sweat lodge

Sena, Ed and I went to our first sweat lodge last Sunday. It was a beautiful, intimate ceremony, held in the Lakota tradition, and led by an amazing family we have recently become friends with. This is what my experience was like:

Earth, Air, Water, Fire.

Power,

Humility,

Authenticity.

Total darkness,

Intense heat,

Water on red hot stones,

Steam.

Total darkness,

Like a womb.

Deafening drumbeat.

Sacred chanting

Thanksgiving

Prayer.

Sweat

Running down my body

In rivers.

Air so hot,

Burning my nostrils.

Lying my body against the Earth

For strength,

And cool relief.

Feeling the soil,

Rich, dark and moist

Against my skin.

Feeling my heart beat wildly

With the deafening drum,

The only sound I hear

So all encompassing

Like silence.

Relishing the feeling

Of laying on the ground

Black earth against my arm, my neck, my face

Direct, intimate contact

Like a lover

Just where I need to be.

Let go of everything,

Without even trying

Only the drum.

After the fourth door,

Came out into the sunshine and cool air

Of a winter day

Feeling clear, light

And happy,

Like a child.