Reports of Transpersonal Experiences by Non-Native Practitioners of the Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony: A Critical Appraisal

Interviews with 30 experienced non-native practitioners of the Native American sweat lodge ceremony revealed 184 reports of transpersonal experiences. Interview questions sought to (a) disclose how practitioners discern or critique their own experiences, (b) consider alternative explanations for practitioners’ experiences, and (c) critically reflect on the sweat lodge ceremony per se as a spiritual practice. It was found that practitioners generally (a) interpreted their experiences as trustworthy interactions with a spiritual reality, (b) did not seriously consider alternative explanations for their experiences, and (c) neglected to reflect critically on the sweat lodge ceremony per se as a spiritual practice