By now, most people know that in his so-called “sweat lodge,” James Arthur Ray disrespectfully borrowed traditional Native American sacred practices for use in his endurance boot camp, in order to produce “abundance” in the gullible participants. Two of those participants died. Like many, I feel sad for the families of the victims, and agree that it’s appropriate for the legal system to hold Ray accountable. But it’s a mistake to dismiss Ray as just one “bad apple.” Why? because he exemplifies a bona-fide risk for spiritual seekers. Until people can learn to distinguish between spiritual authority and authoritarianism, and between spirituality and spiritual materialism, some will fall prey to charismatic individuals, like James Arthur Ray. Read More→