Since the horrible tragedy involving 3 deaths and more than 20 injuries relating to a Sweat Lodge at a James Ray retreat in October of 2009, I have been contacted widely for commentary and education about sweat lodges and ceremonial steam baths. I continue to get questions by email and from the media and so I am posting here my answers to some of the more common and critical questions. You can read my answers and come to your own conclusions. If you know someone who has been hurt by a lodge or has fears about lodges and you think I can be of support, they are welcome to contact me through my website www.jonathanellerby.com.What went wrong at the James Ray event?Having not been there, nor had a chance to meet or interview witnesses or James Ray, there is really no way for me to be able to know for certain what when wrong. I don't know what tradition of Lodge James Ray was trained in and I...

A Tragic Call To AttentionThe recent and tragic events that involved three deaths and more than 19 injured and emotionally traumatized at a James Ray 'Spiritual Warrior Retreat' deserves to be treated with some gentleness for this is more than a news item, but a horrific experience of loss and suffering that is impacting far more people than only those who were there. It is also a criminal investigation and a man's career under scrutiny. This 'event' brings up some critical issues in our society, and this is one of those important times where we can either learn something that will serve everyone, or fall into the kind of blame and stereotyping that helps no one. Sweat Lodges: Good. Cultural Appropriation: BadTo be clear, ceremonial steam baths are a part of many traditions across the world and have been around for thousands of years. They are health promoting, safe environments for per...

I'd like to begin by qualifying my comments: I have had the privilege and pleasure of being involved in various forms of traditional Indigenous 'sweat lodges' and similar ceremonies for over 20 years now. I have personally experienced hundreds, maybe over a thousand and from cultures as diverse as Ojibway, Cress, Blackfoot, Lakota, Aztec, and even in Africa with two different African tribes. I have studied lodges from an academic perspective and have researched and a been a part of their use in hospital and prison treatment programs. I spent 12 years earning the right to run a Native American type of lodge, mentored by a Native American healer. I do not run Native lodges for non-Native people. I do run an interfaith form of lodge that welcomes men and women of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.I don't think anyone in the general public knows enough about what happened at the James Ray...

All genuine meditation has no destination and you can't get there! This of course sounds like nonsense but is in fact the literal truth. Meditation teachers will talk about there being 'nowhere to get to, nothing to attain.' In my book, 'Return to the Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening,' I talk of the 'Pathless Path' - a phrase from the Zen Buddhist tradition that points to the same thing. There is nowhere to get to, nothing to attain, no-one to attain it. A revered Japanese Zen Master - Hakuin, put it this way in his 'Song of Meditation':And if we turn inward and prove our True Nature,
That True Self is no-self, our own self is no-self,
We go beyond ego and past clever words....
Our form now being no-form,
In going and returning we never leave home.
Our thought now being no-thought,
Our dancing and songs are the Voice of the Dharma. <...

It is awful to have to face it, but the end of summer is near. Most years people are dreading the end of beautiful weather and the grace of less commitments. This year is a bit different due to unusual uncomfortable weather in many parts of the country and the stress of a difficult economy. But summer is wonderful all the same - it's a season most people wait all year for. In many cases summer is the one time of the year people expect the stress of life to relax a little. Which leads me to wonder, what is it about summer that we love so much and how can we carry those qualities without throughout the year?
First of all, I suppose we have to admit 'weather' is a big factor. But its really more than weather, its spending time outside. In the summer we go to parks, lakes, oceans, rivers, forests, RV parks, campgrounds, National parks, city parks, basketball courts, golf courses and so ...

Its seems almost silly to have to say it, but to improve at anything practice is almost always essential. Right? Even if you want to get good at doing nothing, you still need to do a lot of it! Most people know that if you want to be physically fit, you need regular exercise. If you want a university degree, you'll need to study and apply yourself. If you want to be an excellent musician, actor, doctor, parent, friend, boss, or carpenter, you have to be prepared for a process of trial and error, constant intention, and practice, practice, practice.

Why then do people not realize that this same rule applies to our spiritual life? These days I find that many people expect spiritual growth to come ease. Of course, I am more than happy to recommend my new book or my new CD set to help people on their spiritual journey -but, I'd be deceiving you and myself if I thought that one boo...

Recently, CNN's 'Situation Room' Jack Cafferty wrote an article about the death (and dying) of the American Dream. I found myself surprised at the shock and insult that I felt when I read it. First, lets be clear, I am Canadian born US resident, a spiritual author/teacher and a pretty forgiving guy - so why the strong reaction?? The entire article was about financial collapse and set back. Sighting statistics about home foreclosures, job loss and income drops, Cafferty pointed accurately to a difficult time in USA's history, and there was nothing 'wrong' with what he stated, but there was something awful about what was implied in two deep and glaring errors of logic.

He confuses 'quality of life' with 'standard of living.' While millions of people will have their standard of living threatened or impacted these days (my family included) the 'quality' of our lives is not necess...

It is one of those words that just sounds good. Most of us hear it and know we want more of it - inspiration! To be inspired, to find something that is an inspiration to us, maybe to inspire others. But what does it really mean and how to we put it to work in our lives? Inspiration is fundamentally a feeling, and it is one that communicates a kind of wisdom. It's an exhilarating merging of intuition, motivation, and clarity. It can become the foundation of work, relationships, health changes, invention and change. Once it has taken root, if we feed it, it grows and eventually will bear fruit.

To be inspired is more than just having a great idea, it is having a great idea and the feeling of energy, creativity and worth that goes with it. To be inspired is more than just being impressed with genius or natural beauty, it is also the feeling of connection and personal relevance t...