Madoodiswan
Sweat Lodge
Spiritual
Love
The sweat lodge represents our entry into the physical world from a spiritual place where all things are created. This metaphoric journey allows individuals to become more open to learning and change negative perceptions or reactions to different circumstances encountered in life. The philosophy is also to take people back to a time where our understanding of life was based on spirit rather that the ideas that have been instilled in us since our birth. The primary focus is to develop our intuitive mind and understand our connection to all.
The list below outlines how this is served by the Sweat lodge.
The heat challenges everyone to become aware of another aspect of self that is spirit.
Individuals are encouraged to banish doubts and fears to allow a space for the creative force.
Suggestions are given to release all iil feeling towards people and circumstances.
Work towards releasing all prejudices which are usually leamed through life.
Prayer is encouraged throughout the process to open a channel to the Creator.
Change negative stereotypes and except all beings as equal.
Work at respecting and understanding all things in the Universe.
Exploration and acknowledgement of dreams allows for the co-existence of different paradigms of being.
Exploration of the intuition, deja-vu, coincidences and our consciousness furthers our understanding of a connection to a Universal Source of an All Knowing Entity.
Sharing these perspectives and insights with others greatly advances our understanding and how this information can improve our environment and life overall.
Physical
Strength
Although the sweat lodge is viewed primarily as a spiritual place, it has many physical healing properties that are Universal in nature. Everyone is respected and allowed to pray or express their thoughts in their language of choice. Certain protocols are observed as directed by the sweat lodge keeper, The philosophy behind this custom is widely practised around the world with some variations by different nationalities.
With this wide range of use, comes extensive research that documents the physical benefits in creating this type of environment.
Some of the physical benefits are listed below.
The steam that results activates the sweat glands and toxins are expelled from your body.
The heat relaxes the muscles and relieves stress.
The heat and steam automatically clears pours throughout your body.
The heat and steam helps the liver functions.
The heat also assists the kidney functions.
The environrment also activates the white blood cells which fight off infection or disease.
The sweat lodge acts as 'vaccination' for any infection of disease that may be starting in the physical body.
These benefits apply to all, regardless of race. colour. gender. age or beliefs held by the individual.
As human beings, our water content can vary from 65% to 80% of our physical form and that part of us is being recycled during the time we are in the sweat lodge.
Emotional
Forgiveness
It is believed that our emotions are sacred gifts that enhance our human experience. Understanding our emotions in this way allows us to explore and re-frame how we react to or are impacted by our emotions. These insights help to improve our outlook and improve the quality of life we experience. The sweat lodge allows for freedom of expression and an opportunity to hear other experiences.
The sacred teachings, 'KaKeeQuaEhNun', help in re-enforcing a more positive view of our emotions.
Listed below are some ways that this is facilitated in the sweat lodge.
Everyone is asked to honour their thoughts and express their emotions in the way they desire.
An opportunity to express and release pain or resentments.
Know our emotions as natural gifts and work with them to understand them.
Acceptance of how we react and what we can do to move in the direction of positive change.
Use love and respect as the most prominent emotions in our lives.
The opportunity to listen to other experiences and techniques used to address issues faced by others.
A place where you know that people are listening to you.
The respectful environment allows trust to build and expedite the emotional growth of all participants.
The sharing brings meaning to everyones' experiences.
The "KaKeyQuaEhNun" are passed on as suggestions or reminders to all the different perspectives on emotions that move us to a more enriching experience.
Being exposed to this type of environment will also allow people to further understand their emotions either in expressing or reacting to them.
Psychological
Peace
The sweat lodge keepers bring with them a wealth of knowledge that is shared openly with all participants. They are also gifted with the ability to help others bring their knowledge and experiences into the open to be shared. This custom helps individuals to change the way they think. The ability to take yourself to a place where you are open to learning is paramount.
Some of the avenues utilized are listed below.
Individuals are encouraged to share experiences which allow for reframing analyzing and synthesizing our life.
Teachings are passed on about our connection to all things.
Suggestions as to how you can create an open mind to allow for change and growth.
Honour individual views of the world.
Working towards clearing your thoughts.
Listen to others in their sharing.
