Sweat Lodge Building with Neal Rzepkowski

This workshop, which begins in the Octagon in the morning before moving to the beach, is for people who want to learn about lodge-building and ceremonies. Bring a sturdy knife to help strip bark from the saplings we will use, warm clothes, rain gear, and lodge clothes for the Saturday evening lodge and, if some request it, a Sunday morning lodge. Saturday will begin with smudging and prayer. We’ll take a look at some of the symbolism and ways that lodge ceremonies are conducted. We will then begin to collect and prepare saplings and stones in a sacred manner for the lodge. After lunch, we’ll meet back at the lodge site to begin construction. We’ll light the fire and begin to heat the   “stone people” by late afternoon. The lodge ceremony itself is always considered free, and therefore does not really constitute part of the workshop. Following the lodge that evening, you are welcome to bring a potluck dish to share with the group. We can eat near the lodge and share our experiences. You are welcome to bring drums, rattles, and any other sacred objects for blessing or energizing during the ceremonies.

Neal Rzepkowski has devoted himself and his beautiful, spiritual home to native ceremonies and guest teachers for many years. He hosts Lakota Yuwipi ceremonies. This small gathering of family and friends is held so that people can come together to pray in the powerful and healing space created by the songs, words, and prayers of a traditional Lakota ceremony. In the words of a medicine man: “The purpose of these ceremonies is to uphold the Lakota values of forgiveness, generosity, wisdom and bravery, not just for the Lakota, but for all people.”

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Non-reimbursement: Tickets are non-refundable; no reimbursement for unused or unattended events.