Whenever some period of time has passed after a sweat lodge, the memory of the experience fades, and I think back and decide that the next one won’t be so bad, won’t be as intense.

Three days ago we finally initiated our first sweat lodge as a whole group, the first ceremony in this lodge that we spent a few months building. And man, was it intense. At least I didn’t pass out this time, but the ceremony was three hours long, an hour longer than it usually is. We all had some very strong, though quite different, experiences. It helped us to cleanse, helped us to heal, helped break down the ego boundaries that usually keep our perceptions locked into a certain place. I, for one, was glad to have it, and look forward with some anticipation and trepidation for the next one.

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The seasons are changing, and we’ve made the move up to winter camp. In contrast with summer camp, which has several small wigwams without insulation, winter camp has two large insulated lodges — one built into the hillside and insulated entirely with peat moss, the other with both sphagnum and peat moss sandwiched between two layers of birch bark — and a lean-to.

It started snowing sporadically today — when I woke up, the trees were covered with a light dusting of snow. Mosquitoes are definitely a distant memory. For me, this has been an amazing few months, since returning from my trip home. I’ve been going nonstop, doing ilttle things, and taking pleasure in being outside all the time. I’ve never had more energy. It’s paradise here now.

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