What James Arthur Ray teaches

Here are the "teachings" of James Arthur Ray, the man whose sweat lodge killed two people:

Spiritual WarriorCreate wealth in all areas of your life: Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical and Spiritual.

You can't just do more to get more... you've got to do things differently. That's the difference between winners and also-rans.

In Spiritual Warrior, you'll build upon what you started in Practical Mysticism. You'll become privy to techniques (many kept secret for dozens of generations) that I searched out in the mountains of Peru, the jungles of the Amazon (and a few other places I don't care to recall).

You will (perhaps for the first time in your life), have a gut level understanding of "The Four Enemies of Power." You'll learn to recognize them at a glance, and instantly defeat them when they arise...

You'll define and enforce your own boundaries—without someone else telling you what they should be...

You'll experience a new technologically-enhanced form of meditation that creates new neurological pathways, allowing you to experience powerful whole-brain thinking (this one's gonna knock your socks off)...

You'll experience, at the spiritual level, the ancient methodologies of Samurai Warriors; and gain a true understanding of the authority and strength that come from a life of honor...

There is no sacrifice—only greater and more magnificent results, wealth, adventure and fulfillment.

You owe it to the rest of your life to get to Spiritual Warrior as quickly as you can. The investment is ONLY $9695 per person.More background on Ray and his retreat:

'Sweatbox' victims were attending 'Spiritual Warrior' programThe self-help guru is widely known for his programs that claim to teach individuals to create wealth through all aspects of their lives--financially, mentally, physically and spiritually.

Ray, whose company is based in Carlsbad, California, has appeared on a variety of national programs, including CNN's "Larry King Live." In that appearance, Ray was about to address 3,000 people in Phoenix, Arizona.

Asked what he thinks about critics of his teachings, Ray told King:

"Well, you know, it's interesting, Larry, because any time a new idea comes to the fore, it goes through three phases. It's first ridiculed. Then it's violently opposed. And then it's finally accepted as self-evident, normally after the opposition dies."

Angel Valley Resort advertises itself as "a place to relax and heal ... where powerful earth energies are present and active." It was founded in April 2002 by Michael and Amayra Hamilton, both of whom are teachers and counselors there.

The resort is on 70 secluded valley acres 20 minutes from Sedona, surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, according to the Web site. It has Internal Revenue Service nonprofit status as a religious organization, its Web site says.

"There are twenty marked vortexes and angel sites to experience connection with Earth and spirit, deep relaxation, and balancing," an online brochure says. "Angel Valley offers two labyrinths and an Angel Wheel for going inward, finding answers and getting insights."Comment:  Like almost every New Age charlatan, Ray's website basically says nothing. You're special...you have the power within you...I'll unlock your potential and make you rich...blah, blah, blah.

What I find especially interesting is the photo below. A teepee with a yin/yang symbol, two Navajo-style hogans, and a sweat lodge. Ray might as well post a sign saying, "I'm going to blather about a mishmash of unrelated Native beliefs and customs. I don't understand them and I'm not qualified to teach them, but never mind. Pay up the equivalent of a poor family's annual income and you can delude yourself into thinking you'll be the next Oprah."

For more on the subject, see How Sweat Lodges Can Kill.

Below:  "Investigators look over a sweat lodge (bottom) on the grounds of Angel Valley Retreat Center, near Sedona, Ariz., on Friday."