If you have been here before write for the link to the online ticketing service.
If you have never been here for a sweat
lodge, you will need to introduce yourself in writing in order to be invited. There is a several step process which you can expect to take several
days to accomplish. If you are interested in coming with someone else,
that person must also complete this process themselves. Do not
procrastinate. The sweat lodge registration period ends 48 hours before
the sweat lodge and it may take several days to exchange emails.
1) Read the Sweat Lodge Q&A
2) Write an introductory email to me and tell me something about yourself. Please be sure to include all the items asked for:
a) How are you called to the sweat lodge?
b) How did you find us? If someone who has been here told you about us, tell me that person's name.
c) Have you been to sweat lodges before? Tell us about any prior sweat lodges you have attended, where, with whom, how was that experience.
d) To be sure
you have read the Sweat Lodge Q&A, tell me which question seemed most important
to you, and why.
3) If you answer all the above I will respond to your introductory
email with information on how to use the sweat lodge web registration system and
directions to my home.
On occasion, I may ask for more information and I expect that there may be some people I will not invite to join us at a lodge. This is my home, not a store, and I reserve the right to decline attendance to anyone, at my own discretion, even without an explanation. I will tell you this much, the most likely reason that I may turn someone away is if they display a sense of entitlement or if they seem unable or unwilling to follow these directions.
WHY AM I BEING "SO MEAN"?
Recently, after 13 years of doing ceremony here, we came to the attention of the
local government. Some neighbors had expressed concern and we were
required to cease operations for a few weeks. After some time of prayer, I met with the
local zoning officer and found him to very helpful. He had done his home
work and understood the spiritual nature of the sweat lodge and that they could
continue after I made it clear that we would not do "for pay"
workshops here. And reflecting about it all, I could see that the things
that the neighbors might find annoying are the same things that I have concerns
about. The neighbors sometimes feel that there are too many
cars, too many people, and they worry about "what kind of people" come
here. These are things that concern me also. When more people show
up for a lodge than expected, we end up with too many people and too many
cars. Those are the times when I feel that the sacredness of the sweat
lodge is not respected. And if people come here without a sensitivity for
the sacredness of the sweat lodge ceremony, I join with the neighbors in
wondering what kind of people are coming here.
Here are some things that are important
to know:
1) Sweats will be
limited to 20 attendees
2) Attendees will
have to pre-register at least 48 hours before a sweat (registration will not be
available until 21 days before a sweat)
3) Registration
will be done at an online ticketing service, you will have to write to me
to get the link
4) DO NOT BRING ANYONE who has not introduced themselves
by the procedure above. This is my home, not a store, and I owe it
to myself as well as my neighbors, to know who comes here.
5) BE ON TIME:
no last minute arrival - plan things so you can be here at 6:30 PM and plan on
leaving by 9:30 PM
6) It is much
more strongly recommended that each person support the sweat lodge with the $20
suggested donation.
7) Hang on to
the link for the on-line reservation system as the upcoming
sweat lodge schedule will not be included in emails in the future. It will not
be on the web site. Everyone who comes here will have to have email and be
on my email list.
I know that these changes will make it harder
for some people. Well, in a sense that IS the intent. You see, although I
nurture my sense of spontaneity, I must temper that with responsibility.
And nowhere else is this more important than in my spiritual life. My
daily
meditation practice is dependent on disciplined action and so is my prayer.
The right attitude towards prayer includes a level of consciousness that would
suggest planning ahead, a commitment to being there on time, and planning so a
conscious contribution can be made. What I hope this will eliminate is the
person who comes to the sweat lodge as if they have nothing else to do and
contributes only what they have left over - that just doesn't feel respectful.
And I can say that 100 % of the times when a new comer has had a bad experience,
they have not been in touch with me before coming here. I know that you
may feel that your friend "needs" this lodge, but let me communicate
with them and let us make an informed decision. Please continue to share
your experience, but don't bring that person, send them to me.
Everyone who comes must use the
pre-registration web site. The schedule page is gone, I will be sending out
group mails with the schedule.