Exploring the Psychology of Ritual, Mythology, and Ordeal within the Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Gary Stewart of Murdoch University in Western Australia completed a study using grounded theory methodology to investigate the psychological effects of sweat lodges. Below is an excerpt from his unpublished thesis (2006, p 32.):
The most commonly reported theme was that of spiritual connection and how the Sweat Lodge encounter enabled participants the feeling of connectedness and spiritual unity.
This spiritual connection was frequently said to add meaning and purpose to the participant’s life. Often the data suggested that those interviewed had gained a sense of direction and purpose in their lives as a result of being involved with Sweat Lodge ceremonies.
The theme of feeling at home in the world and the universe and the sense of existential purpose, is possibly the most important theme that emerged from the data. The data indicates that the physical environment of the Sweat Lodge combined with the ritual component generate non-ordinary states of consciousness. The data also reveals that the facilitator teaches participants through the mythology of the Sweat Lodge and through different themes, while the attendees are in an altered state of consciousness.
This, as indicated by the data, has a powerful psychological effect on the participants, which is seen as profoundly positive and life changing.
