Is James Arthur Ray’s Guilty Verdict of Negligent Homicide an Indictment of New Age Spirituality?
As a person who has participated in sweat lodges and other ancient spiritual practices during my years of spiritual investigation and research, I can report that I have never been injured in any spiritual event, ever. The Shamans who held those sweat lodges during my time were very, very careful to have helpers oversee the participants at all times to ensure safety and positive outcomes.
Here is a story of Guru James Ray, who didn't follow the rules and cost three people, Kirby Brown, Liz Neuman and James Shore, their lives. His indictment and consequent findings of manslaughter is a terrible price to pay for everyone involved. Mr. Ray will never be free of the penalty and the memories of the suffering that his arrogant actions caused others. He will also pay a price on the spiritual plane which has far reaching consequences for his soul.
http://lagunaniguel.patch.com/articles/james-arthur-rays-guilty-verdict-sweat-lodges-new-age-negligent-homicide-indictment-spirituality-native-american-self-help-guru-laws-of-attraction-the-secret
"Ray’s theme of the retreat seemed to be based on the catharsis of the death process. In tarot, one of the strongest and most transformative cards is Death. This card symbolizes not a real death, but a metamorphosis where by an old layer is peeled a way and a new path is begun for the seeker."
"Theoretically, many healing techniques and initiations utilize some form of this process. This is the age-old journey of transformation used since ancient times, the ultimate quest. It is shown in the adept going out in the wilderness to face himself or in various coming-of-age ceremonies where young men and women are transformed by a ritualized custom to quickly move from adolescence to adulthood."
"In Ray’s case, he took the metamorphosis too far, and when the repercussions emerged—people passing out from the heat—it seemed he was overwhelmed. There was a loss of life and a loss of faith in him. Ultimately the situation is taking him through the exact same metamorphosis as he faces everything."
Is James Arthur Ray’s Guilty Verdict of Negligent Homicide an Indictment of New Age Spirituality? As you will no doubt read in other accounts of this story, there are people who still support James Ray, no matter what he has done.
I do hope that seekers who choose sweat lodges for personal transformation now and in the future will research the leader's background and practices before ever entering into the lodge. Do I personally think that this event impacts new age spirituality? Well, yes, but it is not a death blow to the entire new age spiritual community. We learn by mistakes, and grow from the experiences, both negative and positive. I do hope that others will not perceive this comment as callous or cold. Nothing could be further from the truth.
As a person who has participated in sweat lodges and other ancient spiritual practices during my years of spiritual investigation and research, I can report that I have never been injured in any spiritual event, ever. The Shamans who held those sweat lodges during my time were very, very careful to have helpers oversee the participants at all times to ensure safety and positive outcomes.
Here is a story of Guru James Ray, who didn't follow the rules and cost three people, Kirby Brown, Liz Neuman and James Shore, their lives. His indictment and consequent findings of manslaughter is a terrible price to pay for everyone involved. Mr. Ray will never be free of the penalty and the memories of the suffering that his arrogant actions caused others. He will also pay a price on the spiritual plane which has far reaching consequences for his soul.
"A jury recently found self-help motivational speaker James Arthur Ray guilty of three counts of negligent homicide in the deaths of Kirby Brown, Liz Neuman and James Shore. The three died after a sweat lodge ceremony Ray conducted in 2009 as part of a spiritual retreat. The heavier charge of manslaughter was dropped, but Ray could still be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for his part in their deaths."
http://lagunaniguel.patch.com/articles/james-arthur-rays-guilty-verdict-sweat-lodges-new-age-negligent-homicide-indictment-spirituality-native-american-self-help-guru-laws-of-attraction-the-secret
"Ray’s theme of the retreat seemed to be based on the catharsis of the death process. In tarot, one of the strongest and most transformative cards is Death. This card symbolizes not a real death, but a metamorphosis where by an old layer is peeled a way and a new path is begun for the seeker."
"Theoretically, many healing techniques and initiations utilize some form of this process. This is the age-old journey of transformation used since ancient times, the ultimate quest. It is shown in the adept going out in the wilderness to face himself or in various coming-of-age ceremonies where young men and women are transformed by a ritualized custom to quickly move from adolescence to adulthood."
"In Ray’s case, he took the metamorphosis too far, and when the repercussions emerged—people passing out from the heat—it seemed he was overwhelmed. There was a loss of life and a loss of faith in him. Ultimately the situation is taking him through the exact same metamorphosis as he faces everything."
Is James Arthur Ray’s Guilty Verdict of Negligent Homicide an Indictment of New Age Spirituality? As you will no doubt read in other accounts of this story, there are people who still support James Ray, no matter what he has done.
I do hope that seekers who choose sweat lodges for personal transformation now and in the future will research the leader's background and practices before ever entering into the lodge. Do I personally think that this event impacts new age spirituality? Well, yes, but it is not a death blow to the entire new age spiritual community. We learn by mistakes, and grow from the experiences, both negative and positive. I do hope that others will not perceive this comment as callous or cold. Nothing could be further from the truth.
