The sweat lodge ceremony for spiritual healing

Authors:
SCHIFF Jeannette W., PELECH William
Journal article citation:
Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 26(4), 2007, pp.71-93.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA

The use of water and heat to promote cleansing and healing has been widespread in many cultures, and in some cases – such as the sweat lodge ceremonies of North America – there is a specific ceremonial component that also encompasses spiritual renewal. This has appeal outside indigenous communities, and has been used in social work applications such as substance abuse treatment. The sweat lodge ceremony is described in general terms only (out of respect for traditional reticence about its detailed nature), and the research study described in the paper similarly excludes any consideration of the ritual or the personal experiences of participants. The aim was to measure the impact on their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being using the Heroic Myth Index (HMI) which was applied both before and after the ceremony. The findings confirm that changes in spiritual and emotional well-being can be measured using the HMI, and that measurable changes did occur in spirituality and social cohesion. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street,  Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).

Subject terms:
indigenous people, spirituality, treatment, therapy and treatment;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Canada
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1542 6440
ISSN print:
1542 6432

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