Purged

Today, I ventured out to the greenhouse and worked in there for about 20-30 minutes. Even with the small box window airconditioner and the ocillating fan that belonged to my mother, the heat was intense enough that I was covered in sweat in about 10 minutes. Surprisingly, I did not mind it. I felt, in fact, vigorously alive, purged, and ... well, like I was having a spiritual experience. I understood what it might be like to be in a sweat lodge except my version is a small forest of green humidity.

I have been reading My Experience in an Inipi Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony -- and learning. The author, Michael Chary, mentions the "bogus sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona" where people died:

"A new age group outside of Sedona was running a large “sweatbox” with 50 to 60 people inside – about five times the number of people normally welcomed into a lodge. The “ceremony” took place at a for-profit resort without native sanctioning or supervision. A clear example of what can go wrong when native culture is appropriated."

(painting by Ikce Wicasa, https://www.artmajeur.com/en/ikce-wicasa/artworks/10837756/sweat-lodge-inipi)

The true sweat lodge ceremony is an act of purification, a practice of being re-born and restoring strength. The lodge itself is made of willow trees covered with hides, and it is part of a specific landscape:

"On the outside, the formation of the site comprises an earth mound just outside the door of the sweat lodge, facing east, and a fire pit containing stones. The fire represents the sun. Another mound partially encircling the fire pit represents the crescent moon. This is the outer world or cosmos; the inner world is the sweat lodge. It represents the womb of the universe from which souls are created anew." (Inipi)

Prayer is an important part of preparation.

Entering my greenhouse door seems to me to be a prayer. I invite all that is good, healthy, and plentiful to join me there. And anything I bring with me that is negative, I hope to let it go. Whatever my strong emotions may be, I hope to use "compassionate abiding" (thank you, Candace Chellew, for introducing this term to me) --- to sit with them until they subside or make more sense. If you don't know Candace, she's the pastor at Jubilee Circle, where I actually attend church when I'm not keeping church at home with dirt under my fingernails.

I've been watching her services online, and today she reminded us how kind it is to give ourselves a cold cup of water (literally and spiritually). When I'm in the greenhouse sweating, I know that when I leave that sacred space, I can go to the kitchen and quench my thirst, and it is a gift. 

If you want to get up close and personal with a glass of ice water, take a look at James Gurney's video Painting Ice Water.

Chardin has also given us this marvelous still life, if we are willing to get still and truly see it:

"Chardin always looks at the world as if he is seeing it for the first time. The intensity of his vision focuses on the beauty of the everyday objects that surround us - a beauty that we take for granted as we are often too close to see it. From Chardin we learn that there is hidden character on the charred surface of an old coffee pot, or a jewel-like radiance in the crystal clarity of a glass of water. Like all good art his paintings open our eyes and teach us to see afresh." Glass of Water and Coffee Pot

So... where are we looking for beauty, power, and strength? A friend shared with me that years ago she participated in a true sweat lodge ceremony, and  it was an exceptional experience, one she probably won't repeat, but she understood the power of it. The thing she wanted most at the end was a big glass of water.

What are you thirsty for? Come by the greenhouse, and I'll pour you something. Be prepared to sweat a little first.

Tamara