James Arthur Ray Arrested, Charged with Manslaughter in Sedona Sweat Lodge Deaths
James Arthur Ray arrested, charged with manslaughter.
James Arthur Ray was arrested yesterday and charged with 3 counts of manslaughter in connection with the sweat lodge deaths that occurred at a spiritual retreat back in October. Three people died and many others suffered various degrees of distress during a sweat lodge ceremony that took place near the end of a James Ray event in Sedona, AZ.
I’ve shared several postings about this story as important developments took place and watched as this bizarre tragedy unfolded. But I found myself having mixed reactions to the news of James Ray’s arrest.
Much like some readers, I am happy that the legal system is moving forward, taking action, and trying to solve this difficult situation. The victims and their families deserve nothing less.
But at the same time I can’t help but to feel sorry for James Ray. I’ve never attended a James Ray workshop or event, but I have developed a respect for the man and his teachings. What he espouses is very much in line with my own work – which makes it difficult to understand how he ended up in this situation.
My biggest question, and one that many others share, is this: Did James live and act in harmony with what he teaches? In other words, he’s been talking the talk, but did he walk the walk? It’s one thing to talk and teach about personal power and responsibility and another to actually live that way.
I don’t want to get caught up in the legal issues of the case, there will be enough of that all over the web and other media, but I do think that it is important for each of us to pay attention to this tragedy because there is a lesson in here that can help us avoid similar situations in our own lives.
Taken by itself the incident seems to be a case of misplaced personal responsibility, of not knowing your own limits and not knowing when to get out. People make mistakes in judgment every day, and sometimes it costs them dearly.
But is that the case here? There are too many unanswered questions, too many discrepancies between accounts from survivors and from James Ray. Too many past incidents.
You can read the details of his arrest here: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/spiritual-leader-james-ray-arrested-sweat-lodge-deaths/
What do you think?
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Listen Mister Baptist Hair,
I am hurt and pissed about how you act like you care about James Ray, but I can tell that you do not. He is my hero and I would not be where I am today without his inspiration. Spiritually speaking he is on the right side and you are not. This man did not kill anyone. I hope there is a GOD of vengeance who balances the scales, and all the governments, police, law idiots, and people like you who don’t have a spiritual clue about squat! Why don’t you get off the air!
There is an evil on this earth right now called government and statutory commercial law that is going to also destroy you and me as well as James Ray!
You had better wake up! would you trade places with James tonight while he is hurting in a jail cell? I know his spirit, and he be held upright in the end!
May God have mercy if there is a GOD!
You think about it!
@ Dennis Jospeh Halsey:
Thanks for the comments Dennis. I too hope that James Ray makes it through this. In my post I stated my respect for the man, I simply asked readers to consider whether he was walking his talk. Seems like a fair question. I also respect you for embracing his teachings, they have had a profound effect on many people. If they have helped you, that is great! But… at some point you have to see that there is a wide gap between what he teaches and his actions since October. Heroes are fine, I just have a problem with people blindly following the pied piper.
And I have to comment on your God references, first you say, “I hope there is a GOD of vengeance…” then you end with “May God have mercy if there is a GOD!”, you sound confused over God’s role in this. Is she supposed to strike vengeance upon us or have mercy upon us? Or aren’t you sure of the existence of God? As for me, the God I believe in is pouring love and healing into everyone involved in this tragedy. Those willing to accept that love and healing will be able to move on.
You are right about one thing though, I’m pretty sure the government is going to destroy us all in the end.
(and are you making fun of my hair? that must mean I’m becoming famous like Donald Trump!)
Indeed Ray did NOT walk his talk. This is not the first time that he has ignored the pleas from his clients/students and negative results have occurred. I myself have used Angel Valley for leading workshops; I am familiar with the sweat lodge area. And I was trained by Cherokee and Lakota in how to conduct a proper ceremonial sweat. Ray did NONE of that. Eyewitness reports -and believe me there were many – all indicated that he overextended the number allowed in the sweat, that he did not adhere to minimal safety rules governing leading a sweat, and that he ignored pleas for help from the folks inside the sweat. This is definitely NOT walking your talk.
I feel sorry not only for the people whose lives were lost, but for the others who were so blindsided by the man’s ego that they could not say “NO, enough!’ and protect themselves. Yes, Ray was responsible… and so were the people who allowed themselves to be swayed by a guru.
In this country we have forgotten how to take responsibility for who we are and how we act. It’s always someone else’s fault, or someone else who will save the day, or someone else who caused the problem. Until we can stand on our own two feet and walk in harmony and balance, what the Navajo call “hozho”, we will be subject to false gods and gurus.
@ CaliShaman:
I think the problem is that we have come to associate ‘responsibility’ with ‘blame’. So even when we look at ourselves we look with a ‘blame’ attitude rather than one of ‘responsibility’. And it is important to note that no matter how many books you’ve read or how many seminars you’ve attended or how enlightened or advanced you feel… the truth about your real being comes out in moments of crisis or decision.
If YOU hire a catering crew to cater your party and three people die of food poisoning, YOU SHOULD NOT GO TO JAIL! The caterers should go to jail!
You think you know so much, eh. Well then:
“The rumor: James Ray and his team constructed the sweat lodge
The fact:
The contract between Angel Valley and JRI specifically required Angel Valley to provide, as part of the 2009 Retreat package, a “Sweat Lodge able to support 75 participants prepared and available based on JRI schedule.” Angel Valley also provided 100 grandfather stones for the ceremony.
Angel Valley constructed this particular sweat lodge in 2008. Yavapai County records contain no building permit for the sweat lodge. It is unclear whether Angel Valley was obligated to obtain such a permit or whether any other sweat lodge in Yavapai County possesses a permit.
We understand that Angel Valley employed a local man of Native American background to build the sweat lodge. The evidence shows that he constructed the lodge in accordance with his traditions and specified the type of materials to be used. The wooden frame was made out of bent branches and saplings. Two employees of Angel Valley at the time, Ted and Debbie Mercer, and another man named Brian Hitchcock performed the actual construction work and obtained the blankets and plastic tarps used as coverings. The contract between Angel Valley and JRI specifically required Angel Valley to provide, as part of the 2009 Retreat package, a “Sweat Lodge able to support 75 participants prepared and available based on JRI schedule.” Angel Valley also provided 100 grandfather stones for the ceremony.”
http://jamesray.com/sedona/
@ LeeKuan:
Thanks for the comments! Yep, that’s what it said… but I understand your point… There is still a lot to be resolved in this tragedy.