Thursday October 15, 2009, 6:12 pm
A very sad, but bewildering story that just tugs at the heart of so many people here in Arizona. There is so much coming out yes about what really happened at Angel Valley Spiritual Retreat Center in Sedona, and why so many people we involved in it...some dead, some in a coma, and most not speaking.

I will try to forward other articles about it to keep your questions answered.
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Transcript of private call between James Ray and sweat lodge victims

http://www.examiner.com/x-11245-Philadelphia-Speculative-Fiction-Examiner~y2009m10d15-Breaking-news-transcript-of-private-call-between-James-Ray-and-sweat-lodge-victims
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Sheriff says sweat lodge deaths "not accidental"

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4PHcSvMF8pPe_CpIRZejl7OD1vgD9BBPVRG0
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Friday October 16, 2009, 4:07 am
this is a strange one why all the secrecy why all the injured people something is very wrong here .

Friday October 16, 2009, 5:34 am
Thanks for making us all aware of what horrifying scene/happening must have taken place...i still can´t get it quite sorted it out in my head though... It´s kind of "spooky"..i guess it´ll take more inquiries to really get to the bottom of it all-i´ll update myself to seek further information. My compassion goes out for all the people that were involved-one way or another!! Shocked-sadly noticed...

Friday October 16, 2009, 6:08 am
Thanks Peace. As of the news reports this Friday morning the officials are looking to press charges againt the leader and others involved in this tragic happening.

Friday October 16, 2009, 7:58 am
Truly sad and tragic.

My first reaction is these people may have died of dehydration. Having come from parts of the country with higher humidity and cooler temperatures, these people were required to fast for 36 hours. Considering the drier, hotter environment they were going into which created an even HOTTER condition (sweating), these people should have been under a doctor's care during fasting and during the visit to this retreat.

When I moved from Los Angeles to the desert 5 years ago, it took me over 1 year to acclimate to this dry, dry, hot, hot climate where it seldom rains, humdity averages 5% and temps soar around 120 all summer long. Coming from a beach climate, my body went through drastic changes and I stayed indoors most of the first year. I also learned I needed to step up my water from the usual 8 glasses a day to twice that amount.

I could be wrong, but it seems to be a case of dehydration and this "guru" should be charged in some way for these deaths. It was irresponsible of him to put these people in a potentially life threatening situation. But not knowing the whole story, this is speculation on my part.

Friday October 16, 2009, 9:58 am
This guy was basically taking these people for $10,000 per person and then putting them into a sweat lodge which is considered "sacred space" and offered at no charge. He's a greedy, self-important, cult leader who gives not a hoot about anything but money and personal image. He gives others who are committed to truly providing healing and deepening their connection to the great spirit a bad name. He should be found guilty of conducting a ceremony without experience and proper training.

Dehydration is unlikely in such a short period of time. I understand he used accelerant to start his fire. Now you bring those rocks in to the sweat lodge and have people breathing fumes and you got yourself a problem. Likewise, sweat lodges should be covered in blankets, his was covered in plastic tarps. The plastic tarps don't allow for the lodge to "breathe" further impounding difficulties.

He had people fast for 36 hours. He put way too many people into a small enclosed and sealed space. With the excessive heat from both hot rocks and too many bodies, they simply used all the oxygen and suffocated.

Sad indeed. He should refund those $10,000 fees to each participant and pay highly for the deaths he is responsible for.

Friday October 16, 2009, 10:22 am
Thank you peaceloveearth,ive heard only abit of this, why do we destroy the earth then try to bring lil things back w/ people who have no idea what they are doing.... and now hearing its not an accident.. makes my stomache hurt...these places should be shut down, and that suppossed sweatlodge what the heck was plastic doing on it? I agree we the white man, have just done so much harm, I cry when i think of it. It also brings to mind, the rascists who feel we were here first.. dummies......

Friday October 16, 2009, 10:41 am
"I agree we the white man, have just done so much harm, I cry when i think of it. It also brings to mind, the rascists who feel we were here first.. dummies......"

When a person abuses another person, he or she can be forgiven by the victim if they apologize and do no more harm. All Americans need to sincerely apologize to and work toward releasing Native Americans from the pain and abuse inflicted on them. This will release the guilt and responsibility for the wrongs done.

Friday October 16, 2009, 11:09 am
I heard on the news they are treating this as a homicide . The two people who died looking young and healthy. Something is definitely not right here.
Thanks Kat

Friday October 16, 2009, 11:19 am
Thank you Marion..I whole heartedly agree!

Friday October 16, 2009, 5:04 pm
Very tragic. This didn't really have to happen if people didn't try to be who they are not. Stick with your own ways and allow the "true" Medicine Men and Women to do such things. You will know them IF you Walk long and deep into the Native Spiritual Walk, they will also not have their hands out for $9,000 for you to gain a Spiritual Healing.

Friday October 16, 2009, 7:16 pm
Thanks

Saturday October 17, 2009, 2:33 am
TY Kat,for speaking-up for the invisible Indians of the US.

Saturday October 17, 2009, 7:38 pm
This guy is just a con man, plain and simple. Sadly, it took a shameful tragedy to expose him. Sadder yet, people will continue to stand by him, and give him more of their hard-earned cash.

The only good news is that there has been agreement by all that a true sweat lodge, run by Native Americans, has zero to do with what this guy did. He had them in a roasting pit!

I see criminal charges, and lawsuits in his future. His self-proclaimed mystical powers aren't going to get him out of this jam.

Sunday October 18, 2009, 5:40 pm
another person has died.... thats three...