Let the mystery find you

7 07 2011

 

There is an old story in which everyone’s problems are placed in a pile in the middle of the room. After seeing the challenges of their friends, each person gladly takes their own problems back.

As a shamanic practitioner I am constantly aware of my own good fortune. And yet, when I undertake to help another person I am also aware of a resonance of my patient’s problems and issues with aspects of my life. For example, during a diagnostic journey I recently saw what I thought of as an image from the American Revolutionary War. There was a line of British solders walking smartly down the center of the road in a nice neat line with white uniforms and red hats while a drum announcing their presence. Meanwhile, a rag-tag band of rebel soldiers hid behind trees and picked them off one by one.

In the context of my client’s inquiry, it seemed to be a warning to my client that he might be too rigid regarding that particular issue. After he left, I reexamined this powerful image for personal meanings. I am an artist and sometime referred to as a “raging creative” so I didn’t see an immediate connection.

Several days passed before I found myself in tears as it relevance occurred to me.  I was thinking of myself on a typical trip. When I travel my attention is too fixed on my plan. My desire for safety, economy, and achieving my goals, leaves very little room for deviation. My tears were because I realized that I had passed unaware by many wonderful discoveries because I was so set on my goal.

I vow to allowing space for the discoveries find me, to being more open to beauty and mystery, and to remembering the journey is more important than the destination not only during summer travel but during all of life’s journeys. Dear friends, enjoy these beautiful summer days wherever they take you.


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Categories : Shamanism in Modern Life

If you are a post menopausal woman with poor health, is a past life the reason?

3 07 2011

In past ages, the cure for menopause was death. When people talked about the wise elders they were usually talking about people at the advanced age of 40. It is a modern phenomenon having “baby boomers” reaching retirement age in great numbers. This is an event of great magnitude. What does it mean apart from being a significant result of the industrial revolution and ensuing breakthroughs in: reduced physical work, better quality of food, and modern medicine?

Metaphysical books from the past each claim to be at a pivotal moment in history. Our current aging population is one thing that sets this time in history apart. It has not occurred before. It is a part of the macrocosm of time in history and has a great potential for good. It may be a financial burden for society but it is also an amazing opportunity. I, for one, am proud to be here to see it. Great things are possible in a way they have never been before.  Why am I so optimistic?

Most shamanic and spiritual events I have been involved with are most heavily attended by women. A typical breakdown is 70 percent women and 30 percent male. Of the women, it tends to be more heavily post-menopausal women. I guess this breakdown is also 70/30 favoring post menopausal women. It appears that with their child rearing, household, and income producing responsibilities reduced, they are giving attention to their spiritual needs. For some this means helping out at their church. For some, it means looking at alternative spiritual practices.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs states that we meet our primary before reaching for self actualization and transcendence. I can only be excited by having so many people reach a time in their lives when their primary work is to achieve a goal of being their best selves. Rather than facing retirement as an end, it is possible to see it as a new beginning.

It saddens me to see so many women whose vitality has decreased at this crucial time. As a trained fitness professional and long time student of aged healers in other parts of the world, I can tell you that the perception that we are suppose to be old and feeble isn’t valid. There are many fit and vital older adults in this world. The ideas is to reduce the time between decrepitude and death through healthy living rather than accept that is it all over and sit waiting for the inevitable.

We have more older Americans. There is no coincidence that this is happening when the world is in such dire need of champions. You, my friends, are these champions.

If you see that your vitality is not up to the task, I challenge you to ask why. Many of us are defeated by the limited thinking that our beloved society has set for us. Once we pass the golden age of youth we may cling to it with the latest beauty products or give up completely. Many of us have given up on being able to change health issues, weight problems, bad relationships, or bad habits. It is possible and actually, it easier than you might think.  Yes, you know some of the common tools, such as:

  • Not denying the problem – facing it head on
  • Not trying to do it alone
  • Setting a reasonable time frame for results
  • Making changes in a way that you can stick with

 The Most Important Tools

There are other tools equally or more important in changing a downhill slide into old age. They involve getting to the root of your issues. This can involve some deep work. Many people are afraid of this work or don’t even know it is possible.

It is possible to address these problems in many ways. Even psychologists and other western trained medical professionals are now realizing the validity of shamanic tools in reaching and relieving these deeply held issues.

If you suspect you way have such issues, think about one issue that you currently have then remember back to earlier times in your life when you can see this issue. If you can remember to where it started, you are ready to start changing it.

I have seen people whose issues where so deeply ingrained that I suspect they came into this life with them. I don’t believe or not believe in past lives but it certainly fits as an explanation of what I see. Regardless of whether the issue is from this life, or a previous one, there are excellent ways to eliminate them. Eliminating these issue will not only change how you live your life but will made a great deal of vitality available for you to do other things in your life which you care about. Is there something you want to do but just can’t find the time, willpower or energy to start? We can change that.

I am not promising you will live longer, though you might. Even if we just face our deaths better prepared, we have gained a lot. Who knows, it may mean we don’t have to come back here and suffer the same pains again. We will all be together of the other side of the veil soon enough, lets live with joy and help others while we are here.

If you are interested in learning more, email me and I will invite you to an event to hear more on this important topic.


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Categories : Learn about Shamanism, Shamanism in Modern Life

Primal Path

16 01 2011



Primal Path is the name of a CD I just received. It is musical synthesis by Marc Dorsa featuring the voice of Moon, a medicine man. If you are looking for New Age elevator music, this isn’t it. If you want a guided visualization which will lead you into your deepest wounds and out the other side, this could be it!

Please, don’t listen to this CD while you are driving your car. You could find yourself driving right off the road. Take the time to sit, fully present, and allow these sounds to carry you into yourself. The music is complex enough for the mind to become removed from its familiar groove leaving you free to be carried along as Moon’s voice resonates into your wounded parts.

Moon is chanting and toning the language of healing. This chanting creates a sympathetic vibration within the willing listener. Like a lazar it penetrates into the part of the listener which shares the vibration of the particular pain or issue being explored.  At times like a dentist’s drill, the sounds are sometimes more therapeutic than pleasant.  But then, how often do you have a chance to do deep healing alone, on your own schedule? And you can return again and again!

As one releases deeply held pain, thoughtfully scored music carries one even deeper then buoys one home to the beauty and peace where they belong.

There is so much material here that it might be wise to listen to only a few “songs” at a time. It is overwhelming to try and work through it all at once. I send my congratulations to the producer and artists on bringing this gift of love into the world.

Primal Path is available from: http://www.inrwrldmusic.com

 


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Categories : Learn about Shamanism, Letters to a Young Shaman

The Cost of Being Weird

6 01 2011
Are you afraid to be considered weird by your family and friends? Or do you relish the idea?The time of burning witches and medicine men is not so long past that it can be completely forgotten.   I frequently hear snickered remarks in the workplace about anyone who admits to metaphysical interests. 

Who are these People?

Modern shamanic practitioners come from all walks of life and at first glance seem to have little in common. They are often healers looking for ways to expand their services.  Some folks are vagabond drop-outs wandering the earth happily experimenting with odd traditions. More commonly they are nurses, plumbers, housewives, farmers, or shoe salesmen who are not looking for drama, a guru, or the latest new age workshop. They are simply people trying to understand their place in this universe.

What will my Friends Say?

Many of the people I have met exploring the shamanic path are concerned with what others think of them. Many friends and family members will find the practitioner’s interests weird.  The practitioners may be embarrassed or afraid of ridicule, especially as they experiment to learn more about this path. Some friends will present themselves as happy test subjects while others silently move away.

The more I learn, the less I feel weird.  In fact, people who don’t question their lifestyle choices, who feed on drama, and those who define their life with many common pursuits, seem weird to me.

As I learned about non-ordinary reality I realized how much of what I previously considered real was related more to my view of things than the things themselves. As I became an observer of my actions I stopped, for the most part, blaming anyone else for my choices. I am working on forgiving myself for the difficult ones. No, my choices aren’t perfect.  Some aren’t even rational and I continue to make frequent bad decisions. Still, I find myself to be happier, more compassionate, and less judgmental. I no longer suffer depression of the sort that marred my youth.

While my family and friends may not understand my obsession, I believe they realize it has value and meaning to me. Some friendships have fallen away. Among those that remain strong they have accepted me as I am. Other friends and family members are noticeably more comfortable to avoid the topic.  I am hopeful that with time they will come to trust that I haven’t joined a cult or become a fool. Meanwhile, my growth is more important to me than their judgment.

Yes, you can still hold a job

Unlike a monastic life, shamanism is practiced in conventional societal and economic rolls in one’s customary environment. You don’t sit in a trance 24-7.

The shaman is a master of the two realities, ordinary and non-ordinary. A practitioner’s ability to function in non-ordinary reality in no way hinders her ability to function in ordinary reality.  In traditionally shamanic cultures the shaman joined her community workforce just like everyone else. She slipped into her shamanic roll only when it was called for, by someone’s illness or other triggering event in the community.

Drastic Change

Students of shamanism often fear the loss of important relationships. Why? Most likely because they realize they are changed by what they learn.  Change is hard on relationships. Most people can look back and see that as their life moved through cycles their primary friendships changed.

I experienced great upheaval in my life.  My exploration of shamanism coincided with these changes and helped me make them. However, the desire for change was already there. This desire for change is one of the characteristics many shamanic practitioners have in common.

Common characteristics of shamanic practitioners

I have observed that many people on this path where already set outside the mainstream of society by something. Perhaps it was an aspect of their temperament or a lifestyle choice. Often their intuition has made them aware of things others don’t notice.

While shamanic practitioners vary in many ways I see some commonality in the following areas:

  • Open to change
  • Introspective
  • Independent thinker
  • Intelligent
  • Self-directed
  • Resilient
  • Creative
  • Empathetic
  • Honest
  • Disciplined
  • Nonconformist
  • Strong Intuitive

Interesting Times Ahead

I remember my mom saying to me one day, “your friends are certainly interesting.” Her tone of voice suggested that interesting covered a lot of territory, some of which she wasn’t comfortable with. Her remark was loving and undoubtedly true. My friends are interesting. So, dear friends, welcome. There are interesting times ahead.


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Categories : Learn about Shamanism, Letters to a Young Shaman

Being in the Flow-The Mind/Body Relationship

30 12 2010

When you consistently practice shamanism, you begin to recognize that events seem to happen easily with little thought or effort on your part. You need a job or a place to live and it appears. Conversely, when you are not in the flow, your best efforts are thwarted. You feel like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the hill. You can be working very hard to complete a project and despite your heroic efforts, you can’t think or work yourself out of the situation. This is another important principle of shamanism – when you can’t think or work yourself out of a situation, become an observer and step back away from the situation.  Give up the allusion that you have control.

In traditional shamanic societies the shaman lived closer to nature and is more physically active. Many shamanic traditions utilize “the gait of power” or “passes” or some other physical activities to manipulate and focus power. That is, they use their bodies in a way that helps them align with the flow of energy which is not best helped by thought.

The recognition of charkas and meridians, and the release of emotional responses during massage are examples of the interconnection between the physical body and the other levels of energy such as the emotions, mental and spiritual bodies.

Second charka – it would take a long blog to address charka energy but this is an important topic and one that requires a different approach in modern society than in traditional shamanic cultures because of the increasingly sedentary nature of our lives.

Shaktipat, the possibility of instantly communicating enlightenment from a guru to his student or the possibility of instantaneous healing is always possible. However, the opportunity is greatly increased by preparing the body to receive greater energy flow. Therefore the physical fitness and free flow of chi are highly desirable.

 


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Categories : Learn about Shamanism, Letters to a Young Shaman

Seances

27 11 2010

The word séance is not particularly associated with shamanic practice. However, the role of medium is one of the roles of a shamanic practitioner. On some occasions the practitioner will merge with a healing spirit in order to complete a healing ritual. In other cases a practitioner will merge with a spirit to procure or relay a particular message for a client. An example of this is when a recently deceased loved one will reach out to a client through the practitioner.

Often a client will contact a practitioner with a request to assist a loved one who is about to die or has recently died. This work is called psycho pomp and is the work of helping a person cross-over.

A séance is slightly different in that it typically involves a group of three or more people with the specific intention of contacting one or more spirits. The practitioner works as a medium to bring these spirits into contact with this group. Generally this is done by merging with the spirits.

A séance is more social than many shamanic undertakings. It is often characterized by a heightened state of excitement and nervousness among the participants.  Once the session is underway the difficulty for the medium is not to bring spirits through, as there are many waiting for such a chance. The challenge is to connect with the specific spirits connected with the individuals present.

I am often saddened by how many spirits are wandering this earth without direction. I think this is due to traumatic deaths such as from natural disasters and from the number of people who die without having worked through their challenges through religion or spiritual practice. By contrast, I seldom meet spirits who have passed from illness. I believe that as their illness progressed, they worked through much of the process and move more easily to the other side.

One way to obtain the most from a séance is to let go of expectations of what it will look like based on old movies. It is also helpful to focus on a specific question rather than just wanting to connect with Grandmother to see if she still loves you. I can assure you she does. However, she isn’t just hanging around with nothing to do on the other side.

Most people have felt the presence of a diseased love one at one time or another, especially just after a person has died. Our loved ones do retain ties to us and will occasionally appear when we need them.

My experience with the spirits tells me that the best way to connect with our ancestors is to continue to do our personal healing. We share the wounds of our ancestors. When we heal ourselves, we heal our lineage in both directions, back to our ancestors and forward to our children.


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Categories : Psycho pomp, Seances

Shamanic Divination

27 11 2010

When I first began my search to understand why I spontaneously knew some of the things I knew about people, I read voraciously. I became a scientist dedicated to learning all I could about metaphysical knowledge and the paranormal.

In my search I decided to pull the veil off anything that I feared. One of my early investigations was into Tarot. I purchased half-a-dozen decks, compiled a ledger of notes from various experts, and seriously applied myself to learning how it worked. Because, for me, it worked. Eventually I created and published a deck of my own.

When I was working on introducing this deck to the public I participated in a Psychic Fair. I found it unusually difficult to read a person in a room where, as I felt it, the energy of so many people was hanging out. I felt as overwhelmed as I had years earlier when visiting a family member in a mental hospital.

I hung an out-to-lunch sign at my table and began to visit with other readers in the room. I also observed the clients of various readers.

I asked readers whether they read from their intuition of from the strict guidelines inherent to each card. Generally, they claimed only to go by the traditional meanings.  This may or may not have been true. For me, tarot, or any other divination tool I have used, is only a way to open the channel for intuition. Having done shamanic divination or reading for over 25 years, I know that no tool alone is as effective as any of these tools in the hands of an intuitive and empathic reader.

I focus on shamanic healing rather than shamanic readings because a healing session not only puts me in touch with the client’s underlying issues but gives permission to do something about them. I don’t just say you have soul loss, I restore the soul part. I don’t just say your mother-in-law has put a hex on you, I remove the hex.  I don’t say you are suffering from loneliness, I work to heal the reason you put protective  barriers around yourself that cause the loneliness.

What I observed with many of the clients at that psychic fair was that they intuitively sought out the reader who would tell them what they wanted to hear.  Some seemed to pick a healer who would wallow with them in their shared woundedness.  I believe that each person selects the healer to work with who suits their current need. It might be a different choice on a different day or at a different stage in their healing. That tends to be me when you are ready to break your consensus reality.

I am happy when I meet a former client who has moved ahead to different healing methods. I know that my part in their healing was surgical. I often peel away enough layers of the wound to allow them to go to another for the delicate work of a psychologist or therapist. I sometimes learn that they have committed themselves to a healing or religious practice.

I see people as blocks of pain. Through healing, we break off this pain bit by bit as they can handle it. The spirits direct how much work can be done at any one time. When I have the blessing of being present at the release of the final big block of pain it is an amazing experience. It is overwhelmingly emotional and painful to let go of something so familiar and comfortable that has been with one so long.


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Categories : Divination Sessions

What I do Best in my Healing Work

27 11 2010

My friend Patty, a shamanic healer visiting me from Canada, recently asked me what I thought I did best in my healing work. What a great question. It is one I will continue to contemplate.

I answered rather quickly, and without much thought. I said that it was probably the same thing I did best in ordinary reality.  I told her I knew who a person was when they were three years old, who they are now and who they will be when they are 90 years old.

Patty responded that this meant I was a seer.

I had never thought of this before. I don’t generally see anything so much as I just know things and feel their truth with every fiber of my being. I’m not a mind reader.

It happens that at my best moment I don’t feel any separation between me and another person. For that matter I don’t see any distinction between me and the air, the earth, or anything.  In animism there is a core belief that all things are imbued with the same energy. This is given credibility through the study of physics which tell us all things are made from the same energy particles. In meditation we become aware of the possibility to expand beyond our own skin. I guess that this is how I begin to know stuff I wouldn’t be aware of in my ordinary state of consciousness. Using the language of my youth, I call it the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Whatever it is, it means that the healing I participate in comes from this place of shared consciousness.  I become a hollow bone through which healing passes. So I guess what I do best, is get out of the way.


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What to expect from a healing session

27 11 2010

“I am sorry for coming when I am such a mess,” the man coming in the door said.

“It seems like everyone who crosses my door says that,” I replied.

This one factor, feeling out of control, unites most of the people I see. As Americans, we share a cultural value which pressures us to power through our life, ignoring our pain. It isn’t until we are tied in knots, often by yet another difficulty (i.e. divorce, unemployment, medical issue) that we seek help. We often only seek non-traditional intervention when every other thing we have tried has failed. It I no wonder that people come to a shamanic practitioner with feelings of embarrassment, failure and even shame at needing help.

It is very good news that people universally leave feeling better because:

  • They have immediate confirmation that there is something to this non-traditional stuff.
  • They typically receive specific information, energy and/or spiritual healing.
  • Most importantly, they leave aware that another human being isn’t afraid of their pain and will stand in it with them.  I’m not an energy vampire, wallowing in their pain, but a brief open-hearted sharing allows a person to let down their defenses.
  • By letting down defenses a patient releases a burst of creative energy in which healing and the awareness of the possibility of healing is received.
  • They become awareness of a context for their experience.

This doesn’t mean that everyone leaves cured of all their problems. However, they typically move forward unburdened and hopeful. I often don’t see a patient again for several months and when I do, they tell me that things are going better, even when they are in a difficult period of their life. They often attribute part, or much of this, to their experience of shamanic healing.


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Deities, Rituals, and Healing Forms

17 11 2010

I continue to receive questions about Aama’s healings. Here are some of my humble explanations with a disclaimer directing you to further research for more complete information.

Aama is a Buddhist. In Nepal Hinduism and Buddhism coexist. Often Buddhists and Hindus are seen worshipping side by side at the same shrine, each calling the deity to whom the shrine is dedicated, by a different name.  Hinduism considers other religions part of Hinduism (it seems to me that they are saying, of course all religion is in the name of the same God). Hinduism recognizes many deities as representations of different aspects of God.

People have asked about deities Aama referred to.  Some she referred to by their Hindu names.

Aama referred to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are respectively the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.  These quick descriptions only hint at their many aspects. Shiva, for example, can be not only a destroyer but also a transformer and can be called upon in a situation where transformation is the goal.

Aama also spoke of Kal Bairab – the destroyer and Swet Brairab, the protector.

She frequently mentioned the use of sang, which is incense, as part of a prayer ritual.

Other than specific rituals such as the Man Chinni Exorcism rite, I don’t believe I have seen Aama do the same healing ritual twice. As with most shamanic work, the job of the shaman is to become the hollow bone. S/he is thus free of any preconceived idea of what work is needed and can receive information, filter it as little as possible, and deliver it to the patient.  As Aama demonstrated, this work can include divination (readings), spiritual healing (either through the direct physical effort of the shaman or through spirit helpers who may sometimes merge with the shaman), energy work, suggestions for self-healing and spiritual growth practices, and/or a blessing/prayer ritual.


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