James Ray who has a mega-spirituality business that revolves around ‘wealth getting,’ held a retreat in Arizona two weeks ago. For reasons not clear, he allegedly built an ungodly large 20×20 “sweatlodge,” and purported to be copying Native American sacred practices. He crammed 50 people into that skeletal structure covered by plastic tarps, and then, with the rocks smoking hot hot steam, seemingly would not allow anyone to leave, even though they complained they were ill and could not breathe. Three persons died and 21 were hospitalized.

We talked about this at themoderatevoice, especially being bewildered about the seeming lack of sorrow, lack of decent conduct and lack of hiatus in ‘business as usual’ with regard to the dead and their families. There was amazement to hear that participants in Mr. Ray’s program had paid 9-10k per person to attend a five day retreat. Then, there was also being taken aback by the seeming crass blog post that Mr. Ray put up on his website (see below), defending his empire while giving such seeming weak shrift to, again, the dead and the injured. Some who have spiritual practices in Buddhism spoke about karma and how this strange, delayed and sub-standard response by Mr. Ray to such serious and grievous issues… might boomerang back.

Today, it was announced by Hyperion book publishers that they are postponing the publication of two books by James Arthur Ray. Publishers Weekly, the time-honored rag that follows the latest events in mostly New York publishing, said the books were being ‘postponed,’ ….”following the author’s possible involvement in the deaths of three people and hospitalization of 21 others in a sauna-like sweat lodge at an Arizona resort last month.”

Hyperion had committed to release a paperback edition of Ray’s bestselling Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want, and a new book they hoped to flog onto the best seller “advice list”, scheduled to be published in December 2009, and entitled: The Seven Laws of True Wealth by Ray.

But when the news and accusations broke on October 9, “that Ray had led a “spiritual warrior” experience at a retreat center near Sedona, Ariz. in which 50 people crowded into a makeshift structure covered with blankets and plastic and heated with fiery rocks in the hopes of a spiritual cleansing—resulting in injuries and deaths…” Hyperion made fire of their own by hitting their brakes with full weight.

As a published author, I’ve learned through sad loss of innocence, a great deal of the code used to obfuscate in the field of publishing. You think the Vatican gives covert messages? I think the cardinals learned nuanced statements from the publishing industry. When the Hyperion spokesperson, Marie Coolman, said the books have been postponed until January 2011, this means in part, that the legal department is likely suddenly going over the contracts with a fine tooth comb looking for ways to dump these projects

…publishing being put off for 15 months re a ready and roaring bestseller ‘sure thang,’ further indicates the publisher is likely not wanting to be associated with any person falling badly from grace (Think of James Frey) whom they were touting as the mini-god of getting rich…

and being particularly concerned too that the publishing company, right or wrong, could be named as an ‘accomplice’ via a lawsuit by injured or disgruntled former ‘followers’ of Mr. Ray, charging that the publisher promulgated, offering Ray as a trusted expert, as on the level…. thereby duping the public, and leading individuals into harm’s way.

Ray’s Harmonic Wealth was a New York Times bestseller on the “advice” list. Ray was a “featured expert” in the movie, The Secret, and has appeared on the Oprah show.

The story of the ‘get rich empire’ will, I believe, continue to unfold. On the one hand, I dont think in small or large endeavors one can control all variables, and surely even at the most proven expert sports courses, say tennis camp, I’ve heard there are often a full staff of doctors and nurses, for it is expected there might be injuries. So it’s not that exactly.

But, it is this: At the moment, the sheriff is still saying the deaths of the three people was not an accident, it seemingly was murder. From AP, “Arizona ….Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh… investigating the deaths of two people during a sweat lodge ceremony led by self-help expert James Arthur Ray, says the fatalities are now being investigated as homicides… He said… Thursday, that the deaths of 38-year-old Kirby Brown of Westtown N.Y. and 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee were not accidental…”

The sheriff appears to think that not allowing people to leave when they cried out that they were suffering greatly, is tantamount to abject negligence of life, and with foreknowledge that people can die from heat stroke, even when told they are strong, and to stop acting weak, and to ‘warrior up’ instead.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ray, has declined to come on CNN to tell his story. But it appears the story will be told anyway… especially by those deposed who were actually in the “sweat lodge”…. and the story will be written down in court documents which will record the stories from many sides, most often devoid of varnish or gloss.

CORRECTION: Original title to this piece stated James Arthur Ray’s middle name was August. It has now been corrected, with special thanks to Sparrow.

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CODA
Here is the most recent blog post from Mr. Ray’s website. On October 20 2009, ten days after the loss of three lives and 21 others injured, he wrote:

For me, for the families and friends of the sick and deceased and for many people who believe in the important work we do, these have been the most difficult ten days of our lives.

People are throwing out accusations and disparaging me and our mission. Yet despite that, and despite considerable criticism, I have chosen to continue with my work. It’s too important not to. One of the lessons I teach is that you have to confront and embrace adversity and learn and grow from it. I promise you I am doing a lot of learning and growing. I have taken heat for that decision, but if I chose to lock myself in my home, I am sure I would be criticized for hiding and not practicing what I preach.

It means a great deal to me that so many of you have come to see me speak this week and last–that you are investing your time and energy into creating more fulfilling, successful and productive lives. It reaffirms my decision to continue my schedule and these event experiences.

I want to use this forum to address the families of those whose lives were lost, James, Kirby and Liz. I have reached out to all of the families personally, but feel the need to say more. I feel your pain. I accept your anger. And I pray for you all to have some measure of peace and comfort. I want you to know that I too want to know what happened that caused this horrible tragedy. My team and I are working with the appropriate authorities and have even hired our own investigators to find out the truth.

I believe the best way to honor their amazing lives and everlasting memory is to continue this important work. Please join me in a moment of silence to pay homage to their lives and to pray for the speedy recovery of others taken ill.

James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International, Inc.