Vision Quests and the Sweat Lodge

1.According to The Mishomis Book by Edward Benton-Benai the purpose and premise 
of a vision quest (Ba-wa'-ji-gay'-win) is to seek spiritual advice and direction 
and the vision will serve as a guiding light in life giving life purpose and 
direction.
2. The benefits of fasting are that with the physical side of life lessened "it 
was hoped the spiritual side would come into dominance" (Benton-Benai 1988:83).
3. One Ojibway boy traveled in spirit form straight toward the moon.
4. He went traveling through 4 colors which stand for the 4 sacred elements and the 4 levels of 
spiritual knowledge that exist above the surface of the earth.
5. The totality of the moon is that which we see and that which we do not. Life  also has 
a physical and spiritual side.
6. The boy traveled through the crescent moon and out into the star world to the lodge of the seven Grandfathers.
7. The 7 grandfathers instructed the boy on a purifying ceremony (the sweat lodge).
8. They instructed the boy to make a lodge.
9. They were to build it from the saplings of the willow tree.
10. They were to leave a tobacco offering for taking the saplings from the earth.
11. The number 4 is represented in the building of the sweat lodge with 4 doorways,
(for 4 Sacred Directions), 4 rings of willow to represent 4 levels of knowledge
above and 4 levels of knowledge below the searth.
12. The shallow pit in the center represents Mother Earth.
13. Men are responsible for gathering rocks to place in the fire, firewqood,
and women will prepare the grounds of the lodge, cleaning and building the alter and gathering Cedar
for the ceremony.
14. The process of the sweatlodge can be learned through experinece.
15. The four elements of creation are represented in the sweat lodge by water (purifying),
stones (earth), fire, wind.
16. Rebirth is represented by crawling humbly out into the world away from the rocks and crescent altar.
17. Symbolism is an important part of Ojibwe culture to remember the past and provide continuity between generations.
18. The door faces east in an Ojibway sweat unlike a Lakota sweat.
19. The Christian equivalent of the sweat is perhaps baptism with its symbolism of rebirth and immersion in purifying water.
20. According to the Teaching Rocks video
The sweat lodge is a purification process.
You bring tobacco to an elder, sweat, fast for 4 days (for the vision), sweat,
have a ceremony, and then have a feast.
The sweat lodge was created, like the rocks, by the Great Spirit. The rocks and
circle symbolize Mother Earth.
Water cleans you up. Water has spirit too. It is poured on the sweat lodge rocks.
Your mind is no longer in turmoil at peace with everything. It is the most 
wonderful feeling to have.

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