Spiritual guru James Arthur Ray made almost fifty people to bear with 5 days of fasting, mind-changing breathing exercises and sleep-deprivation during a sweat lodge ceremonial occasion near Sedona. The ceremony took lives of many attendees during the exercises. One of the survivors of the sweat lodge speaks out and tells the media about what happened at the ceremony.
According to Beverley Bunn, one of the survivors, the attendees were there to have a life-expanding experience which turned into a tragic event.
Beverley told the press that Ray sat inside the door of a sweat lodge which was spanning over 415 square-feet. He led the group of 50 people who were making chants and prayers. According to Bunn, Ray often poured water over the red-hot rocks which produced a rush of steam in the room. She recalled that it was difficult to breathe inside and she insisted on sitting near the door so that she could get some air. Bunn also mentioned that another guy walked out of the lodge saying that he ‘can’t take this, can’t do this’ as he was not able to breathe and couldn’t bear the heat. People were throwing up due to the heat and some were even lying lifeless on the floor. Many crawled towards the door and collapsed with the hot rocks and hence three of them died. Bunn says that no one was forcibly stopped to stay inside the lodge but they were driven spiritually to continue the process.
Almost a dozen participants were injured while three passed away. Two of the deceased person pronounced death on the spot while the third person succumbed to injuries while she was taken to hospital.
Investigators say that earlier it was not clear what role Ray has played in the incident but after Bunn’s statements a case could be filed against Ray who continued the ceremony even when he knew that the situation was becoming awry.
Ray, on the other hand, has maintained his innocence and vows to keep on doing his spiritual work.
Sweat Lodge
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