James Arthur Ray Begins Trial for Sweat Lodge Deaths

Over a year and a half after "Spiritual Warrior" James Arthur Ray led a fatal sweat lodge, the New Age author is finally about to begin trial for manslaughter. According to the Associated Press , jury selection will begin today-- Wednesday, Feb. 16-- for Ray's alleged homicide of three followers.

James Arthur Ray's legal troubles began on Oct. 8, 2009, when he hosted a "spiritual journey" retreat at the Angel Valley Retreat Center near his home town of Sedona, Ariz.. Participants paid nearly $10,000 in exchange for a promise of spiritual enlightenment.

The retreat began with 36 hours of fasting with no food or water. Participants were then left alone in the desert with a sleeping bag and no other amenities. After breaking their fast with a large meal, the vision quest continued at a sweat lodge.

Already severely dehydrated, Ray's followers entered the sweat lodge expecting an enlightening experience. Several asked to leave, but Ray admonished them for spiritual weakness and asked them to stay inside.

The exercise ended tragically-- 20 participants were hospitalized with severe burns, dehydration, breathing difficulties, kidney failure and high fevers.

Two of Ray's devoted fans died at the scene, while another passed away after a week in a coma. Seventeen surviving attendees required extensive medical treatment for burns and dehydration.

For several days, Ray avoided contact with authorities or the media. He deleted tweets from the previous week, several of which had referred to death. He fled Arizona and stated that he was too deep in prayer to speak to police or to the families of the deceased.

During an interview with the Associated Press a week later, Ray announced that he had spoken with the ghosts of the deceased, and that they were "having so much fun in the afterlife." He also sent a half-refund to the families of one of his deceased clients.

Although Ray's behavior seems insincere and strangely unapologetic, it's still to be decided if he is guilty of murder or manslaughter. Ray's deleted tweets referencing death have raised several eyebrows, but they do not directly point to intentional murder. His guilt for manslaughter will depend entirely on expert opinions regarding the safety of sweat lodges, long-term fasting and other measures involved in Ray's "spiritual retreats."

James Arthur Ray's participants did engage in the activity willingly. And, although he did not force or threaten them into complying with his exercises, he did insult those who tried to back out of the retreat. It is unclear if Ray was fully aware of the dangers of sweat lodges. The Lakota Nation, which is suing Ray for impersonating Indians, violating the Sioux Treaty of 1868, has already pointed out several routine safety practices that Ray failed to enforce. For example, traditional sweat lodges are never pursued on a full stomach or without access to water

Regardless of the outcome for James Arthur Ray's trial, the sweat lodge event should stand as an example to those who might follow the teachings of self-proclaimed spiritual gurus. While we each hold our own key to spiritual enlightenment, it is inherently dangerous to blindly follow the teachings of any singe spiritual guide.

Source Used:

KWST News- Jury selection begins in Arizona Sweat lodge case. (Associated Press)- 2/16/11 5:14 AM ET

CBS News- Sweat Lodge Death Investigation Turns to Self-Help Guru James Arthur Ray. (CBS News/Associated Press) 10/12/0910:20 AM ET