Are all sweat lodges based in Native American culture?
No. Native American sweat lodges are the most common and the original form of ceremonial steam bath in the United States and Canada, but there were ancient forms of lodges in Latin America, Africa, Greece, Turkey, Rome, Japan, Russian, Finland and likely other places I am not aware of. The use of a small setting of steam and darkness for physical and spiritual purification and mental clarity is a global tradition and as far as anyone can tell, its timeless. Most sweat lodges in America today are Native lodges or are based on Native styles of lodges. There certainly are non-Native lodges and interfaith lodges. Should non-Native people run lodges? No and yes. (Generally) I personally do not think or feel that non-Native people should run Native lodges. Too many Native traditions have been borrowed and stolen from Native Peoples only to be misused, sold or poorly conducted. These are very powerful and culturally sacred practices and it’s a deep act of disrespect just to “copy” the practic
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