The Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Across many cultures we see various pathways for healing, for connecting with the sacred, for the acquiring of insights and spiritual knowledge. Ceremonies that allow the participants to move beyond ordinary consciousness and unify both physical and spiritual aspects.

The sweat ceremony is a beautiful and powerful ceremony that touches us deep within, whilst giving us the opportunity to acknowledge our connection to the world around us.

Sweating is a common practice among various cultures for spiritual purification, healing, detoxification, and for promoting good health.

The sweat ceremony as we perform it is a contempory practice inspired by our teachers, our heritage, as well as our connection with the Australian landscape of our birth, our Spirit of place.

Our Sweat Lodge ceremonies are not endurance tests. Rather they are a sacred space of prayer and purification, of personal sacrifice and introspection, of receiving visions, guidance and healing, of sharing wisdoms.

If you do have any medical conditions it is advisable to seek medical advice, and inform us, prior to attendance. While the safety of the group is our priority, by your attendance, you knowingly accept full responsibility for your self and your well-being.

While we do not charge a fee for the ceremony we do ask for a donation towards the running cost and up-keep. (if you can't think of how much to donate then simply ask yourself what it is worth to you, and what you can afford).
 

What to Expect

The sweat lodge ceremony is held at a private residence in the foothills of Perth. You will be greeted in a friendly welcoming manner. You may chat with those in attendance, help with the preparations, or find a space in the garden to sit quietly until time to gather together in circle for the beginning of the ceremony.

At this point we will sit and the facilitator will introduce the ceremony. We will then join together to drum, etc, and then take turns to introduce ourselves and offer our thoughts and intentions for taking part. This sharing helps create a greater sense of unity between those involved as well as bringing your intention into the physical, grounding it. 

Then, in silence, we will be get changed and prepare to enter the lodge. The lodge is a covered 'igloo shaped' structure which represents the 'womb' of the Earth, the whole process being symbolic of rebirth. We will smudge ourselves with a sacred herb and enter the lodge.

The lodge experience itself may be seen as a 'spiritual sauna', and involves hot rocks used to create steam. You will be guided through the process and led to chant or offer prayer, or you may simply wish to remain in silence. However the space is in almost darkness (the stones themselves may offer a glow), and the only judgment present will be your own, so use the experience to open up, be present, offer and receive.

When it is time to leave the lodge we will leave in silence and, when ready, wash and get changed into our clothing. Then we will sit in circle again and take turns to offer anything we may wish to share, once again this sharing helps offer a sense of unity as well as grounding the experience into the physical. Once this has been done it is time to share in the meal and when ready, to make our way home.     

Attending the Lodge

The sweat lodge ceremony should be entered into with reverence and preparation.

Consider that the ceremony begins once you make the conscious decision to attend the lodge and have confirmed your attendance, rather than when you arrive at the lodge location. Therefore consider your actions and intentions leading up to the event and how this will reflect on your experience. On the days leading up to the sweat you may wish to spend some time in reflection and / or meditation, perhaps spending time alone amongst nature, and create an intention  for you participation in the ceremony.

For those who have never experienced the sweat lodge previously be aware that this is an initiatory experience for you and it is only natural that feelings and questions may arise. Please feel free to contact us regarding these. 

Treat your body with respect as the sweat lodge can be challenging. On the day of the ceremony please eat a wholesome breakfast, preferably of fresh whole foods which are free of preservatives. Make sure you drink lots of water all day, up until an hour or so before the sweat so that your bladder has a chance to empty before you enter the sweat. Eat a light lunch and try to fast for the rest of the day, if need be simply eat a piece of fruit.

After the sweat we will share food.

What to Bring

• Bottle of drinking water.

• Two towels.

• A sarong to wear during the sweat. 

• Change of comfortable clothes for after the sweat.

• A plate of preservative free vegetarian or vegan food to share.

• Instruments