After injuries at his previous events, why didn’t James Arthur Ray get the message he was literally playing with fire?
Why didn’t his followers step back and begin asking questions about what he was doing?
Connie Joy’s new book, Tragedy in Sedona: My Life in James Arthur Ray’s Inner Circle gives readers an intimate view of her life as a one of Ray’s devout followers. Ray’s film, The Secret, thrust him into the spotlight, with appearances on such TV shows as Oprah and Larry King Live; he became a national sensation and highly sought after self-help guru. Connie and her husband attended 27 events over three years presented by James Arthur Ray, “Rock Star of Personal Transformation.” In 2007, after participating in one of Ray’s sweat lodges (a Native American ceremonial sauna meant to be a place of spiritual, mental and physical healing) Connie came away feeling anything but healed and began trying to warn others that he may be putting them in danger.
Her prediction that someone could be seriously hurt came true in October 2009, when three people died and 18 participates were injured during a sweat lodge run by James Arthur Ray and his staff. Ray’s trial for the sweat lodge deaths is now set to begin February 16th. Joy’s cautionary tale reminds us that no one’s life should become endangered in the pursuit of a spiritual awakening and she offers suggestions for much-needed regulation of the multi-billion dollar self-help industry. Despite these horrific events, Tragedy in Sedona is not meant to be the condemnation of all spiritual leaders or even the self help movement as a whole. Joy wants her readers to come away from her experiences better prepared on their own path to spiritual awakening and with a very important message: not to “confuse the message with the messenger.”
Connie Joy is immediately available for interviews and commentary. Mid-February to March 1st will be for jury selection and resolution of pre-trial motions and then the trial will begin.