LOOKING FORWARD WITH ANTICIPATION:
The intention of this Lodge is to provide an
opportunity for our Spirit to come forth in free expression within a Sacred
Space of clarity, support, sanctity and safety. The Bear Lodge allows one's
Spirit to find comfort and enjoyment in its movement into conscious embodied
experience. The inherent Spiritual Forces and structure of the Lodge create
a pathway that is clear and complete.
Four rounds comprise a full journey of the Bear Sweat. A round is defined as
the time when 7 rocks are brought in, the door is closed, songs of prayer
sung, water poured, and the door is lifted again.
The experience of the individual within the Lodge is supported by the
various integrative factors of the Ceremony. The lava rocks are heated red
hot, and carried in by the fire tender. Upon these rocks water is poured.
Steam billows forth, dispersing the heat into the Lodge and driving out much
of the cool air. We sit in close physical proximity to others, friends,
family and strangers alike, within the dark, in a state of near-undress (
this is a modesty sweat, and co-ed, so we dress in 'swim attire' ). Once we
have entered the Lodge, we remain inside for all four rounds. Exiting is
counter-productive and limited to when a person must answer a call of
nature, and only when the door is open between rounds.
These factors contribute to the experience of intensity within the Lodge. As
the Power ( Life-Force ) builds, we absorb that Power into ourselves,
enhancing whatever emotional state we carry in with us. Our happiness
becomes ecstatic joy, sadness a deep and abiding sorrow, etc. As our Spirit
is lifted forth in the buoyancy of our personal empowerment, those
life-negative states which occlude and obstruct our Spirit's free expression
are pushed upward to conscious embodiment. This allows for a conscious
relinquishment of these impediments to our spiritual progression. This is
what we refer to as purification. To enable this process of purification we
must engage our Will, requiring us to exercise self-discipline, thereby
strengthening that quality of our character. It is by this development and
use of our Will, self-discipline and purification that we bring about the
transformation of life-negative states into life-positive virtues within the
experience of the Sweat Lodge. Where we have entered with Fear, Anxiety,
Addiction or Denial, we exit the Lodge having transformed these into
Courage, Anticipation, Will, and Acceptance. We go forth back into the World
more enabled to give expression to our own Spirit's purpose, being of
greater value to our Families, and of greater capacity to be of Service to
our Communities our Spirit in free expression in our lives!
