Gentle Tiger Acupuncture

I’ve had more than a handful of requests in regard to another class on this topic. I am working on it and will keep you posted.  For now check out my reply to Tracy who was concerned about discerning the difference between herself and her power animal. It’s posted under “Metaphysical/Shamanic” after the April 4, 2009 blog about “Meeting your spirit guides and power animals”.

Greetings true believers and carriers of faith, the inspiration that infuses this blog was fired up by my friend Michelle and her great question a month or so ago about whether or not a sweat  is a desirable place for one to open up access to psychic doors or close issues that need to be laid to rest. I believe that both of these items of spiritual endeavor are approachable in a sweatlodge during a sweat, but indirectly.  

     In his book, Mother Earth Spirituality, Ed McGaa Eagle Man gives a brief overview that sums it up nicely, “the Inipi (Sweat Lodge Ceremony) has been used as a cleansing and a preparatory ceremony. It is like a spiritual sauna; one feels reborn, renewed and strengthened through the commingling of one’s own lifeblood (sweat) with the lifeblood of the planet. These commingled waters are carried forth out of the lodge by the four winds, the four directions. The lodge itself allows a special closeness to Mother Earth.”

     A participant in the sweat lodge ceremony reaches a trance-like state of spiritual elevation in a sweat lodge, despite being crouched over and close to the ground, which puts us closer to Mother Earth.  There is a taking of turns where a participant can speak his mind and offer up his prayers to Father Sky.

     The whole tradition of sweat lodge is full of meaning from the choosing of the 7 willow trees brought in to bend over in order to provide a strong but flexible skeleton for the sweatlodge frame to the exiting of the sweat lodge after the ceremony.

     My own personal experience of the sweat lodge was ecstatic and meaningful for me. I was brought in by my teacher, friend and colleage Diane in order to participate in a sweat. The leader’s name was Thomas and his spirits resided in thunder. He was friendly as was his wife, whose name I cannot remember, but food was prepared to provide the strength to endure. I met a few of Thomas’ friends who were also there to participate. There was a friendliness, a community if you will that seemed instant. I felt that I belonged there.

     Without giving away too much detail of our particular ceremony, everything that I’d read about up until that point about sweatlodges, proved to be true. It was an amazing experience. I’ve spoken with others about their experiences in the sweat lodge and found that the ingredients really need to be right. It’s a powerful, yet delicate process. Without knowing why, but feeling certain about it, I absolutely trusted Thomas with my safety. In my opinion, it’s crucial that this aspect is present. He leads the prayer, directs the direction of the circle, pours the water on the fire, etc. If you don’t feel comfortable for whatever reason, don’t do it. I’ve learned this from other people that spoke to less than pleasant overall experiences in the sweat due to this fact. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong for everyone present, just for you. With trust in your sweat leader, everything else will fall into place.  

     So, to answer Michelle’s question, there is a spiritual door opening aspect to the sweat lodge ceremony, but I also take what I’ve experienced and liken it to going to church, you enter, you bow down before those powers that support you and are infinitely bigger than you, you give praise and thanks and express humility and gratitude for all you have and ask for help with those things that make us uniquely human. And laying to rest issues is definitely included in these activities.

     And then from a completely biological standpoint, the negative ions that are released with the steam from a sweat can help to release toxins, help with respiratory issues, move fluid through your lymph system, move out skin problems, moisturize your skin, etc.  but I feel that’s a secondary motive when I participate in a sweat and not something I really think about during that actual ceremony.

     There is one more thing I’d like to pass on about the sweat ceremony – I prefer a small group of people – There were 6 of us in my sweat and we were all very close to each other. I’ve heard of sweats where people were standing and spread out in the dark. It seems to me that it loses some of its focus, concentration, power and significance when it loosens up physically (people not right next to each other, able to stand, etc.) I strongly recommend you keep the group small and the sweat lodge small and the grounding, focus and experience will be the exact opposite, powerful, expansive and fulfilling.

Hello true believers, I have this super quick post for you so that you can mark your calendars and plan to attend the psychic attack lecture. Included topics in this category are:

1. What is psychic attack?

2. How to protect against psychic attack

3. How to recognize psychic attack

4. How to clear psychic attack.

The date and time are thus: 9 a.m. until 10:15. Saturday June 27, 2009 in Suite 250 at the Quarry Arts Building (aka the Gentle Tiger Acupuncture office) There are only 10 spots available.

Please rsvp at info@gentletigeracupuncture.com thank you – Miguel

Hey all! - I am already planning the next talk topic in regard to spirit work. It’s about how to recognize, remove and defend against psychic attack. Sometimes we are psychically attacked on purpose, but I believe that for most, in this busy crowded world that we live in it’s mostly accidental on the giver’s part as well as the receiver’s. Stay tuned for more details.

The talk will happen on Saturday April 25th at 9 a.m. at Gentle Tiger Acupuncture in the Quarry Arts Bldg, right off University Avenue on Hill Street. The suite number is 250 (on the second floor)

Greetings, I have met several people in my practice who have asked me about getting  in contact with their spirit guides (sg) and/or power animals (pa). I keep thinking about holding a little talk in my Quarry Arts office in regard to this matter, because it’s important to know your spirit guides and power animals, especially if you thinking about or currently are working/walking in the world of spirit. It’s a big place and it’s good to have your team that knows the terrain much better than you, included in this team can be anywhere from 1-2 sg/pa up to hundreds…don’t worry, you probably won’t encounter and work with 100 spirit guides if you’re new to shamanic practice. I personally have about 6-10, but I think even as I write this I will probably be meeting more soon to help me as I begin to instruct about spirit work.

A few notes for you about meeting your “peeps” (that’s what I call my group of spirit guides/power animals).

1. If they are truly on your team, there is nothing to fear, quite the contrary – they are here to help in ways that you can’t even imagine.

2. If you are currently talking with them, but the answers you’re getting aren’t as clear as you’d like, maybe your questions are not as succinct as they could be. Simply put, if your question is vague, the answer will carry the same energy, thus it will be vague, If your question is clear with specific details, your answer will be the same. – ex: I’d like to know a better way to meet people that are empathic (vague) vs. “I’d like to know exactly where I can go in my town to meet people that are empathic like me and are looking to meet me, because I am empathic, too.  (more specific)

3. If you hear voices others don’t, see things others don’t, understand things that it seems you couldn’t possibly, don’t worry – it’s real and you’re not alone.

4. Be respectful, you’re looking to create a relationship, if you’re careless with your questions or demanding, these energies do not go over well with spirit and will probably result in zero or unintelligible responses.

Okay, I know that those of you who have already spoken to me will sign up. Remember it’s first come first serve, so sign up right away. There are only 10 slots, the talk is free. Donations are optional.  I don’t know how long it will take to fill up the slots, but don’t hesitate because I have a feeling this will fill up quickly.

thank you ever so much – Miguel

p.s. I will get back to you in the next few days about the EXACT date/time.

This page is for those of you who know that I like/live to discuss ideas, concepts, themes, etc. outside of the norm of everyday life. It’s a forum where less apparent topics come to the surface to be expressed and shared. Topics will include zero point field, quantam physics, energy medicine, healing with energy medicine, shamanic concepts/practices such as soul retrieval, drumming, journeying, power animals, the afterlife, working with allies, the power of joy and appreciation, perception (in general), angels, etc. I am very excited to open this up to you and learn from you. I will do my part to maintain, update and contribute freely everything I know in order to support you in your endeavors. thank you – Miguel