The heat was so intense, I felt like I was surrounded by flames…
It was as if 1,000 fire ants were crawling over my skin… They opened every pore for healing…
Each breath was damp and heavy… The steam was hot and thick, almost like breathing in smoke.
I had to keep reminding myself that I had chosen to be here…
The Sweat Lodge is not an “easy” ceremony… It’s not meant to be easy.
It is meant to challenge us… So that when we meet the challenges of life, we are prepared.
I opened my eyes… And blinked from the harsh sting of sweat…
I looked around the lodge…
All I saw was black… Like a starless sky.
The black light of the Mother… Just like the womb.
Full of life and love… Yet empty space.
This is the same void that we are all born from…
Even though I could not see anything, I knew I was surrounded by good hearted men…
We were going through this struggle together. Everyone felt the same heat and sting…
That brought me strength…
As each ancient song was sung, the blackness filled with an invisible light…
The light of the Mother… The light of Spirit…
It brought a different kind of heat…
My heart was filled with a joyful, warm, loving sensation…
As my body suffered, I felt a deep peace… I felt free.
The door opened, and the glow of a setting sun filled the lodge…
A cool breeze rushed in, and instantly eased our pain…
This happened 4 times… The sweat lodge has 4 rounds, each one with a different prayer and purpose…
When the round was finished, I laid down on the cool, damp Earth…
I could feel my sweat mixing with the soil… Creating mud on my skin…
I laughed to myself… “This is the original spa… I just need some cucumber slices…”
Sometimes we need to laugh to keep from suffering… It’s a great technique.
Despite the laughter, as I laid on Mother Earth, part of me died…
Then I was reborn.
I can’t explain to you in words what happened…
The best way I can describe it is this…
In the midst of deep suffering and pain… Whether it is emotional, physical or mental…
Who is it that is suffering…? Really truly… WHO is suffering?
What even is… Suffering?
Is it the pain in your body…? Your thoughts about it…? Or your emotions…?
Or is it something different all together?
That is what the sweat lodge teaches us…
The one who suffers dies and is reborn…
Each time this happens, our Soul… Our True Self… Gains more foothold in our being…
Our true nature begins to shine forth from our heart & mind…
This is True Freedom.
You do not need a sweat lodge to find this. Every single moment of suffering brings this opportunity…
Our suffering is a Gift. It brings us to the doorway of Freedom…
Thank you for taking the time to read this story… I would LOVE to hear from you.
Did this story resonate? If so, what did you receive from it…?
Thanks and have a beautiful Week,
Robbie
