SWEAT LODGE

SWEAT LODGE SUNDAYS

 6:00 PM

1840 Brinker Ave. Ogden, UT. 84401

We do our weekly sweat lodge Sundays at 6:00 PM. We will begin preparing the fire and finishing things around lodge and prayer circle around 4:00 PM. Getting the lodge ready is all part the whole experience, come help out. Contact Scott at 801-920-6213 with questions or for information.

Connection with all makes us one

The Be One Prayer and Meditation Lodge

The Be One Prayer and Meditation Lodge is a sacred place where people come together to raise their “Spiritual Vibrations” and increase their “Spiritual Energy”. The ceremonies are done to help people find what they need to find, in their individual pursuit of “Spiritual Enlightenment” take themselves to a deeper awareness of their “True Selves” and cultivate their connection with “All That Is”.

Our lodges are done with the deepest respect for the ancient rituals and traditions of the Native Americans, and other cultures around the world. Our lodges are done to make them all inclusive and understandable to people of all faiths and spiritual paths. First, we work with Spiritual Truths that can be understood by everyone. Second, we take into account that different people have different views and are looking to get out of the lodge what they need for their own “Spiritual Enlightenment” or to help them in the ways that they need. Lastly, we believe that we all can call on spirits and the energy of “All That Is” and that no one person or people hold an exclusive connection or is closer to the spirit while in or out of a lodge.

I welcome all to Be One With Me in the lodge as a fellow traveler on the path to find what we need to find.

About the Lodge

We have taken great care to make this lodge all inclusive and to not hold back the things that we have found helpful while seeking our own spiritual enlightenment.

Steeped in symbolism and metaphor this lodge is open to all interpretation, though great care should be exercised not to get too caught up in them. The sole purpose of this lodge is to help people find what they need to find, in their individual pursuit of “Spiritual Enlightenment” and take themselves to a deeper awareness of their “True Selves” and form a personal connection and communion with “All That Is”, together, as one.

The lodge is located at United Spiritual Grounds in Ogden, Utah on what we deemed and blessed as sacred ground, in a place that we consider a spiritual vortex that receives energy out of the Ogden Canyon. Situated on the hill above the Ogden River that flows from the “East” out of the canyon, it is a place where the Native Americans once made their home. The wind comes down from the canyon and carries energy, as it comes from the “East” in the mornings and the afternoon/evening. The placement of the lodge is due “West” of the sun as it rises through the canyon, on the Summer Solstice, and receives the energy of both Air and Water that follows the path of the Sun. Placement of the lodge is optimal to receive the spiritual energy that is of all four elements, Earth, Air, Water, and Fire (the Sun).

To the “West” lies another vastness that we look at as how our lives are truly open with few boundaries, The Great Salt Lake and the Flats represent the time we are here on Earth until the setting of our Sun. The “Past” and the “endings of the different cycles, stages and places we have been in our lives”, are faced with gratitude and appreciation for the lessons and experience gained in both our lives and as a collective energy.

From the location of the lodge we can look to the “North” and see Ben Lomond Peak which blocks the view further North in the direction of the “Great Unknown” and the direction of our “Ancestors”. Made of the rocks and Earth from which we all come from and return to. We pay reverence to the great fact that we are part of the earth and our love for “Mother Earth”.

The “East” provides us the direction of “New Beginnings” the sun rising on new days, experiences, lives and hope. The color of yellow and the flow of energy created by the possibilities gives us a place to start again, facing all new adventures with excitement and eagerness to be the best we can be.

To the “South” the direction of the Sun, of life and representative of the time we are here on the earth. We know that the vastness that goes on for miles and miles and continues with few obstruction and limitation that can be overcome, as it is in our lives while we are here on earth. The mountains on the East and the West sides of the southern vastness, reminds us that we have boundaries in our lives, though they can be crossed when we need to.

Remember, all the symbolism and metaphor this lodge is open to all interpretation, though great care should be exercised not to get too caught up in them. Understand that the location of the lodge is special place that is truly blessed and brings a sense of peace to those who come here.

Things you need to know if you plan to attend.

Space is limited to the sweats.

Please text 801-920-6213 to R.S.V.P

It Gets Hot!!

You get wet, bring a towel and a blanket/robe for when you get out if it is real cold outside.

Shorts and tanks are acceptable

There is no charge – gifts of incense, colored fabric, artificial flowers and stepping stones are gladly accepted.

Come with an open mind and positive energy!

Set an intention of what you would like to get out of the experience.

If you have special things or issues that you will be addressing in the sweat please contact Scott for guidance on what you need to do and to see if there is anything we can do to help you get the most out of the sweat .

Anything that is said or done in the lodge, is of that lodge and remains as such.

We select a topic or theme each week to use as a guideline for our meditations and discussions. Each individual’s intent for what they need from the lodge varies week to week and though we work with a topic or theme each week, everyone is encouraged to form their own intention as to what they want to get out of the lodge.

The lodge is about connection with “all that is” and with each other, with our common positive energy that we all share and that is drawn from the universe and used to help each person find what they need from their time in the lodge.

We encourage those in attendance to remain in the lodge during the rounds while the door is shut, but do not want anyone to have a bad experience. One may ask to be let out if needed. We have found that people usually want to leave out of fear that we all have faced, should face and overcome and by doing so we find out more about ourselves in the process.

The lodge is equipped with speakers and we play music that suits the topic, or is just cool to listen to while we work on ourselves, and to concentrate on or sing along with.

Experience has shown us that when we come together in a common energy lifting experience we find out more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined. We finish our week in this lodge and start the next with a new outlook, purified and reborn into the world from which we cannot escape.

We hope to see you soon in the lodge and you do not have to come inside to be part of the lodge. If you have any questions or have anything you need help with, please give Scott a call beforehand to help you get the most out of your experience. 

The Lodge

The lodge itself has many things that make it special and unique. Coming from and based in the traditions of the Native Americans we have constructed it to include symbolism from other cultures as well. All the material that was used in its construction was recycled or reused and would have been taken to a landfill. With that in mind the lodge is symbolic of our care for “Mother Earth”.

The lodge is “Eight” sided to represent the “Eight Fold Noble Path” to remove suffering. The main roof supports run, East to West and North to South for the four directions and are held up vertically for reverence to the earth and sky. The door is facing to the West so when we enter, we enter to the East or the direction of the rising sun or the new day. When we exit the lodge we do so to the West in the direction of the path of the Sun symbolic of our rebirth to our new lives.

The lodge itself is representative of the Mother’s womb, placed on the Earth and of Mother Earth. In actuality it has “Nine” flat sides when you count the side with the door, which represents the Nine months we are in our Mother’s womb. The heat of the lodge and the comfort combined with the little discomfort at times and the fact that we exit the lodge to return to the cold world outside like at our birth when we left our Mother.

While we are in the lodge we are “One” working together to raise the “Spiritual Vibrations” and gather as much “Spiritual Energy” as we can. Calling on the energy that is of the “Father” and forming a connection with, the Supreme Energy, which we came from, preparing us for our rebirth when we leave the lodge, with a higher knowledge of our “True Selves”, with a deeper understanding of how we are of both Mother and of Father.

Our purification (Sweating) is brought on by the raising of the temperature in the lodge to what may seem at times to be almost unbearable, the humidity and heat will raise our internal temperature to what is considered a “Fever” and though we are not sick our body will work the same way as if we were. At times we may see things or feel a little out of sorts, dizzy, or nauseous. We do a number of rounds and let fresh air in between rounds, the time of the rounds vary and could be cut short depending on the heat being generated.

Depending on the ceremony we are doing the heat in the lodge is provided by bringing either 13 (one for each moon cycle in the year) or 28 (one for each day in the cycle of the moon) glowing hot “Rocks” into the lodge and pouring “Medicine Water” on them. Rocks are the oldest things on this Earth and as we come from and are of this Earth they are our oldest ancestors. They are heated for an hour to an hour and a half in the Fire that lies due “West” of the door to the lodge and is symbolic of the Sun on Earth, givers of life, both Sun and Earth. The water is another giver of life and being we are all comprised of mostly water, it is us.

Anytime we approach the lodge we do so with the respect we would show our mothers. We never cross the line between the fire, alter and the middle of the lodge out of respect for the fire keeper and the person pouring water and to remember there are lines that we should not cross in our lives. We walk around the fire to the left hand side of the door to prepare to enter the lodge.

The Ceremony

Preparation of the lodge, the fire, and placement of the Rocks* and for heating of them takes a few hours and is a time when the people preparing it use to deepen their connection to their intention. The Fire Keeper(s) ensure that the fire heats the Rocks* and maintains the area around the fire. We take great care bringing the Rocks* into the lodge and blessing them as they go in, one at a time and placing them in the ground in the center of the lodge.   When all the Rocks* have been placed we line up to enter the lodge.

Before entering we start by smudging ourselves (with the smoke from sage and other medicinal herbs) to remove unwanted or negative energy. Rotating in a clockwise manner we pay reverence to all four directions before entering the lodge. We let the women go in first to sit to the south and the east side of the lodge. We place items of personal meaning upon the alter outside the door and enter.

We move through the lodge in a clockwise manner entering to the left to the North to East to South then exiting to the West symbolizing the passage of time and the ”Seasons” that are represented by the different directions. Lastly the water is brought in and we will soon close the door and begin the First round.

Once inside our ceremony is simple and changes from lodge to lodge, no two lodges are the same. The music is used to help raise vibrations, keep rhythm, and give us something to concentrate on while in the lodge. Once all have entered we take a moment to thank all in attendance, the fire keeper, those who have prepared the lodge and the person pouring water. We take time to introduce ourselves and make clear our intentions in attending the lodge. The person pouring water will answer any questions and explain a couple things then say a quick prayer for the safety of all in attendance.

The First round begins by paying reverence to the directions, calling on the spirits and the energy of those directions, to enter and be part of us all. As water is added and the heat begins to rise, our connection or rejection of the different directions and what they represent, helps to form deeper intentions, bringing forth the reason we are in the lodge. We will have a moment of silence for us all to have reflection of all that gives us and is our life, sit for a moment then open the door. This concludes the first round.

In between the rounds we sit with the door open and talk about things that come up, address fears and intentions as well as the things we are experiencing. One might sit in silence and meditation or participate in the discussions, this is the magic the moments when we find our true selves.

The Second round is about raising the “Spiritual Vibrations” and our connection to the others in the lodge, focusing on brotherly love and compassion for all. Different things happen in every lodge and this round is powerful for the whole process, in that it is when we begin to release our restrictions to the spirit. We will have a moment of silence then open the door and conclude the second round.

The third round is our “Prayer” round. We take it as it comes. Again, every lodge is different and we just see where it is taking us. Then conclude the third round.

The Fourth (final round) will begin and will focus on the direction of the collective energy. We focus on the blessings of life, oneness and peace, as the lodge is heated up for the final time. The door will be opened after a couple minutes of silent reflection or meditation. And that will conclude the final round.

We will sit for a while with the door open go around and let each person have a chance to say something, a word of thanks or whatever they are inspired to say. Additional Rounds may be done and people are encouraged to exit the lodge when they are ready. Then we will exit the lodge and thank each person as we come out for their energy, prayers and for being one with us.

When we exit we do so toward the fire (the Sun on Earth) rising pure, like a newborn, like the sun, to a new day and new life, filled with “Spiritual Energy” and a new connection with “All That Is” our “True Selves” and our “Brothers and Sisters” from our lodge and those who have ever been or ever will be in any lodge (Mother).

Understanding The Whole Process 

People attending the lodge find that the things that they experience to be what ever thy set their intention to find. It is recommended to set an intention for examples; “I want to find out what this is all about.” While this is a great intention for a first timer we encourage people to add to this by saying something like, ” I am here to find out what this as about, while working on a connection to my True Self and sharing energy with all that are here.” “I want to find peace and or closure to a passing of a human experience.” (what ever that experience my be) “I want to release fear associated with a new beginning.” “I am looking for answers to the deepest levels of my human thoughts.” “I am celebrating my True Self and the power I am a part of and want to continue to deepen my relationship with that power.”

There are powerful energies that are brought into the lodge by the different people in attendance and the things we are doing to raise the levels in the lodge as the ceremony progresses. The Energy of the lodge is an organic thing that flows as it needs to flow for the betterment of all that are in attendance. We just go with it and see where It takes us. Different exercises we do may seem to take us to different places in our connection with each other and or the world. Again we just go with it; We may do things like laugh just to laugh, scream just to scream or hum or sing or even chant. Om and other primal sounds may be a focus of the group or just an individual. When we can work together to help each other connect to the best of the best we are being our best.

There are physical things that are going on while one is in the lodge that may need to be understood by our discriminating and analytical minds to let go and just be part of the whole experience.

More coming Soon…

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UNITED SPIRITUAL GROUNDS

United Spiritual Grounds is what we call our home. Located in Ogden, Utah in town, situated above the Ogden River, with beautiful views to the North. Our grounds and gardens are a place of retreat and comfort to those who live here and visit. Feel free to stop by and say hi. FOR DIRECTIONS CLICK HERE

Be One With Me is a group of like minded people who are growing together in development and understanding of the things that make us whole. We focus on the Mind Body and Spirit and believe that all people benefit from the things we do together and as individuals for ourselves. Living life on a spiritual path has proven to make life worthwhile and with purpose for those who find one. Together we are one and we invite you to Be One with us.

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