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'James Arthur Ray'

'James Arthur Ray'

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'/* Sweat lodge deaths */ lies?'

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'{{Infobox Person | name = James Arthur Ray | image = JamesArthurRay.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|11|22}} | birth_place = [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = [[New Thought]] author, [[Motivational speaker]] | spouse = }} '''James Arthur Ray''' (born November 22, 1957) is a professional [[Public speaking|speaker]] and [[author]]. He has been a guest on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Oprah]]'',<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_20070216 The Secret Is Out], Oprah.com</ref> ''[[Larry King Live]]''<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0703/08/lkl.01.html Transcript, "The Secret Revealed"], [[Larry King Live]], March 8, 2007</ref> and ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'', and is the author of ''Harmonic Wealth'', a [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestseller]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/books/bestseller/0518besthardadvice.html Hardcover Advice], [[New York Times]], May 18, 2008</ref> He is a self-described "personal success strategist [and] visionary."<ref name="aboutjr">[http://jamesray.com/company/about-james-ray.php About James Ray] (official)</ref> Ray is the [[President]] and [[CEO]] of James Ray International,<ref name="aboutjr"/> a private company which holds seminars and mentoring services on wealth creation. As of October 2009, the company was not Better Business Bureau accredited, which gives the company a C rating for 7 complaints filed and 2 unresolved.<ref>[http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/training-programs/james-ray-international-in-carlsbad-ca-16004381/#rating]</ref> He was also one of the guest speakers in the 2006 film ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''. == Sweat lodge deaths == On October 8, 2009, at a [[New Age]] "Spiritual Warrior" retreat conceived and hosted by Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in [[Yavapai County, Arizona|Yavapai County]] near [[Sedona, Arizona]], James Shore and Kirby Brown died. Eighteen others were hospitalized after suffering burns, dehydration, breathing problems, kidney failure or elevated body temperature in a large [[sweat lodge]]. Liz Neuman, another attendee, died October 17 after being comatose for a week.<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/10/15/20091015sweatlodgerecords1014-ON-CP.html</ref> The attendees, who had paid up to $10,000 to participate in the retreat, had fasted for 36 hours during a "[[vision quest]]" exercise before the next day's sweat lodge. During this "vision quest", participants were left alone in the Arizona desert with a sleeping bag, although Ray offered them Peruvian ponchos for an additional $250.<ref name="dougherty2"/> After this experience, participants ate a large buffet breakfast before entering the sweat lodge.<ref name="nickallen"/> Ray refused to speak to authorities and left Arizona soon after the sweat lodge deaths.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/spiritual-warrior--cleanses-tweets-after-fatal-ceremony-20091012-gtft.html</ref> According to sweat lodge participants, a note was left that said Ray was unavailable as he was in "prayer and meditation".<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCallPlus/arizona-sweat-lodge-survivor-james-arthur-ray-abandoned/story?id=8897573</ref> The [[Yavapai County, Arizona|Yavapai County]] Sheriff, Steve Waugh, said October 10 that the investigation was focusing on Ray and his staff in an attempt to determine if [[criminal negligence]] was involved.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/12/crimesider/entry5378668.shtml</ref> The county sheriff's office held firm in the belief that Ray's staff actually built the sweat lodge, despite a claim by Ray's spokesperson, [[Howard Bragman]], that the staff contracted the Angel Valley resort to build it.<ref name="dougherty">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/us/13brfs-SELFHELPEXPE_BRF.html?_r=1 Dougherty, John: "Arizona: Sehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33364440/ns/us_news/lf-Help Expert Contests Police Statements," ''The New York Times'', October 12, 2009]</ref> The Angel Valley resort would not comment on the details of the contract.<ref name="dougherty"/> The site owners press release says James Ray was the sweat session facilitator in direction and control. <ref>Michael and Amayra Hamilton, "Resort owners issue press release about sweat lodge deaths", azfamily.com, 10/13/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/home/related/Resort-owners--64141327.html]</ref> According to investigators, a local group built the sweat lodge under hire. The site owners reported by e-mail that it was built in 2008. "This structure has been used on several other occasions since it was erected, without ever having caused any problem or even coming close to being problematic," Angel Valley Retreat Center owner Amayra Hamilton said.<ref>Glen Creno, "Commercialization of sweat-lodge ceremony appalls Native Americans", The Arizona Republic, 10/21/2009[http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/10/22/20091022fakesweatlodge1021.html]</ref> Jack Judd, the county building safety manager, said that there was no record of a permit or an application for a permit to build the sweat lodge.<ref name="ap">[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091013_In_the_Nation.html "Ariz. sweat lodge lacked key permit," Associated Press via [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]], October 13, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-sweat-lodge-deaths,0,1668787.story Fonseca, Felicia: "County official says Arizona sweat lodge where 2 died during spiritual retreat lacked permit," AP via ''The Sun Sentinel''October 13, 2009]</ref> Bragman claimed that the sweat lodge, which is a 415-[[square foot]] space, could accommodate up to 75 people.<ref name="ap"/> On the day of the tragedy, between 55 to 65 people were crowded into the space during a two-hour period.<ref name="nickallen">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6311726/Couple-die-during-spiritual-cleansing-ceremony.html Allen, Nick: "Couple die during spiritual cleansing ceremony," The UK's ''The Daily Telegraph'', 12 October 2009]</ref><ref name="ap"/> However, Joseph Bruchac, another expert in Indian tradition, has suggested that the number of people inside this sweat lodge far exceeded the norm. <ref>http://www.startribune.com/nation/63935292.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ</ref> On October 15, 2009, the Yavapai County [[sheriff]]'s office upgraded the investigations into the deaths of James Shore and Kirby Brown to [[homicide]] probes, after talking with participants.<ref name="sweeney">[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6877363.ece Sweeney, Claire: "'Sweat lodge' deaths being investigated as homicides," [[The Times|The (London) Times]] online, 16 October 2009]</ref> Officials claimed the sweat lodge lacked the necessary building permit.<ref name="sweeney"/> James Ray has apparently arranged for his own private investigation into the deaths.<ref name="sweeney"/> He expressed sorrow and shed tears during a seminar in [[Los Angeles]], although he did not explicitly apologize for the deaths.<ref name="sweeney"/> Detectives executed a search warrant at James Ray International's offices.<ref name="examiner.com">http://www.examiner.com/x-4805-Arizona-Rural-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m10d16-Criminal-investigation-launched-in-Sedona-sweat-lodge-incident</ref> On October 15, 2009, print media began reporting that Mr. Ray conducted a conference call with some victims, one of which recorded this call and provided it to the AP.<ref name="examiner.com"/> During this call, a self-described "channeler" said that they had communicated with the dead and said they "were having so much fun" out of their bodies that they didn't want to return. <ref name="dougherty2">JOHN DOUGHERTY, "For Some Seeking Rebirth, Sweat Lodge Was End ", 10/21/2009 [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/us/22sweat.html?hp]</ref> On October 17 Ray's spokesperson Howard Bragman said, responding to the investigation upgrade, "I think they are trying to tar my client. Somebody must be running for re-election in Yavapai County." <ref>Glen Creno, "Guru's spokesman criticizes sheriff's investigation of 2 deaths"' The Arizona Republic, 10/17/2009 [http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/10/17/20091017sweatlodge1017.html]</ref> Ray has a Twitter account and was sending "tweets" of his intentions on the day of the deaths, before the lodge event. Apparently, Mr. Ray later deleted the tweets, but they were nonetheless found by others and reported. They included references to death. <ref>http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/09/2-people-died-in-a-sweat-lodge-last-night-and-deleted-tweets-have-surfaced/</ref><ref>http://search.twitter.com/search?max_id=4747167954&page=1&q=+from:jamesaray</ref> === Witness accounts === Sedona resident Shawna Bowen arrived late to the event. She said, "One of the women I was tending to was asking for James Ray and calling for him". "I got the impression he was shell-shocked by what the results of the sweat lodge were" said Bowen. From her experiences in lodge participation, she speculated the tragedy would not have happened if Ray was properly trained and said that he should be held accountable.<ref>Jim Carr, "Ray follower discusses sweat lodge ceremony", azfaimly.com, 10/16/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html]</ref> Texas resident Beverley Bunn, a participant, spoke to the AP for an October 21, 2009, article. The AP describes her account as "by the time the sweat lodge ceremony began, the participants had undergone days of physically and mentally strenuous events that included fasting. In one game, guru James Arthur Ray even played God. Within an hour of entering the sweat lodge, people began vomiting, gasping for air and collapsing. Yet Bunn says Ray continually urged everyone to stay inside."<ref>Felicia Fonseca, "AP Newsbreak: 1st sweat lodge survivor speaks out", AP, 10/21/2009[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6678563.html]</ref> Sidney Spencer participated and was air lifted from the Angel Valley Retreat Center to a Flagstaff hospital. She has difficulty talking, after suffering multiple organ failures and neurological issues. "If this sweat-lodge experience had been conducted properly nobody would have been injured, but it was reckless how they handled this thing," said Ted Schmidt, who represents Spencer.<ref>Kirsten Joyce, "Sweat-lodge participants say leader urged them to stay inside", azfimly.com, 10/21/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/news/Participants-in-deadly-sweat-lodge-ceremony-speak-out-65326352.html]</ref> === Native American perspective === Native American chiefs and experts on [[sweat lodges]] have criticized the reported construction and conduct of the lodge as not meeting traditional ways ("bastardized" and "mocked"). Indian leaders expressed concerns and prayers for the dead and injured. The typical leader has 4 to 8 years of apprenticeship before being allowed to care for people in a lodge. The ceremony should only be in sanctioned lodge carriers hands from legitimate nations. Participants are instructed to call out whenever they feel uncomfortable, and the ceremony is usually stopped to help them. The lodge was said to be unusually built from non-breathable materials. Charging for the ceremony was said to be inappropriate. The number of participants was criticized as too high and the ceremony length was said to be too long. Respect to elders' oversight was said to be important for avoiding unfortunate events. The tragedy was characterized as "plain carelessness", with a disregard for the participants safety and outright negligence.<ref>Bob Goulais,"Dying to experience native ceremonies",North Bay Nugget, 10/24/2009[[http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2144903]]</ref> The Native American community actively seeks to prevent abuses of their traditions.<ref>Cheif Chemito, Comments reported on Phoenix Fox 10 by Miriam Garcia, 10/10/2009 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLILFSrfmBs]</ref><ref>Valerie Taliman, "Taliman: Selling the sacred", Indian Country Today, 10/13/2009 [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/64077357.html]</ref><ref>Lindsay Hocker, "Sweat lodge incident 'not our Indian way", Quad-Cities Online, 10/14/2009 [http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=462433]</ref><ref>Chief Arvol Looking Horse, "Concerning the deaths in Sedona", Indian Country Today, 10/16/2009 [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/columnists/64486777.html]</ref><ref>All Nations Indigenous Native American Indian Cultural Center, "Native Elder Addresses Deaths In Sweat Lodge", BlackHillsToday, 10/17/2009 [http://www.blackhillsportal.com/npps/story.cfm?ID=3492]</ref> The Angel Valley owners announced they have accepted Native American friends' help to "heal the land".<ref>Michael and Amayra Hamilton, "Resort owners issue press release about sweat lodge deaths", azfamily.com, 10/13/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/home/related/Resort-owners--64141327.html]</ref> == Published books == * ''The Science of Success'', SunArk Press 2003, ISBN 9780966740011 * ''Practical Spirituality: How to Use Spiritual Power to Create Tangible Results'', SunArk Press 2003, ISBN 9780966740035 * ''Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want'', [[Disney Hyperion|Hyperion Books]] 2008, ISBN 9781401322649 * ''The Seven Laws of True Wealth: Create the Life You Desire and Deserve'', [[Disney Hyperion|Hyperion Books]] Books 2009, ISBN 9781401322847 == See also == * [[Cultural appropriation]] * [[Neoshamanism]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == * [http://www.jamesray.com/ James Ray International] * [http://www.harmonicwealth.com/ Harmonic Wealth] * [http://blog.jamesray.com/ James Ray's blog] * {{imdb name|2329886|James Arthur Ray}} * [http://twitter.com/jamesAray James Arthur Ray on Twitter] * [http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html Coverage of sweat lodge deaths] {{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, James Arthur}} [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:American motivational speakers]] [[Category:American motivational writers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New Age authors]] [[Category:New Thought writers]] [[Category:People from Honolulu, Hawaii]]'

'{{Infobox Person | name = James Arthur Ray | image = JamesArthurRay.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|11|22}} | birth_place = [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = [[New Thought]] author, [[Motivational speaker]] | spouse = }} '''James Arthur Ray''' (born November 22, 1957) is a professional [[Public speaking|speaker]] and [[author]]. He has been a guest on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Oprah]]'',<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_20070216 The Secret Is Out], Oprah.com</ref> ''[[Larry King Live]]''<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0703/08/lkl.01.html Transcript, "The Secret Revealed"], [[Larry King Live]], March 8, 2007</ref> and ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'', and is the author of ''Harmonic Wealth'', a [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestseller]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/books/bestseller/0518besthardadvice.html Hardcover Advice], [[New York Times]], May 18, 2008</ref> He is a self-described "personal success strategist [and] visionary."<ref name="aboutjr">[http://jamesray.com/company/about-james-ray.php About James Ray] (official)</ref> Ray is the [[President]] and [[CEO]] of James Ray International,<ref name="aboutjr"/> a private company which holds seminars and mentoring services on wealth creation. As of October 2009, the company was not Better Business Bureau accredited, which gives the company a C rating for 7 complaints filed and 2 unresolved.<ref>[http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/training-programs/james-ray-international-in-carlsbad-ca-16004381/#rating]</ref> He was also one of the guest speakers in the 2006 film ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''. == Sweat lodge deaths == On October 8, 2009, at a [[New Age]] "Spiritual Warrior" retreat conceived and hosted by Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in [[Yavapai County, Arizona|Yavapai County]] near [[Sedona, Arizona]], James Shore and Kirby Brown died. Eighteen others were hospitalized after suffering burns, dehydration, breathing problems, kidney failure or elevated body temperature in a large [[sweat lodge]]. Liz Neuman, another attendee, died October 17 after being comatose for a week.<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/10/15/20091015sweatlodgerecords1014-ON-CP.html</ref> The attendees, who had paid up to $10,000 to participate in the retreat, had fasted for 36 hours during a "[[vision quest]]" exercise before the next day's sweat lodge. During this "vision quest", participants were left alone in the Arizona desert with a sleeping bag, although Ray offered them Peruvian ponchos for an additional $250.<ref name="dougherty2"/> After this experience, participants ate a large buffet breakfast before entering the sweat lodge.<ref name="nickallen"/> Ray refused to speak to authorities and left Arizona soon after the sweat lodge deaths.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/spiritual-warrior--cleanses-tweets-after-fatal-ceremony-20091012-gtft.html</ref> According to sweat lodge participants, a note was left that said Ray was unavailable as he was in "prayer and meditation".<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCallPlus/arizona-sweat-lodge-survivor-james-arthur-ray-abandoned/story?id=8897573</ref> The [[Yavapai County, Arizona|Yavapai County]] Sheriff, Steve Waugh, said October 10 that the investigation was focusing on Ray and his staff in an attempt to determine if [[criminal negligence]] was involved.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/12/crimesider/entry5378668.shtml</ref> The county sheriff's office held firm in the belief that Ray's staff actually built the sweat lodge, despite a claim by Ray's spokesperson, [[Howard Bragman]], that the staff contracted the Angel Valley resort to build it.<ref name="dougherty">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/us/13brfs-SELFHELPEXPE_BRF.html?_r=1 Dougherty, John: "Arizona: Sehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33364440/ns/us_news/lf-Help Expert Contests Police Statements," ''The New York Times'', October 12, 2009]</ref> The Angel Valley resort would not comment on the details of the contract.<ref name="dougherty"/> The site owners press release says James Ray was the sweat session facilitator in direction and control. <ref>Michael and Amayra Hamilton, "Resort owners issue press release about sweat lodge deaths", azfamily.com, 10/13/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/home/related/Resort-owners--64141327.html]</ref> According to investigators, a local group built the sweat lodge under hire. The site owners reported by e-mail that it was built in 2008. "This structure has been used on several other occasions since it was erected, without ever having caused any problem or even coming close to being problematic," Angel Valley Retreat Center owner Amayra Hamilton said.<ref>Glen Creno, "Commercialization of sweat-lodge ceremony appalls Native Americans", The Arizona Republic, 10/21/2009[http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/10/22/20091022fakesweatlodge1021.html]</ref> Jack Judd, the county building safety manager, said that there was no record of a permit or an application for a permit to build the sweat lodge.<ref name="ap">[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091013_In_the_Nation.html "Ariz. sweat lodge lacked key permit," Associated Press via [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]], October 13, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-sweat-lodge-deaths,0,1668787.story Fonseca, Felicia: "County official says Arizona sweat lodge where 2 died during spiritual retreat lacked permit," AP via ''The Sun Sentinel''October 13, 2009]</ref> Bragman claimed that the sweat lodge, which is a 415-[[square foot]] space, could accommodate up to 75 people.<ref name="ap"/> On the day of the tragedy, between 55 to 65 people were crowded into the space during a two-hour period.<ref name="nickallen">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6311726/Couple-die-during-spiritual-cleansing-ceremony.html Allen, Nick: "Couple die during spiritual cleansing ceremony," The UK's ''The Daily Telegraph'', 12 October 2009]</ref><ref name="ap"/> However, Joseph Bruchac, another expert in Indian tradition, has suggested that the number of people inside this sweat lodge far exceeded the norm. <ref>http://www.startribune.com/nation/63935292.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ</ref> On October 15, 2009, the Yavapai County [[sheriff]]'s office upgraded the investigations into the deaths of James Shore and Kirby Brown to [[homicide]] probes, after talking with participants.<ref name="sweeney">[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6877363.ece Sweeney, Claire: "'Sweat lodge' deaths being investigated as homicides," [[The Times|The (London) Times]] online, 16 October 2009]</ref> Officials claimed the sweat lodge lacked the necessary building permit.<ref name="sweeney"/> James Ray has apparently arranged for his own private investigation into the deaths.<ref name="sweeney"/> He expressed sorrow and shed tears during a seminar in [[Los Angeles]], although he did not explicitly apologize for the deaths.<ref name="sweeney"/> Detectives executed a search warrant at James Ray International's offices.<ref name="examiner.com">http://www.examiner.com/x-4805-Arizona-Rural-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m10d16-Criminal-investigation-launched-in-Sedona-sweat-lodge-incident</ref> On October 15, 2009, print media began reporting that Mr. Ray conducted a conference call with some victims, one of which recorded this call and provided it to the AP.<ref name="examiner.com"/> During this call, a self-described "channeler" said that they had communicated with the dead and said they "were having so much fun" out of their bodies that they didn't want to return. <ref name="dougherty2">JOHN DOUGHERTY, "For Some Seeking Rebirth, Sweat Lodge Was End ", 10/21/2009 [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/us/22sweat.html?hp]</ref> On October 17 Ray's spokesperson Howard Bragman said, responding to the investigation upgrade, "I think they are trying to tar my client. Somebody must be running for re-election in Yavapai County." <ref>Glen Creno, "Guru's spokesman criticizes sheriff's investigation of 2 deaths"' The Arizona Republic, 10/17/2009 [http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/10/17/20091017sweatlodge1017.html]</ref> On October 28, the family of sweat lodge victim Kirby Brown says that Ray is insincere. They said he assured them he was working with authorities and yet the sheriff hasn't received an official statement from Ray. <ref>Sammy Rose Saltzman,"Sweat Lodge Victim's Family: Guru James Arthur Ray Lied to Us", CBS News, 10/28/2009[http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/27/crimesider/entry5425826.shtml]</ref> Ray has a Twitter account and was sending "tweets" of his intentions on the day of the deaths, before the lodge event. Apparently, Mr. Ray later deleted the tweets, but they were nonetheless found by others and reported. They included references to death. <ref>http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/09/2-people-died-in-a-sweat-lodge-last-night-and-deleted-tweets-have-surfaced/</ref><ref>http://search.twitter.com/search?max_id=4747167954&page=1&q=+from:jamesaray</ref> === Witness accounts === Sedona resident Shawna Bowen arrived late to the event. She said, "One of the women I was tending to was asking for James Ray and calling for him". "I got the impression he was shell-shocked by what the results of the sweat lodge were" said Bowen. From her experiences in lodge participation, she speculated the tragedy would not have happened if Ray was properly trained and said that he should be held accountable.<ref>Jim Carr, "Ray follower discusses sweat lodge ceremony", azfaimly.com, 10/16/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html]</ref> Texas resident Beverley Bunn, a participant, spoke to the AP for an October 21, 2009, article. The AP describes her account as "by the time the sweat lodge ceremony began, the participants had undergone days of physically and mentally strenuous events that included fasting. In one game, guru James Arthur Ray even played God. Within an hour of entering the sweat lodge, people began vomiting, gasping for air and collapsing. Yet Bunn says Ray continually urged everyone to stay inside."<ref>Felicia Fonseca, "AP Newsbreak: 1st sweat lodge survivor speaks out", AP, 10/21/2009[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6678563.html]</ref> Sidney Spencer participated and was air lifted from the Angel Valley Retreat Center to a Flagstaff hospital. She has difficulty talking, after suffering multiple organ failures and neurological issues. "If this sweat-lodge experience had been conducted properly nobody would have been injured, but it was reckless how they handled this thing," said Ted Schmidt, who represents Spencer.<ref>Kirsten Joyce, "Sweat-lodge participants say leader urged them to stay inside", azfimly.com, 10/21/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/news/Participants-in-deadly-sweat-lodge-ceremony-speak-out-65326352.html]</ref> === Native American perspective === Native American chiefs and experts on [[sweat lodges]] have criticized the reported construction and conduct of the lodge as not meeting traditional ways ("bastardized" and "mocked"). Indian leaders expressed concerns and prayers for the dead and injured. The typical leader has 4 to 8 years of apprenticeship before being allowed to care for people in a lodge. The ceremony should only be in sanctioned lodge carriers hands from legitimate nations. Participants are instructed to call out whenever they feel uncomfortable, and the ceremony is usually stopped to help them. The lodge was said to be unusually built from non-breathable materials. Charging for the ceremony was said to be inappropriate. The number of participants was criticized as too high and the ceremony length was said to be too long. Respect to elders' oversight was said to be important for avoiding unfortunate events. The tragedy was characterized as "plain carelessness", with a disregard for the participants safety and outright negligence.<ref>Bob Goulais,"Dying to experience native ceremonies",North Bay Nugget, 10/24/2009[[http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2144903]]</ref> The Native American community actively seeks to prevent abuses of their traditions.<ref>Cheif Chemito, Comments reported on Phoenix Fox 10 by Miriam Garcia, 10/10/2009 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLILFSrfmBs]</ref><ref>Valerie Taliman, "Taliman: Selling the sacred", Indian Country Today, 10/13/2009 [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/64077357.html]</ref><ref>Lindsay Hocker, "Sweat lodge incident 'not our Indian way", Quad-Cities Online, 10/14/2009 [http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=462433]</ref><ref>Chief Arvol Looking Horse, "Concerning the deaths in Sedona", Indian Country Today, 10/16/2009 [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/columnists/64486777.html]</ref><ref>All Nations Indigenous Native American Indian Cultural Center, "Native Elder Addresses Deaths In Sweat Lodge", BlackHillsToday, 10/17/2009 [http://www.blackhillsportal.com/npps/story.cfm?ID=3492]</ref> The Angel Valley owners announced they have accepted Native American friends' help to "heal the land".<ref>Michael and Amayra Hamilton, "Resort owners issue press release about sweat lodge deaths", azfamily.com, 10/13/2009[http://www.azfamily.com/home/related/Resort-owners--64141327.html]</ref> == Published books == * ''The Science of Success'', SunArk Press 2003, ISBN 9780966740011 * ''Practical Spirituality: How to Use Spiritual Power to Create Tangible Results'', SunArk Press 2003, ISBN 9780966740035 * ''Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want'', [[Disney Hyperion|Hyperion Books]] 2008, ISBN 9781401322649 * ''The Seven Laws of True Wealth: Create the Life You Desire and Deserve'', [[Disney Hyperion|Hyperion Books]] Books 2009, ISBN 9781401322847 == See also == * [[Cultural appropriation]] * [[Neoshamanism]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == * [http://www.jamesray.com/ James Ray International] * [http://www.harmonicwealth.com/ Harmonic Wealth] * [http://blog.jamesray.com/ James Ray's blog] * {{imdb name|2329886|James Arthur Ray}} * [http://twitter.com/jamesAray James Arthur Ray on Twitter] * [http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html Coverage of sweat lodge deaths] {{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, James Arthur}} [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:American motivational speakers]] [[Category:American motivational writers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New Age authors]] [[Category:New Thought writers]] [[Category:People from Honolulu, Hawaii]]'

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