Edit filter log - Wikipedia
old_wikitext)'{{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. 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, an attendee, was in a coma in critical condition on October 15, 2009.<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/10/15/20091015sweatlodgerecords1014-ON-CP.html</ref> She died two days later on October 17.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33364440/ns/us_news/ </ref> The sweat lodge was covered in plastic and was constructed by Ray's staff.<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><ref>[http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/12/20091012sweatlodge-ON.html Arizona sweat lodge where 2 died lacked permit], AZCentral.com</ref><ref name="nickallen"/> The attendees, who had paid up to $10,000 to participate in the retreat, had fasted for 36 hours, then ate a large buffet breakfast before entering the sweat lodge.<ref name="nickallen"/> Ray refused to speak to authorities and left Arizona.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/spiritual-warrior--cleanses-tweets-after-fatal-ceremony-20091012-gtft.html</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"/> The Angel Valley resort would not comment on the details of the contract.<ref name="dougherty"/> 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 even shed tears during a seminar in [[Los Angeles]].<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"/> Mr. 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> 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 happen 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> ===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. 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 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", India 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> == 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}} ==External links== * [http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html Coverage of sweat lodge deaths] * [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] {{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, James Arthur}} [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Honolulu, Hawaii]] [[Category:American motivational writers]] [[Category:American motivational speakers]] [[Category:New Age authors]] [[Category:New Thought writers]]'
new_wikitext)'{{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. 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, an attendee, was in a coma in critical condition on October 15, 2009.<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/10/15/20091015sweatlodgerecords1014-ON-CP.html</ref> She died two days later on October 17.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33364440/ns/us_news/ </ref> The sweat lodge was covered in plastic and was constructed by Ray's staff.<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><ref>[http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/12/20091012sweatlodge-ON.html Arizona sweat lodge where 2 died lacked permit], AZCentral.com</ref><ref name="nickallen"/> The attendees, who had paid up to $10,000 to participate in the retreat, had fasted for 36 hours, then ate a large buffet breakfast before entering the sweat lodge.<ref name="nickallen"/> Ray refused to speak to authorities and left Arizona.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/spiritual-warrior--cleanses-tweets-after-fatal-ceremony-20091012-gtft.html</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"/> The Angel Valley resort would not comment on the details of the contract.<ref name="dougherty"/> 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 even shed tears during a seminar in [[Los Angeles]].<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"/> Mr. 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> 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 happen 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> ===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. 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 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", India 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 acepted Native American friends help to heal and review how incidents like this can be avoided in the future.<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}} ==External links== * [http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Sweat-lodge-participant-discusses-ceremony-64657012.html Coverage of sweat lodge deaths] * [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] {{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, James Arthur}} [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Honolulu, Hawaii]] [[Category:American motivational writers]] [[Category:American motivational speakers]] [[Category:New Age authors]] [[Category:New Thought writers]]'