| The knowledge embodied in the Sweet Medicine SunDance
Path is taught in the context of the Red Lodge Longhouse
Program. Red Lodge is a structured educational program
that takes students through the first three gateways,
or levels of learning, of the path. Red Lodge Longhouse is a four year program. Each year builds on the previous years, and has its own distinctive flavor and focus. Students commit to one year at a time, and
are guided by experienced instructors who are dedicated
to this path and have spent decades studying it.
The teachings of Red Lodge progress as follows:
YEAR 1 introduces the circular paradigm
of the wheels and keys that hold the teachings of the
Sweet Medicine SunDance path. Using these wheels and
keys, we learn about our connection with the universe
and all forms of life, and how to identify and change
our unproductive behavioral patterns.
YEAR 2 focuses on our physical selves
and what makes us tick. We learn how our personality
and character structures work, and how the molding of
our youth conditions us to behave in certain ways. In
addition, we study the energies associated with the
human body.
YEARS 3 and 4 introduce and delve deeply into the Healing Paradigm
of the Twisted Hairs, a sophisticated set of teachings
that help us identify the causes of illness. We learn
how to apply these teachings in healing ourselves and
others, and how to use them in addressing other life
challenges.
The Red Lodge experience is also rich in ceremony,
which helps students integrate the teachings and accelerate
their personal growth. Each of the first three gateways
includes ten ceremonies, many of which are done on a
solitary basis out in nature. Once a year, Red Lodge
students camp out together in nature for a full week
to devote themselves to ceremony.
One of the joys of Red Lodge is that it brings you
together with like-minded people from many walks of
life. The Red Lodge community, students and teachers
alike, is made up of people who are dedicated to reaching
for their highest potential. Many of them study this
path in conjunction with other spiritual traditions. |
