A jury has convicted the self-help guru who led a deadly sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona in 2009.

It took jurors less than 10 hours to find James Arthur Ray guilty on three counts of negligent homicide.

Jurors were given the option of convicting Ray of manslaughter, but decided on the lesser charge.

Eighteen people were hospitalized and three people died in the October 2009 sweat lodge event. Ray ignored cries for help as people started passing out.

Witnesses described the scene following the two-hour sweat lodge ceremony as alarming and chaotic, with people vomiting and shaking violently, while others dragged "lifeless" and "barely breathing" participants outside. Volunteers performed CPR.

More than 50 people participated in the ceremony.

Ray is known for his spiritual cleansing seminars and self-help advice. His popularity soared after appearing in the 2006 Rhonda Byrne documentary "The Secret," which was promoted on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Larry King Live."

His multi-million dollar empire has crumbled since the 2009 sweat lodge tragedy.