Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


12

Survivor: Days of Fasting Before Sweat Lodge Disaster

Self-help guru James Arthur Ray ignored pleas to help those collapsing

Share

(Newser) – Participants in the fatal Oct. 8 sweat-lodge ceremony had already been through five days of fasting and sleep deprivation, a survivor says—and the self-help guru leading the proceedings saw their gasping, vomiting and fainting as signs of weakness and urged them to push on through it. No charges have been brought against James Arthur Ray by Arizona authorities, but Beverly Bunn’s interview with the AP hints that they have damning evidence.

“I can’t get her to move. I can’t get her to wake up,” Bunn recalls hearing of one of the 50 participants. “Leave her alone, she’ll be dealt with in the next round,” was Ray’s alleged response. Bunn, 43 also says no drugs or alcohol were used in the ceremony, and that nobody was physically forced to stay: “It was all about mind over matter, you're stronger than your body.”

This picture shows the road leading to the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Sedona, Ariz.
This picture shows the road leading to the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Sedona, Ariz.   (AP Photo)
This undated photo provided by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office shows a
This undated photo provided by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office shows a "sweatbox" structure at Angel Valley resort in Sedona, Ariz.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

These people, including myself were really just searching for a better way to live and a better life. And I commend us for that. - Beverley Bunn, sweat lodge survivor

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
12 comments
VIEWING:
 
RobN
Oct 21, 09 7:16 PM CDT
Darwin. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
DeniseVB
Oct 21, 09 7:21 PM CDT
Ditto.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
OWLWOMANXXXX
Oct 21, 09 7:42 PM CDT
It was a ceremony used by Native Americans,Vikings and Celts for centuries....They knew it was dangerous but learned correct procedures through trial and error.....maybe those poor souls should have seeked out more experienced practitioners if they wanted to do this........mmmmmmmmmmmsad but stupid....the first thing those ancient rites teacn is to know and listen to your body Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
newzjunkie
Oct 22, 09 5:32 AM CDT
Exactly, the native americans knew what they were doing, and they didn't put giant tarps over their "sweat lodges", they were all natural and could breathe. This guy deserves to die. He thought he knew more than God. People don't get "stronger" going through that kind of dangerous, stupid stunt. I think they actually have to be very weak and searching for help, but are putting their own lives in the hands of a maniac.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
easterner
Oct 21, 09 7:43 PM CDT
that nobody was physically forced to stay: OH REALLY !! Maybe this just might have something to do with it ..."already been through five days of fasting and sleep deprivation," Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 12 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

6 Stories

 Guru Twittered About 
 Sweat Lodge Death 

But a source close to James Arthur Ray says this is common imagery

Oct 30, 09 10:31 AM CDT
(Newser) - James Arthur Ray, who yesterday canceled his upcoming appearances to devote all his "physical and emotional energies" to the fallout from the sweat lodge tragedy, talked a lot about death in the days leading up to the ceremony. His Twitter feed was full of posts that have since been... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death • New Age • self-help • deaths • Twitter • James Arthur Ray • sweat lodge • Sedona • Angel Valley Retreat Center

 People Still Signing Up 
 for Guru's Sweat Lodges 

James Arthur Ray is out recruiting, and audiences are buying, despite deaths

Oct 22, 09 5:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - James Arthur Ray has hardly missed a beat since three people died in one of his sweat lodge ceremonies two weeks ago: The self-help guru is back on the road peddling his workshops, and many members of his audience seem unfazed by the deaths. "When you're pushing the limits,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death • self-help • deaths • James Arthur Ray • sweat lodge • sweat lodge survivor

 Third Sweat-Lodge Victim Dies 

Minnesota woman was longtime follower of self-help guru

Oct 18, 09 6:01 AM CDT
(AP) - A Minnesota woman became the third fatality yesterday in an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony that hospitalized nearly two dozen people. Liz Neuman, 49, died at a Flagstaff hospital after suffering multiple organ damage during the Oct. 8 ceremony at a resort near Sedona. Authorities were treating all three deaths as... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Arizona • homicide • New Age • self-help • James Arthur Ray • sweat lodge • Sedona • sweat lodge survivor

6 Stories


Crime & Courts  •  Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
drugs • alcohol • Arizona • sleep deprivation • fasting • James Arthur Ray • sweat lodge • Sedona • Angel Valley Retreat Center • Beverley Bunn • sweat lodge survivor

from our news partners