Reports of Transpersonal Experiences by NonNative Practitioners of the Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony: A Critical Appraisal
Whit Hibbard
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2007 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2007.26.1.18 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Experienced non-native practitioners of the Native American sweat lodge ceremony |
| Key findings | Practitioners interpreted their transpersonal experiences as trustworthy interactions with a spiritual reality, did not seriously consider alternative explanations, and neglected to reflect critically on the sweat lodge ceremony as a spiritual practice. |
Abstract
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.