It’s finally over! Two years after he was found responsible for the deaths of three young adults in a Sedona sweat lodge ceremony James Arthur Ray was sentenced to a two-year prison term and ordered rate to pay $57,000 in restitution to the families of the three victims.
The victims’ families did not feel as if justice had been served. American Indians at the sentencing expressed outrage at this misuse of their sacred ceremonies.
Ray was hoping he wouldn’t have to serve any prison time, his lawyers said he had no prior criminal record, was a man of good character, and did community service. James Ray addressed the jury and the relatives of his victims asking forgiveness and promising never to conduct a sweat lodge or any other physically dangerous activity again. He said not a single day passed that he didn’t re-live the moments of that night, asking himself what he could have done differently…” I just didn’t know. I didn’t know that anyone was dying or in distress. I wish to God I would have. I would’ve stopped immediately”.
He still doesn’t get it; he wants to be forgiven for his ignorance that was responsible for the deaths of these 3 young people. Ray didn’t say… I knew I had no training or expertise to be taking these people lives in my hands, I am a great pretender.
Ray just settled civil lawsuits with the families of his victims for $3 million; which his insurers paid. I thought they should have garnered his earnings for as long as lived. James Arthur Ray will get out of jail in two years, and like all pretenders he will be hard to keep off the market, Ray will come out of jail with a book and a movie deal about everything he’s learned, and find a way to make more money than he ever has….The Great Pretender
James Arthur Ray’s “sweat lodge” case resonates with me on many levels. We all know that doctors, lawyers, therapists, even merchandisers have websites that post testimonies of satisfied customers. But what about the dissatisfied customers? What about potential customers? Where do they go?
Dr. Hammerschlag, or anyone reading this, do you know if there is a website “clearinghouse”/registry where…
(1) someone may go to report alternative therapists, practitioners, consultants, shamans/shamanic teachers/practitioners, life coaches, healers, intuitives, psychics, astrologers, spiritual guides, channels, or the like, whose advertised services did not measure up to expectations and/or the claims they made so that…
(2) someone who is considering engaging such services may find out about them in advance?
I think this is an idea whose time has come. Don’t you? This would be something like the types of nationwide registries that are already in place, such as those for lawyers, doctors, etc. This, however, would pertain specifically to the list mentioned above for the purpose of (1) providing a reporting mechanism for those who need one in order to (2) inform and forewarn unsuspecting vulnerable people in need of help beyond what is available in the mainstream.
Your reply and/or suggestions are welcome…
Dear Soulful Lady
I think a clearinghouse/registry of peoples experiences with healers of every description is a great idea. I would certainly post my thoughts on James Ray if there were such a mechanism but I have no interest in organizing it.
Dear Dr. Hammerschlag… we all have our place in the circle; others who are skillful and qualified to organize this clearinghouse/registry will arise… its just good to know that you agree with the concept and will contribute your thoughts when the time comes. If you know of others who might be interested at any level, please refer them to me. I’d appreciate it. Thank you! Aho!
Nice idea! It would also be something to have the practitioner be able to give a reply to the “report.” For example, there is a woman with schitzophrenia that has gone to every shamanic practitioner that she knows of in the area (thankfully, not me) for help, but is unable to get what she wants because she is mentally ill. A report from someone like that is not reliable, and it would not be fair to let it stand unchallenged.
I agree, frauds are frauds. We have a guy promoting Reiki in my area, but he’s not trained in the kind of Reiki he is promoting. I would love to expose him, but instead will just let him be known by his reputation – which people find out about after the fact. Word does get around.
On the other hand, much of what you’re wanting to report about is in regards to some kind of emotional or spiritual healing, or a practice that doesn’t have “hard science” or a school with recognized standards to comply with. If someone doesn’t get what they’re after it could possibly be because the seeker is resistant. Everything isn’t necessarily the healers fault, just like not being able to cure a disease isn’t always the doctors fault.
Very good post. I’m facing some of these issues as well..
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