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James Arthur Ray Sweatbox Ceremony at Angel Valley Resort Kills 2

by Amy Judd | October 10, 2009 at 01:31 pm

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It has now been discovered that the famous author, self-proclaimed philosopher and frequest guest on Oprah and Larry King Live, James Arthur Ray, was leading a sweatbox ceremony at the Angel Valley Resort that lead to two deaths and made 19 people sick.

The event occured at the Angel Valley Resort on October 9th, when 64 people took part in a sweatbox ceremony, but it has only been released today that James Arthur Ray was part of it.

Sweatboxes are used by Native American tribes for cleansing, and they are enclosed spaces that are gradually filled up with steam, but they are generally not for more than 12 people at a time; this sweatbox ceremony had over 50 people inside for over two hours.

A criminal investigation has now been launched

Ray, a self-proclaimed “philosopher,” is the author of Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want. “I guarantee that anything you desire is possible,” Ray states on his website, which also advertised Harmonic Weekend events.

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pmblz

at 17:44 on October 16th, 2009

Spirituality is not for sale in the Native way. Sweats are not "adventures" in the Native way. To become qualified to run a sweat takes a minimum of about 500 years. Native Americans have been saying, "Our spirituality is not for sale" for so long. Yet, appropriators think the only requirement is their desire to have it, and the money to pay for it. You can't be an Indian unless you are one. Medicine men and women do not advertise their services. They take Native spirituality seriously because it comes from the Creator for a purpose. People, quit playing around with this. It is not a toy, and you lack what it takes to make it what it is. There are serious consequences and sometimes people don't even know they are having the consequences of this. Some know now with two dead and many hurt. I would never consider performing a mass or a baptism as I am not a priest or minister, yet too often there is no respect for Native American religion. Oh well, another day in the life of an Indian. I knew a man who played Indian until he had to live with the consequences of some White people thinking he was an Indian (I don't know how they thought he was because he didn't look like one), and after having the experience practically in tears he said, "I am not a "f______ Indian." He gave me permission to tell his story about this, and that is the best thing that could come out of his playing Indian. He doesn't do it anymore. He's satisfied to be White.

Alice Thomas (not verified)

at 21:47 on October 17th, 2009

This is what comes form disrespecting our ceremonies that have been handed down from generation to generation, This should be a lesson to all other white people who want to dabble in something that they know nothing about. I don't not believe that James Arthur Ray is A Native American or has any authority do be conductiong a sweat lodge ceremony. James Arthur Ray has already brought greef apon his own kind, and needs to get back to his own ways and LEAVE OUR NATIVE BLIEFS ALONE. WE DON'T WANT TO BE SCRUTINIZED FOR WHAT THIS WHITE MAN HAS DONE.

Little Thunder (not verified)

at 12:07 on October 21st, 2009

This is an outrage! I can't believe the media is blaming Native Americans for this tragedy! Is James Arthur Ray even a Native American? And who did he learn his traditional ways from or where they passed on to him from his elders? C'MON PEOPLE!!! GET REAL!! Any "real indian" knows that we don't accept cash for prayers.Who would make a person pay $9000. per head to participate in a sweat? A WHITE MAN thats who...yeah we all know their greed outways their beliefs. And who would pay the outrageous price of $9000. for some "guru" who doesn't know squat about traditional beliefs. The sweatlodge is a powerful ceremony and not to be taken lightly...these ceremonies are centries old and are not to be played with by people who don't believe in our ways and beliefs.

rev. Frederick Parker (not verified)

at 05:10 on October 22nd, 2009

Please don't say a Christian did this. A real Christian would never charge anything for prayers either. Just because someone is white and goes to church does not make that person a Christian. We are as rare as you are. This man by leading others to imitate other religions has proved that he like most church goers is not a Christian. A Christian follows Christ and does what is good for God and others and if anything is left then the Christian gets something. That man is a sham and he is not a Christian or an Indian follower.

nlaine (not verified)

at 10:05 on October 22nd, 2009

I agree with the previous posts. I am saddened that so many felt they had to follow such a false prophet. All of us need to learn to trust in ourselves and not so blindly give ourselves over to those whose promises stand on rituals and ceremonies they know nothing about. I am not a native, but respect the right of all native populations to continue with the ceremonies and long, practiced ways of the past. I hope this tragic event does not put more clamps on their freedoms.