Cleansing & Purification Weekend - The UK Firewalking Academy

Cleansing & Purification Weekend

The Firewalking Academy near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Includes the opportunity for a Sweat Lodge & Journeying

Day one runs from 1pm till 9:30pm. Day two runs from 10am till 2pm.

21st to 22nd Sept 2024

Onsite camping available

Background

Sweat lodges have been a part of many cultures for time immemorial, on every continent, but are most commonly associated with the native americans in its traditional form, and is still readily available in it’s modern incarnation… the sauna. All these different cultures and beliefs spawned their own set of traditionas and riuals, but all with one purpose at their heart… to cleanse!

Fortunately, these traditional approaches have been preserved and are still handed down today, though teachers across the globe, so that we may still enjoy them and receive the benefits they offer… not just a physical cleansing, but a emotional and spiritual purification.

Sweatlodge

All of our workshops, ceremonies and events have you at the heart of them.

What Is A Sweat Lodge?

A sweat lodge is a ceremonial structure used by various Indigenous peoples for rituals, ceremonies, and purification purposes. It is often a small, dome-shaped or partially underground hut made of natural materials such as saplings, branches, and covered with blankets or animal hides. The interior is heated by placing heated stones in a central pit.

Once inside, the door is closed providing absolute darkenesss, and the ceremony that is often described as profound and transformative, begins. The temperature is maintained through additinal heated rocks being introduced at intervals, during which the door is opened and water is sometimes passed around.

The ceremony conducted inside a sweat lodge is known as a sweat ceremony or sweat lodge ceremony. It involves a series of rituals, prayers, and purification practices led by a ceremonial leader or elder.

Participants gather in the sweat lodge to connect with the spiritual realm, seek guidance, and purify themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through sweating and intentional ceremonies.

Whilst we follow the traditions of the teachers we have spent time with, we will respect you observing your own traditions and rituals as we ask you to observe ours. If this is your first sweat lodge, you will be held and guided through the entire process, providing the ideal environment to connnect. If you have sweated previously, we encourage you immerse yourself in the powerful and transformative experience offered by the sweat lodge.

What Is Journey Work?

Shamanic Drummer in silhouette against blazing pyres

Journeying, including Shamanic journeying, has been used as a meditation, and a method of reaching a lucid dream state, connecting ourselves with our inner thoughts, ancestral teachings and with the spirit world. This powerful tool can bring about deeper understanding of ourselves and the natural environment we live in.

Journeying refers to a form of spiritual practice or technique involving altered states of consciousness to explore non-ordinary reality or the spirit world. This practice is found in many cultural and spiritual traditions.

In this state, you may embark on an inner journey, guided by intention or specific questions, to explore the realms of the subconscious, access spiritual insights, communicate with spirit guides, or seek guidance from higher powers. This can be a personal and introspective experience, allowing individuals to gain insights, healing, or guidance from their inner wisdom or spiritual allies.

It’s with respect to our ancestors and the wisdom they have left us that we offer the opportunity to share in this journeying and the opportunity to begin creating a personal relationship with the spirit realm.

Is It Right For Me?

The aim of the weekend is to provide an open space, for all to grow, cleanse and release as needed, all with respect to the teachings of our ancestor’s spiritual connection.

Day One

As a group we will start with the end in mind, preparing for entering the sweat lodge at the end of the day. This will include meditations, journey work and group sharing to help eveyone to gain clarity about their own personal reasons for entering the sweat lodge.

After we exit, we will come together as a group, allowing us the opportunity to share our experiences and the teachings we’ve received, make new friends and share in the energies of the group experience.

Day Two

Having had to the opportunity overnight to reflect on our individual experiences, we will begin the planning to take the lessons and undertandings recived back with us to whatever lies beyond the weekend.

Planning how we will integrate the new understandings and continue the practices in the days and weeks ahead help us to foresee possible distractions and understand how we will navigate them should they arise, making it easier for us to stay the course with our new found wisdom and understanding.

A sweat lodge ceremony is so much more than just the lodge itself.

Everything that we do during this experience is leading up to, or integrating what we have learnt from, the sweat lodge. Time will be spent getting to know each other so that we best serve you and your reason for attending, as well as ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and safe within the group. This is all part of the ceremony and we do this together.

After the sweat lodge we will ‘break fast’ together and share our experiences and insights gained before retiring for the night to reflect, perhaps to dream.

The opportunities to take part in the sweat lodge ceremony is optional, but no additional charge is made for this.

Please Note: You will receive a seperate email with instructions to book camping if this is required.