In Native American traditions, it is said that when we heal our lives, we heal seven generations forward and seven generations back.
Among the numerous sacred ceremonies within these traditions, the Yuwipi ceremony of the Lakota Native American Indian tradition stands as one of my most powerful experiences of spiritual healing and transformation. Although I attended the ceremony many years ago, I felt compelled to share its powerful healing essence with you.
Chief Richard Grimes, son of Peace Prize nominee Mary Elizabeth Thunder, led a mesmerizing, Great Spirit (Source)-inspired Yuwipi ritual for a gathering of 30 to 40 people in the serene Appalachian Mountains. The primary intention was to heal five individuals afflicted with severe illnesses. This sacred event embodied the unity of purpose, spiritual intention, and the deep connections between all participants.
Sacred Preparations
Preparation is a vital aspect of the Yuwipi ceremony, where the afflicted—those seeking healing—and their supporters come together in a sacred, welcoming space. As a supporter, I joined in this process, where every detail was steeped in reverence and intention.
We dedicated hours to prayer and focus, crafting “little prayer people” or spirits woven into tobacco prayer ties. Each tie was imbued with thoughts of love, healing, and abundance, serving as a sacred bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. These ties became vessels of our collective intentions, symbolizing unity and the shared purpose of supporting those in need on their healing journey.
It is said that during the ceremony, Spirit moves through the prayer ties, guided by the sacred herb tobacco, to answer the prayers within. This connection to the spirit world carries immense power, and one must approach it with care and clarity, knowing that their prayers and intentions hold the potential to manifest in the physical world.
The Sweat Lodge Experience
As night fell, the ceremony moved to the sweat lodge, or Inipi, a space of purification for body, mind, and soul. Purification was meant to clean our bodies of toxins, rid our minds of negativities, and heighten our spirits to come into the right relationship with ourselves and everything that surrounded us. Each participant was smudged with white sage, inhaling the sacred herb’s purifying essence.
We entered the lodge on hands and knees, symbolizing humility. I crawled along the walls of the lodge in clockwise motion until I found a comfortable sitting place. Soon, the entryway was sealed. Large, red-hot stones glowed with light and radiated intense heat as water from a tin bucket was poured over them to create purifying steam. Chief Richard’s intense prayer requests to Great Spirit and the rhythmic drumming played inside by other spiritual elders resonated deeply, creating a connection with Source.
Through three rounds of prayers and songs, I experienced a profound shift. Tears streamed down my face as I surrendered to the presence of Great Spirit, feeling an intense purification and baptism of water and fire. By the end of the sweat lodge experience, the participants emerged renewed, their spirits lifted by the collective prayers and unity.
Entering the Yuwipi Ceremony
After the sweat lodge, the Yuwipi ceremony began in a sacred, candle-lit room. The windows were draped in black cloth to eliminate outside moonlight. Chief Richard, the spiritual interpreter, served as the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. He was ceremonially bound and wrapped in a star quilt before being placed face-down on a bed of sage. His prayers opened the doorway for Great Spirit, and the spirit world of ancestors, spirit guides, and animal guides to enter, assisting in healing and transformation.
All the candlelights were extinguished, plunging the space into darkness. The room filled with the sound of ancient songs, rattles, and drumming. In this space, I felt transported. Visions of ancestors, luminous symbols, and spiritual masters of the ages filled my mind. Each spirit’s presence brought profound sensations—a cool breeze, a sense of warmth, or a touch that transcended physical boundaries—ushering us into a realm of extraordinary, supersensory experiences.
Witnessing Healing and Transformation
The spirits worked fervently, focusing their healing energy on those present. By the end of the ceremony, Chief Richard shared a powerful prophecy: six individuals were healed, though only five had initially requested healing. For the first time, three lost spirits transitioned back with the ancestors to the spiritual plane, a testament to the potency of the evening’s prayers and intentions.
Participants concluded the night by drinking blessed water, smoking the sacred pipe, and sharing blessed food. These acts symbolized unity, gratitude, and the sanctity of life.
Reflections on the Ceremony
The Yuwipi ceremony illuminated the interconnectedness of life and Spirit. It demonstrated the power of collective intention and the profound transformations possible through sacred rituals. The energy, visions, and connections I experienced continue to resonate, reminding me of the infinite love and wisdom that guides us.
Da Naho Nyah Weh Swenio – It has been said. Thank you Great Mystery.
This sacred tradition offers an unparalleled opportunity for spiritual growth and healing. For more information about Yuwipi ceremonies or to learn more, visit the website Blue Star Church.
About Chief Richard Grimes
Richard is the oldest son of Mary Elizabeth Thunder. In his youth he traveled extensively with elders on the road, taking care of them, driving them, & learning to sing with & for them. He has been Sundancing since 1989. He along with his wife Starr & 6 boys, travels both inside & outside of this Turtle Island sharing his experiences, Ceremonial way of life, & Ceremonies, for the people. He was named a Peace Elder at the 1992 Wolf Song & has gone to Holland for Wolf Song. He has traveled to Australia, Holland, Mexico, & Italy. He is a maker of Pipes & one was given to the Great Hindu Saint Sathya Sai Baba & accepted to be placed his is museum of Cultures. In 1997, Chief Crow Dog, gifted the title & Bonnet of Chief to Richard, also charging him with the responsibilities as a Road Man & in doing the ceremony of Lowampi. Richard & his half side Starr, have 6 boys, Nathaniel E./Nico E./Caleb E./Richard Dakota E./Benjamin E. U-Du-Li Do-Hi (Cherokee for “He Who Wants Peace”)/ Malachi Grimes.