I
have
a soul
brother
who is a
Native American
shaman. He invited
me to come to Washington
to meet a tribal medicine man
named Yellowhawk who has successfully
treated PTSD for Vietnam vets. I spent a day
talking with Yellowhawk and he decided he would
like to perform a sweat lodge in my honor. We set
it up for the next day. A sweat lodge is a large air tight
dome that will hold about a half dozen people or so. Rocks
are heated outside in an open fire, carried inside and water
is poured over them to create steam. It works. The lodge is
appropriately named. There were about six other Native Americans
in the lodge with me. There was a large central sweat lodge ceremony
taking place simultaneously with ours in Canada. The master sweat
was being conducted my Yellowhawk's son who was the Grand Chief
of the Canadian Sioux Nation. They were communicating telepathically.
They sang chants and played drums. Then Yellowhawk told me it was
time for my part in the ceremony. He told me this was very powerful
medicine and I was to not open my eyes. He was chanting and I
could hear him moving about but I kept my eyes closed.
I felt a literal shock in my spine that forced me sit
up straight. I was then told to open my eyes.
Yellowhawk said that he, the Grand Chief
and the elders had seen all of my actions
and experiences in the Vietnam War.
They I was a great man and they then invited
me to be adopted into the Sioux Nation. I accepted.
They gave me the Sioux name of Wambali Iskma which in
English means "Eagles Wing". I did actually feel many freedoms
from my PTSD for months following the ceremony. I am very grateful
and honored by everyone involved who felt I was worthy of
such a great honor. I will never forget it. Thank you.
