Day 4 - Of Hemp and Sweat

Wednesday was probably the most emotionally and spiritually powerful day for all of us. A handful of events happened that opened doors for many of us. Some we wanted to open but never could. Some we forgot about. Others we purposefully hid.
But more on that later. The morning began like any other - breakfast at the Retreat Center, coffee, and a logistics meeting. Eventually, we left to go meet Uncle Alex White Plume. The task at hand was to help him repair his building; however, this building is special. It's almost completely made out of hemp. While some of us hopped onto the roof to repair it, the rest stayed inside to listen to the elder speak on traditional matters, treaties, and his struggle with the US government. Then it happened.
The men of the group were called away to help prepare the inipi - the sweat lodge. Supposedly one of the most ancient spiritual practices on the planet, our job was to clean out the erected hut and build a fire to heat the ritual stones (called "grandmothers"). Hours later, the women walked out to the clearing by Uncle Floyd's house where we worked to enter the inipi. Aunt Natalie led them in while Uncle Benedict sang and smudged the area. We the men sat there for what felt like an eternity, waiting for the women to emerge. When they did, we greeted them with soft handshakes.
It was our turn. Uncle Benedict led us into the darkness and sang many songs while we prayed. The dark was absolute, and the heat was smothering. After a while, though, I began to forget the heat. The steam tore into me, and the steam pulled me into myself. I felt something leave me then - baggage I had carried, negative energy that thinly coated me, and fear that hovered around me. Gone. Then the flap opened. The steam rolled out against the dark twilight sky like a heavy mist. Silently, we crawled out as purified children leaving the womb of Mother Earth.
Dinner came late that night. Most of us were quiet, still shocked or overloaded from the jarring religious experience. Uncle Floyd's typical cheer and Aunt Natalie's kindness (and superb cooking) roused us, though. We thoroughly thanked them before heading back to the Retreat Center.
After a fairly long debriefing and reflection, we finally retired to our personal agendas: showers, journaling, and reading children's books in ridiculous accents. Our little group was growing closer still.