The specific meaning and symbolism of sweat lodge seems to differ among various Indian tribes. For example, Lakota Indians believe that the sweat lodge is representative of the mother's womb. But the universal meaning seems to point in the direction of spiritual renewal, release of toxins and all that is not wanted, prayer to our ancestors, and ultimately purification of mind, body, and spirit.

I love sweat lodge. In July, I endured 4 rounds of a ceremony which included about 30 people huddled together around burning rocks in a small hut. (In this case 4 rounds ended up being 4 hours) The 4 rounds included Tulalap prayer, and prayer in Bengali, Aramaic, Hebrew, and English. We prayed to our grandfathers and all our relations while letting the pure heat wash over us. I loved the global experience of sweat lodge and now hope to do it at least once or twice a year. It now seems like a must for those who deal with the daily grind of New York City life. In sweat lodge, I left the internet, my cell phone, and my propensity to overwork behind. Most importantly, I left the ego's tendency to overanalyze everything and just let myself be.

It was in the darkness of sweat lodge that I got in touch with my true essence, relinquishing the ego's needs and learning how to be fully present in the moment. It was the heat of the burning rocks that washed away unwanted toxins and gave me a long overdue sense of renewal. It was the sound of group prayer that allowed my fears to leave me and to remind me that I am not alone. And ultimately it was the dirt floor underneath me that restored my connection to the earth and renewed any sense of humility that I might have lost along the way.

I recommend sweat lodge truly as an experience of a lifetime.

Built by the Oneida Indian Nation with the Oglala and Lakota Sioux tribes of South Dakota, the closest sweat lodge to New York City is just four hours away at Turning Stone in Verona, NY.