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Saunas and Sweat Lodges—Symbolic Properties

Jul 12th, 2006 by admin

If you have ever watched a good western movie, I am sure you have come across a scene where a native American Indian, searching for spiritual guidance, embarks on a ritual involving a sweat lodge. He will usually emerge from this soul searching experience re-energised and clear in his purpose, guided by the spirits of his ancestors. A very inspiring scene.

Sauna owners do have one element or two in common with that brave, noble native. It is the ability to immerse themselves in an environment conducive to enhancing a meditative state and purging themselves of unwanted thoughts in search of clarity. So put on your imagination caps and learn a little about the experience from the adapted notes of Native Indians Hopoyv Fekseko (D. Joseph Alderson) and others, by Chetty Chapko, for use by the Ceremonial Discussion Committee of Pine Arbor Tribal Town, 1997.

“All things employed in the sweat rite are holy to the Native American and must be thoroughly comprehended ……….. for the true power of a thing or an act is found in the understanding.” Paraphrased from Bobby Woods, Lakota (Sioux) sweat leader

The constructed sweat lodge is usually a round or oval shaped dome–symbolically not unlike the womb. Often, sweat lodges are called Mother Earth’s womb. The door is low to prevent heat from escaping but lessons of humility are easily taught when one must bend low to enter the sweat lodge. Sweats begin in silent darkness inside the sweat lodge. The arrival of glowing rocks is a constant reminder of the One-Above’s penetrating goodness and radiance. Sakim, Creek spiritual leader, constantly reminds us that Silence is the voice of Creator, One Above. Sometimes, a flute is played; this represents bird song, Creator’s first specific gift to the newly created. In the Pine Arbor Creation Story, birds received songs for their part in drying out land when it was covered with water– bird songs are both a form of spiritual silence and an aural blessing.

People are often unclothed in the sweat lodge; like the womb–each is a dark but secure and nurturing place. A womb does not produce a healthy fetus if contaminated with infection or impurities, neither can a sweat lodge produce a healthy spiritual birth or renewal if penetrated with unhealthiness or impure intent such as drugs or alcohol. Participants in a sweat rite are not unlike the fetus in a womb; both can be vulnerable to improper influences. Spiritual life deserves no less care than the physical life–sometimes, it should have more. Good and proper intent are very important. Those who sneer about the unclothed body are ill equipped to understand the sweat; they probably shower fully clothed!

Because of these re-birth qualities, rites of passage were invariably connected with sweat bathing. Cleanliness is next to godliness and close to God is a good place to be when an individual passes from one stage of life to another. The sweat bath prepared bathers for the rituals that attended birth, adulthood, marriage and death rites of passages–times when awe of the unknown was highest.

Finally, as with any religion or ritual, sweat baths would not have been given such cultural importance without serving humankind in practical ways. With its mystical powers marshaled, the sweat bath became a healer…”

In Native Medicine, Medicine Grizzly-Bear Lake writes about reasons people go unclothe in the sweat bath: “We prefer to go into the sacred sweat lodge stripped of all our clothes, symbols, badges of education, status and wealth, camouflages or other coverings which feed the human ego. We go naked as a newborn into the womb of our Mother Earth; humble, pure, innocent and prepared for nurturing. We try to strip ourselves of [defining] human qualities, desires and characteristics in order to become more spirit-like; we shed our human image and physical attributes in order to discover our soul and its spiritual nature. And, in most cases we come out reborn and re-created.”

Everything we do is an outward symbolic presentation of an inner action. It is important that sweat rituals serve you; do not simply serve the ritual. A certain amount of discipline and form enables participants to be more focused as both individuals and as a community.

One woman once said: “The sweat lodge is like your child–you must care for it properly. One wouldn’t want negative influences to contaminate your child.” Why would you want a negative sweat lodge? The community is the parent of the sweat lodge. Know and understand the importance of the four purposes of the sweat lodge and all the beautiful symbolism that connects the materials of the sweat lodge and its practices to community life.

Words cannot describe all things that occur during a sweat. Each individual receives something different than other participants; yet all share in a general way, too. Participants in a particular lodge may come and go. They may benefit for a while and then need to seek a different spiritual path. This is not the way for everyone and that is fine. All that is asked of the participant is respect–respect what we are doing and know that our intent is good. It is important that we recognize that all are connected to the true Great Creator of the Universe, One Above.

I hope you found this article as spiritually uplifting as I have. I found a definite connection with the ideals expressed. If you feel it too, please leave a comment. Express yourself!!

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