Shamanism

What is a shaman, shamanism and the soul?

Shamans are women and men who use an astounding body of ancient techniques to achieve and maintain well-being, empowerment, guidance and healing for themselves, others, communities, organizations and the Planet. One of the most common terms for a shaman has been a medicine woman or medicine man. Shamanism itself is considered to be the most widespread and ancient system of mind-body healing known to humanity (Harner). As the world’s most enduring healing tradition (not a religion) its practices are nevertheless regarded as being the ground from which all religions spring (Huston Smith). For instance, the origins of tantra as a complete spiritual practice of intimacy with all life come from shamanism and predate ancient Tibetan Buddhism.

Whilst shamans are especially healers they are also seers i.e. see-ers, engaged in seeing into the past, present and future, and dreaming or co-creating positive futures for self and others. They are highly aware and closely connected to nature and the healing powers and energies (or ‘spirits’) associated with us and the whole Earth community.      

On a personal level shamanism is a soul path into health, well-being, joy, passion and intimacy with oneself, within relationships and with all of life. The term soul here means essence, vitality, depth, core Self, or life force energy. When using any of the shamanic methods the person intentionally shifts the nature and quality of her or his own awareness into what is known as an ecstatic (or shamanic) state of consciousness. This state corresponds with brainwave frequency patterns that are measurably different from sleep, normal waking, dream, or meditation states. Essentially one feels relaxed, focused and open to experience. This can seem like a light, sometimes deeper, ‘trance’ like state. The most commonly used shamanic method for inducing this state is a repetitive drum beat of a set frequency via a shamanic drumming CD or drum. This enables the practitioner to be in shamanic awareness in order to apply whichever method of healing, empowerment or guidance work is appropriate at the time.

Who are these courses for?

These programs provide students with the awareness, training and abilities to step into their own personal evolution and that of their clients in relation to the earth, embodiment, the soul and the journey of wholeness. For those wishing to extend their existing professional healing, consulting or therapeutic work, this program is exceptional in its breadth, depth and ongoing development of self and one’s professional competencies.

What makes these programs unique?

These programs are the only ones of their kind to provide this kind of synthesis of time honoured and leading edge healing practices. Its effectiveness lies in its integration of psychological theory, perennial wisdom and contemporary therapeutic understandings and knowledge relevant to our current times and emerging future.