Sweating with the Grandmothers

“I booked us a sweat lodge. Can you make it?” My girlfriend asks. “And we are bringing another student. He’s an excellent grounder.”

I was super excited. I have waited years for the opportunity to join my yoga guru and mentor on one of her expeditions to Land of 2 Sands to experience an official sweat lodge.

I have been a practitioner and teacher of yoga for many years. I have heard of the health benefits of a sweat lodge from lots of people, not to mention the spiritual experience.

I could hardly wait.

I had no idea what to expect. I mean, let’s face it, I am a western medicine trained nurse, not to mention a bible believing Christ follower.

And I must say, it is on the top five most holy experiences I have ever had.

Yep, shocked me too. I mean, I have done some stuff. Hiked the northern mountains of Spain on El Camino Primitivo as a pilgrim, gone to the base of the Grand Canyon and back on Angel Trail with my son, and have travelled to many interesting destinations with my husband.

Not knowing that just one hour away from my little hometown, I would have such a profound encounter. And one I got to share with people who are soaked in peace and wisdom.

We arrived to the Land of 2 Sands at different times. I sat in my car until I saw a familiar face. And found out it would just be us. We got the gift of a private sweat lodge. And the last of the season.

Our guide, Soaring Blue Eagle, started by getting the fire built. We joined forces to stack the logs and the stones just right. Then lit the fire. The next two hours were spent sharing, walking the medicine wheel life path, and gathering crystals that are shaped like tears and seem to magically appear under your feet.

The conversations centered mostly around the mission of Land of 2 Sands. To “teach us to walk the Grandmother way with the wind in our faces while honoring the Grandfathers who taught her.”

I was all ears. I did not contribute much as I was the newbie.

It was fascinating. I took it all in wishing I had brought a pen and paper so I could take notes.

Then the time came to build the sweat lodge, which was completed using a framework already in place. We added the layers of blankets and secured them to the metal frame. The mats where we sat were laid. Next Soaring Blue Eagle took the now hot stones and transferred them, one by one, via shovel to the center of the sweat lodge.

Once completed, she pulled back the fabric and ushered us into the sweat lodge. She came in last, bringing with her the rainwater pail with sage sprigs.

I assumed the position of a yogi.

Closed my eyes.

And allowed myself to enjoy the moment and the experience.

I was not disappointed.

Soaring Blue Eagle sat, securing the fabric in place and then began to weave her beautiful narrative of the story of her people, the animals, and the Grandmothers. She drew our attention to emotions, the ancestors, visions, ideas, and encouraged us to pursue our own path.

She then added water to the stones.

The steam rose. She continued to talk.

And I allowed my mind to push through what I have always known and instead, conceive of the idea of something new.

The ritual continued.

And I changed. In those moments, something inside me made a shift. I can’t really explain it to you. I am struggling to explain it even to myself.

But I left that tent different than when I entered it.

A new sense of…Me.

If I were to give the experience a name, it would be called Powerful.

I did not want the time to end. Everyone else left the tent and I had a few minutes to myself. I took that time to add several spoonsful of water to the now tepid stones.

And I allowed myself to just…Be.

Time passed. I sadly knew it was time to go. I exited and walked into the arms of my soul sister and brother. That’s how I felt. It was that profound.

As we were cleaning up, I went to speak with Soaring Blue Eagle. I told her this was my first sweat lodge experience and wondered if I could have a hug.

She of course complied. Willingly.

Then, she said “I had no idea this was your first lodge.” And she told me why. Words I hold close to my heart.

As she walked away, leaving me staring after her, I decided to embrace her last comments to me.

She is, after all, The Medicine Woman of the Land of 2 Sands.

Whom am I to disagree?