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What is a Sweat Lodge Ceremony
The Sweat Lodge is a place of spiritual refuge and mental and physical healing, a place to get answers and guidance by asking spiritual guides, totem helpers, the Creator and Mother Earth for the needed wisdom and power.
Why was the Sweat Lodge created by Native American People?
It was prompted by the influence of European culture with its corrupting effect on native culture. With the introduction of alcohol and the inhumane treatment of native people, the need to re-purify themselves and find their way back to traditional ways of living became evident, as they were becoming increasingly poisoned by European culture. The Sweat Lodge Ceremony was the answer.
What is a Sweat Lodge made up?
The lodge in former times was covered with the hides of buffalo, bear or moose. In this day, the animal skins have been replaced with blankets, plastic sheeting, old carpet, heavy gauge canvas sheets and tarps to retain the heat and the steam.
There are several styles of structures used in different cultures; these include a domed or oblong hut similar to a wickiup, a permanent structure made of wood or stone, or even a simple hole dug into the ground and covered with planks or tree trunks. Stones are typically heated and then water poured over them to create steam. In ceremonial usage, these ritual actions are accompanied by traditional prayers and songs.
Inside the Sweat Lodge Ceremony…
In many traditions the entrance to the sweat lodge faces to the East and the sacred fire pit. This has very significant spiritual value. Each new day for all begins in the East with the rising of Father Sun, the source of life and power, dawn of wisdom, while the fire heating the rocks is the undying light of the world, eternity, and it is a new spiritual beginning day that we seek in the sweat ceremony.
Common to all traditions, and the sweat, is the ideal of spiritual cleanliness. Many sweats start with the participants fasting for an entire day of contemplation in preparation for the sweat while avoiding caffeine, alcohol and other unhealthy substances. Prior to entering the sweat the participants usually smudge with sage, sweetgrass or cedar smoke as a means toward ritual cleanliness.
When all are inside the sweat leader calls upon the doorkeeper to drop the flap covering the lodge opening. The lodge becomes dark, and at this point the lodge leader announces that all are free to leave the lodge at any time if they cannot endure. (If you must leave, speak out “Mitakuye Oyasin,” “All my relatives.” The other participants will move away from the wall so that you may pass behind them as you leave in a clockwise direction.) He then asks for a short, contemplative silence. After the brief silence the flap is raised, and the leader calls upon the fire tender to bring in the heated stones from the sacred fire.
Aglow with the luminance of the red hot stones, the ceremony begins in the lodge. The sweat leader sounds the Water Drum and calls forth the spirit guides in prayer from the Four Directions. The sweat leader then dips water and pours it onto the hot stones in the pit, producing large amounts of steam, usually one dipper for each of the four directions, or until he is told by the spirits to stop. Then he begins his prayers, songs and chants.
The Sedona Weekend Retreat will take place Aug 30 – Sep 1st. Join Billie Topa Tate and the Native American Elders in ceremony. A place where the past, present and future come together.
We must always walk the Red Road in a way that honors others’ views and teachings without sacrificing our own. All of these ways are good, none is better or worse than the other.
All sweat lodges are differnt and it’s very important if you partake in a sweat lodge ceremony that it be lend by an official elder of the Native American people so that you are guided in the right ways of the ceremony.
What does Wesak Full Moon mean?
The Wesak full moon is considered the most powerful full moon of the year. When doing mediation on the Wesak a down pouring of healing energy is given to all those whom are seeking it. It’s allows for one to have contentment, peace and joy. Using this divine healing energy that is cultivated in one’s body and spirit all that can be sent to healing Mother Earch. Wesak is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha because according to Buddhists, all the three events took place on the same lunar date.
How does Karma play a positive role in this Wesak Meditation?
While the down pouring of healing energy flows through you at this time you have the opportunity to bless Mother Earth. By doing this selfless act you are then blessed with contentment and peace within.
Wesak Ceremony is held each year. Spiritual initiates gather in the presence of the Enlightened Masters to receive the highest dispensations of the light from Buddha. Which is dispensed into the Earth’s body via the Wesak Valley in the Himalayas.
Want to know more about Wesak…
- Wesak Day is often referred to with other names in each country. Official names of Vesak Day are Vesākha, Vesak, Wesak, Waisak, Visakah Puja, Vaishaka, Buddha Purnima
- Vesak is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha because according to Buddhists, all the three events took place on the same lunar date.
- The Buddhist eat a vegetarian diet prior to the festival in order to cleanse and purify themselves.
Acts of Kindness during the Wesak
In India, Vesak Day is known as Buddha Purnima. On this day, Buddhists do not eat meat. This is considered an act of compassion towards animals. People are encouraged to perform other acts of kindness such as sharing food with the poor. Some people even set up road stalls providing free, clean drinking water.
Join us for Wesak Meditation and Ceremony on May 14th…
Enjoy the free video below from Billie Topa Tate
What is Emotional Freedom Technique?
EFT is a technique that focuses on a specific issue while tapping on ” end points of the body’s energy meridians “
EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is a simple and effect self healing technique that helps to heal unresolved and lingering issues that sabotage or block a person’s personal growth. It is an energy therapy much like that of Acupuncture, Reiki, or Kineslology which uses the energy pathways in the body to balance and reestablish harmony.
What are the benefits of EFT Technique:
- The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is safe, needs no equipment and is easy to learn.
- Anyone can learn to do EFT, even kids! It’s easy to teach to friends and family.
- It’s a great tool to effectively calm or soothe your self emotionally, mentally and/or physically.
- With EFT you become responsible for soothing or calming yourself, instead of waiting for another person to change their mood, attitude or behavior so you can feel better.
- EFT can be done anywhere (i.e. in the bathroom when you are with others or out in a public place).
EFT Training Course Details:
This is an open to the public two day workshop meeting April 17th. The workshop will begin by presenting EFT’s history, what it can be used for, followed by EFT basics and methods. The hands on portion of the workshop will include learning techniques to relieve stress and anxiety. This will be a wonderful technique to add to our life’s journey.
Inspire a friend to register for this class with you and have a great afternoon.
EFT Training will take place on April 17 Sunday 10am – 2pm
Your Instructor:
Steve Shields
EFT Practitioner and Teacher
How to Perform Oil Pulling with Benefits
For the past two years, we here at MSI Wellness Center have been teaching oil pulling in the Native American perspective. Oil pulling is a traditional folk remedy where oil is swished or held in the mouth. Literature states oil pulling is capable of improving oral and systemic health, including a benefit in many conditions and ailments both physical and emotional.
The Benefits of Oil Pulling:
- Extracts toxins and pathogens through the tongue.
- Through the process of mixing the saliva through the oil, oil pulling facilitates a baseline of dental and GI good health.
- Teaches us good self-care in the morning.
- Helps facilitate brighter teeth (make sure to brush with peroxide).
- For viruses and colds oil pulling helps facilitate a faster rate of healing. Stay tuned for a viral variation of oil-pulling!
- Balances the PH balance which our body needs to increase and maintain good health (Acid Alkaline Balance is needed to fight off cancers).
- Helps with cavities.
Guided Steps To Oil Pulling:
Step 1: Provide yourself at least 20 minutes in the morning.
Step 2: After meditation or some form of peaceful intention in the morning, use 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil and swish but do not swallow.
Step 3: Swish. Thus the term pulling: as you swish in the teeth you are actually pulling toxins from your teeth but also from the GI tract through the membranes in the tongue. You can do this in the shower. As you swish, you set an intention for your body by mindfully using internal affirmations of releasing toxins harmoniously and gently for a period of 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Expel it into a plastic bag. If you are spitting it out in the sink basin, spray the basin with a non-chemical cleaner to break down the oil.
Step 5: Use a toothpaste that has Myr Xylitol and peppermint and coQ 10 with Zinc and brush your teeth. Click here for some examples on Amazon.com
Step 6: Take a small cup of spring water and place 1-2 drops of liquid mineral –which you can purchase at your trusted Vitamin Shop. Trace Minerals reinforce strength in your gums.
Step 7: Set an intention for the day about joy, health and happiness.
Want to know how you can reduce violence and crime in any neighborhood?
Planetary Reiki is a ……
Specially designed form of Reiki that helps facilitate virtuous healing energy into our neighborhoods, regions of land, homes or offices. This form of Reiki infuses the places with peaceful, virtuous empowering energy that assists in the transformation from negative to positive. The world truly needs our help to facilitate this wonderful healing energy into our neighborhoods, schools, government, hospitals and even our recovery centers. Even if you do not have Reiki training, you can still learn the platform and send positive energetic words and images. Register with a friend for good karma and help our Mother Earth and neighborhoods.
Planetary Reiki provides a great potential for drug free, violence free and low crime rate regions. This is an open to the public class for anyone who wants to make a positive change in their neighborhoods, lives and in the world.
Learn how you can change violence and crime What is Planetary Reiki?
The use of positive universal energy from Reiki to dispel violence, crime or the misuse of land. The use of these techniques can change areas which are filled with crime and countries which have difficulty with violence, illness, and sorrow. By using this form of Reiki you can help heal these places.
Here are some examples of where Planetary Reiki could be applied…
- Loved one’s bedroom, home or place of living
- School or rehabilitation center or hospitals
- Large plot of land
- States or Countries
- Any place that mother earth needs a healing transformation
This is a wonderful opportunity to receive specialized training and certification from Billie Topa Tate – Founder of MSI Healing INC and Mescalero Apache to become a Planetary Reiki Practitioner.
Planetary Reiki Training July 10th Thursday at Infinity Foundation 7pm-9pm…
Below is the Table of Contents from the Student Manual…
The Story of the Planetary Reiki
The Planetary Reiki Procedure
Reiki Procedure and Invocation for cleansing our house or office to raise the vibration to sacred symbols of healing
Reiki Procedure Invocation for neighborhood that needs virtuous mentors
Reiki Procedure Invocation where drug and violence in a neighborhood transpired
Reiki Procedure Invocation for a region which had non virtuous energy
Reiki Procedure Invocation for water regions where wars and non virtuous energy transpired
How the Native people would use healing energy to nourish an area
How the Native people would use healing energy to bless an area
How Sacred Spaces were created on Mother Earth
How to bless and clear a plot of land