The sweat lodge is an Aboriginal ceremony of renewal and purification. It is a powerful tool for freeing your body, mind, and spirit from negativity. A group of people is seated in a circle in a small, round, dark structure with a central pit. A ritual is carried out in which stones are heated and placed in the lodge. A small fire can also be made. Four herbs (tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass and) are combined to make what is called a “smudge.” When burnt, they produce smoke that is believed to carry prayers to the Creator. Spirits are summoned with songs to hear the prayers of those attending. As you pray for help and health, you let go of fear, anger, and hurt. Sweat lodges have been organized specifically for people with HIV.
Affirmations and visualization (guided imagery) and AIDS Treatment
No one doubts that a positive attitude is a vital part of healing. An affirmation is a statement of something you want to happen. Some examples of positive affirmations are: “I am strong and healthy,” “I love myself,” “I am capable of making positive medical decisions,” and “All hands that touch me are healing hands.” Visualization (guided imagery) is one way of developing positive thinking that has become popular with some HIV-positive people and people who have cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. A long-standing practice in many cultures, visualization is now well known in North America, partly because of the work of people like O. Carl Simonton, author of Getting Well Again, and Bernie Siegal, author of Love, Medicine and Miracles.In visualization, you make pictures or images in your head of how you would like yourself to be, or ways in which you would like to improve your health. Anyone can do it, all you need to do is use your imagination and believe in your own inner strength. Visualization can help you relax and give you a sense of participating in your own healing. It’s also thought to make your immune system work better.
Many people use cassette tapes (like those made by Dr. Emmett Miller, Shakti Gawain, Louise Hay, and others) to guide their visualizations.
