Sweat Lodge Build and Ceremony

As an elder used to share with us, “Work is worship”, and very few things demonstrate this as clearly as joining with our community as we build the sweat lodge. If you have never built one before, please come and observe to learn how things align.

This Sweat lodge ceremony will follow the build and helping to prepare the grounds. The building of the lodge and making relations with our grounds is part of the ceremony. Please show up in work clothes to help build the fire and clean up grounds. Please bring a rake and a chain saw if you have one. You will have the opportunity later to change into your sweat lodge attire.

This is poured following Lakota traditions. All are welcome as long as come with open/positive mind and respectful heart.

To go into the lodge, please bring 1 or two towels and appropriate clothes to wear into lodge. Men should wear shorts and women should have long skirt and shirt covering shoulders. Traditionally, you bring a small tobacco offering for the firekeeper and the intercessor.

There is no charge for this ceremony, but each person should bring something to contribute to our potluck feast afterwards. Here are other things our center would appreciate:

1. Blue moving blankets (we are short on these and will need some to build the lodge)
2. Firewood (aged and preferably split 23″ long)
3. Rocks (suitable for heating in lodge)
4. Sage, Sweet grass, Flat cedar, Tobacco
5. Personal Blankets
6. Paperware (plates, cups, napkins, utensils, paper towels, toilet paper)
7. Candles (any size unscented)
8. Cotton Cloth Strips (yards of traditional black, red, yellow, white, blue, green, purple)
9. Donations to our center are always appreciated

We will also be practicing songs and learning how to make prayer ties.. We have electricity in case you want to bring a crockpot.

We will likely go into the lodge around 5pm, which means we should finish up no later than 7pm. .

Please understand that if this is your first time, part of the teachings of this way of life our respect, patience and generosity.  So, there may be several reasons you are asked to offer support and pray outside the lodge.

RSVP is required.  Please follow us on facebook (Real Eyes Meditation) in case there are any changes or updates.

With Love & Gratitude. Mitakua Oyasin

PS. This event will immediately follow our 11am Singing Bowls Sound Bath Meditation. You are welcome to come to this as well.