded in the spirit of community, service, discipline, and commitment, is being developed. Persons who are interested in participating are asked to support the entire process-- from planning which materials must be gathered to folding the blankets at the conclusion of the lodge. As Ron Orem, Sweat lodge facilitator reminds us, "Without the gathering of materials, and the relationship with others, the ceremony has no body, no substance. Arriving to enter the lodge just as the door is about to close for the first round is little different from sitting down to table at a wonderful meal planned, prepared, and served by others. We may have full bellies, but little community, little opportunity to fully engage the ceremony". If you are interested in participating in a class with Ron that will explore the values of right action and commitment, within the context of the Sweat lodge ritual, please email us. The first class will be held in October.Hot RocksHot rocksBurning, smoldering, glowing Sweat dripping in the dark hot lodge Let me out! Burning fire Wood splitting Turtle shells and hawks wings Red buckets of water The hose Cold, cold water on hot, hot skin Release Drumming Head to mother earth Hot rocks on pitchforks The door is shut, anonymous bodies Red rocks glow in the darkened space Sage smells and sparkles from the hawk’s wing A story, a prayer An Indian chant Sputtering droplets of water Steam brings more heat I’m alive! --Julie Sullivan |
DetailsThe next sweat lodge will be on Saturday February 13, 2010. Contact Barbara Johnson (410-224-3339) or Ron Orem (410-581-3751) for more information. Mark your calendar: Spring sweat lodge - April 10, 2010 All are welcome to join this sacred ceremony, led by Ron Orem. Join us as we enter the lodge to cleanse and heal mind, body and spirit. Ceremony starts at 9:00 AM. Please arrive early to assist with preparation of the lodge. Drink plenty of water in the two days before coming to the sweat. Bring a swimsuit or light cotton clothing to wear into the lodge. Bring sandals, a towel or two, and water to drink. Plan not to wear loose jewelry or contact lenses into the lodge. Also, you might want to bring work gloves and sturdy old shoes for working with the wood, rocks, water, and fire.We ask a donation of $10-$20 to help pay for wood and other supplies. Directions - please follow the directions below to get to the land. Park in the grass before you get to the house. Walk past the shed on your left. The lodge site is just beyond it. 
Please HelpNeeded: used blankets (not sheets) for covering the Sweat Lodge. Please leave any blankets in the red shed between parking area and the lodge structure. |
Inspiration Community, 9721 Sherwood Farm Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117