Arizona News Event: Sweat Lodge Deaths in Sedona

Unintentional Life-Changing Event
Last Thursday authorities recieived a 911 call from Angel Valley Retreat on Sedona's Oak Creek where two people were reported not to be breathing after participating in a recreated Native American ceremony. A structure was built similar to Native American sweat lodges that enclosed 64 adults participating in the final day of "Spiritual Warrior" a five-day program hosted by James Arthur Ray spiritual and self-help guru. Spiritual Warrior was an annual event at Angel Valley that cost nearly $10,000 dollars to attend.
Nurse Unable to Revive
Associated Press and The Arizona Republic writers contributed a thorough article describing Ray's background and the traditional Native American uses of a sweat lodge ceremony. CPR was performed on site by a hired nurse on the two victims later pronounced dead at Verde Valley Medical Center. 19 other participants were also hospitalized, four were released and one remained in critical condition at Flagstaff Medical Center as of Friday.
Indian Country spin
Another article by AP writers Felicia Fonesca (of Prescott) and Dinesh Ramde details the victims lives, Ray's reaction and how the sweat lodge ceremony was misused that could possibly explain the deaths. One victim a 38-year old woman was in great physical shape the other victim was a 40 year old man. The other nineteen hospitalized people suffered from dehydration, breathing problems, burns, elevated body temperatures and kidney failure. Ray and his staff are being investigated by Yavapai County Sheriff department to determine if the deaths were caused by criminal negligence. Sheriff Steve Waugh said that Ray would not speak to authorities and left the state.
Words that Come Back to Haunt You
The seventh Spiritual Warrior retreat rented to Ray at Angel Valley promised to "absolutely change your life." Ray's twitter account has also come under scrutiny since his last post before the deaths that read: "Still in Spiritual Warrior... for anything new to live something first must die. What needs to die in you so that new life can emerge?" That along with two other tweets were also deleted shortly after. Despite James Ray International publicist Howard Bragman declining further comment, Ray released a tweet, “My deep heartfelt condolences to family and friends of those who lost their lives,” he wrote. “I am spending the weekend in prayer and meditation for all involved in this difficult time; and I ask you to join me in doing the same.”
Misuse of Spiritual Practice
Traditional Native American uses of the sweat lodge which is basically a sauna made by heating rocks and pouring water over them do not permit more than 12 people to participate for practical reasons like possible suffocation in a hot enclosed space. 64 people in a sweat lodge is unheard of and most shocking for the Native community. Taking frequent breaks outside and drinking water are also part of the ceremony. Results of the autopsies reveal that carbon monoxide was not a cause of the deaths. The new age movement is criticized for co-opting many cultural practices and ethnic traditions for profit. Ray was no different, his website offers a sundry of culture specific practices for his guide to spiritual and personal empowerment.