Shamanism: A Sacred Journey to Personal Empowerment

ANCIENT WISDOM, MODERN PRACTICE

Overview: 2010

Shamanism is an ancient system of spirituality that dates from the earliest beginnings of humanity. Its popularity is due to its deep spirituality, reverence for all life forms and the ability to provide answers in a troubled world. Shamanism is a way of thinking and acting – of learning about, understanding and living in harmony with everything around you.

Shamanism, as we explore it today, maps the way to the worlds of Nature in order to help us grow and expand our own vision and capacities. It teaches us how to sincerely explore and connect, without superstition, to Self, Nature and Spirit.

This course is designed as a series of integrated modules that explore different aspects of the foundation practices within this ancient system. A module is comprised of a weekly class, a weekend workshop, a nature experience retreat and an individual processing session. Ours is a course in universal shamanic practices, with a hint of Celtic, Australian and Peruvian shamanism filtered through the modules.

Who are these workshops for?

Whether you’re interested in shamanic methods, practices and experiences as tools for your own growth and self-development or wanting to adapt and incorporate them into your work as a professional practitioner, you will learn how to become the “medicine maker” and follow your own path of healing and transformation by learning how to connect to the pure energies of Self, Nature and Spirit.

What makes these workshops unique?

This course is a fusion of shamanic wisdom gathered from many ways – ancient and modern. Here it’s all about knowing how to integrate and apply your shamanic training. We also offer the opportunity of an overseas study tour for people who would like to deepen their shamanic experiences. Another great thing about this course is that it introduces you to shamanic practices from around the globe including our own beautiful indigenous culture.

For those wanting to incorporate shamanic practices into their work as practitioners, there are additional modules that must be completed as well as bi-monthly group practice sessions which commence in Term 2 . Upon the completion of all training modules you will be awarded a Certificate in Shamanic Practices.

Structure:

Each module is designed in such a way that you can choose to attend individual topics - a weekly class, a weekend workshop or a nature experience retreat - or participate in the whole module giving you a stronger, more robust understanding and experience of universal shamanism and shamanic practices.
Modules can be studied as stand-alone components that include a weekly class, weekend workshop, a nature experience retreat and an individual processing session, or as building blocks to a whole course of study.

Modules are self-contained in that each module is built around a specific aspect of shamanic practice and although each module has a relationship to the other modules in the program, they do not have to be studied concurrently – you can build your learning according to your area of interest and complement your learning with additional short workshops from outside your curriculum. For example, you might participate in a weekly Sacred Journey workshop only and then decide to learn more about the subtle energy bodies by taking our Subtle Energy Systems workshop which is part of our energetic healing course.

Duration:

If you do these workshops as a program for personal growth and interest, it is a 12 month part time program. If you want to become a practitioner or use this training as part of your existing practice, then you must complete the additional modules. With this option your program duration is 18 months part time. Workshops can also be taken one at a time depending on personal interest.

Term 1: Aspects of Shamanism

Everyday Shamanism – Fundamental Practices
Shamanic Journey – Sacred Journey
Wild Nature Retreat: Shamanic Experience
Individual Processing Session

Term 2: Medicine Man/Medicine Woman

Elemental Shamanic Meditation
Shamanic Journey – Spirit Medicine
Wild Nature Retreat: Vision Quest*
Individual Development Session

Term 3: Green Spirituality

Animal and Plant Spirit Communication
Green Rituals and Ceremony (Celtic Shamanism)
Wild Nature Retreat: Green Wisdom
Individual Development Session

Term 4: Shamanic Healing

Indigenous Healing Practices
Power Loss, Soul Retrieval, Divination and Extraction
Wild Nature Retreat: Living in Harmony
Individual Development Session


Year 2 Subjects: for intending practitioners

Soul Centred Counselling 1 & 2
Senior First Aid Certificate
Soul Centred Practice
Drum and Rattle Making Weekend Workshop
Bi monthly practice group during year 1


WORKSHOPS

Module 1: Aspects of Shamanism
To understand the sacred, other world journeys of the shaman, it is first necessary to understand the basic philosophies and practices of shamanism. This module explores the fundamental elements and relationships of shamanic practice. You will learn about classical or traditional shamanic practices and frameworks across cultures; the shamanic state of consciousness; the shamanic view of power, divination and healing; training awareness and practice the shamanic journey method.

Weekend Workshop: Everyday Shamanism – Fundamental Practices
In this workshop you will build the ground of your shamanic knowledge by learning about some of the shamanic practices that are common across cultures and traditions and how these practices are used. You will explore and practice some of the foundation processes, rituals and ceremonies that underpin shamanic practice as a life art and as a healing modality. You will learn methods for shifting consciousness and training awareness to open your communication channels so that you can enter into a deeper listening relationship with Spirit; the shamanic view of power; the four cardinal directions and elements; shamanic states of consciousness and shamanic symbols.

Enrol now term 1 10

Weekly Class: Sacred Journey
In this weekly class you will learn about, practice and refine the foundation skill of shamanic journeying which is common across many cultures and traditions. You will learn how to become more powerful in your day to day life whilst at the same time learning about the shamanic journey and the web of life. Through the learning framework of the Medicine Wheel you will learn how to work with power animals, power symbols, intention, the subtle energy bodies, levels of reality, expanding consciousness, illness, healing and divination to access and restore personal power.

Enrol now term 1 10

Wild Nature Retreat: Shamanic Experience
Whether you’re a student in our full program or feel you need to step out of your everyday life to rest, restore and rejuvenate, this retreat provides the opportunity to connect with the teaching and healing powers of Nature. For students in our full program, you will continue building the ground of your shamanic knowledge and understanding by working directly with Self, Nature and Spirit, blending your learning together to find the deep self-healing experiences that the shamanic path can provide. For all participants, you will experience the symbols and creative energies of Nature, learning how to open your mind and your heart to the wisdom that is surrounding you for your own life journey. This retreat is perfect for students, practitioners, individuals, couples and friends who want to reconnect with their true nature.

Enrol now term 1 10

Module 2: Medicine Man/Medicine Woman
As we grow in strength and power, we empower the planet and all who inhabit her. A medicine person, in ancient times, was a person of wisdom, power and knowledge who lived within the community. Their skills closely paralleled those of the shaman. This module works with the shamanic view of power. You will learn how to work with energy, the nature of energy, the chakras and the subtle energy bodies; develop your relationship with Nature and Spirit to create your personal power totem; discover and work with your personal power objects and further develop your intuition and shamanic state of consciousness.

Weekend Workshop: Elemental Shamanic Meditation
Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether – this workshop helps you to learn about and enter into relationship with the elements of the Cosmos. Meditation helps you to clear your channel of communication with Spirit and to recover essential energy that has been relocated and unable to be consciously accessed. This workshop combines meditation with movement to activate the energies and life force which surrounds and moves through the body. You will learn how to use gazing and meditative practices to clear sluggish energies, strengthen the layers of subtle and physical bodies and enhance perception and awareness to support the mind-body-spirit relationship.

Enrol now term 2 10

Weekly Class: Spirit Medicine Journey
This workshop brings together two ancient healing methods – Shamanic Journey and Chakra Healing. You will learn how to use Shamanic Journey as a personal healing, empowerment and divination tool whilst at the same time learning about the power centres of the body, how to channel and work with energy to balance and heal the chakras and enter into deep soul imagery by creating your personal power totem. Through this workshop you will learn more about the shamanic view of power and power loss, ways to use shamanic journey work in everyday life, refine your powers of perception and intuition and discover more about how you can access the sacred healing realms.

Enrol now term 2 10

Wild Nature Retreat: Vision Quest
Vision quest is a unique and individual experience. In its own way it is a type of rite of passage where you learn more about yourself and your relationship with the universe. It is a time of transformation and renewal, where you return to nature to connect with Spirit to seek answers to problems and issues in everyday life, decide to let go or put aside outmoded ways of thinking, being and beliefs that are no longer serving you. There is guidance before and after the quest and in between you will spend time alone in nature to seek your own truths and divine understanding, bringing you closer to the elements, to Source and allowing your soul to move into deeper connection with you. Please note: if you are participating in this topic as a stand-alone course, then you must participate in an individual preparation session and a processing session after vision quest. For participants in the full program, you will schedule your processing session for after the quest.

Enrol now term 2 10

Module 3: Green Spirituality
Nature speaks clearly to those who are attuned to her. In increasing our attunement to Earth wisdom we can become the shamans of our world. By expanding our awareness and relationships to include the worlds of Minerals, Plants, Humans, Animals and the Cosmos we enter into deeper communion with the world of Nature, journeying ever closer to the path of the Self. In this module you will learn to traverse the Cosmology of the shamanic world; recognise and interpret signs and symbols; attune to the communication of the natural world to hear the messages it brings and apply this learning to mapping the journeys and relationships of everyday life. This module has the flavour of Celtic shamanic practice.

Weekend Workshop: Animal and Plant Spirit Communication
There are different ways of perceiving information, the keyword is trust. Plants and animals can teach us how to co-operate with our Self, each other and with our environment. In this workshop you will learn how to develop your skills in the shamanic ability to communicate with the spiritual life force and energies of plants and animals. Whether you want to deepen your understanding of shamanic practices or want to help your pets and garden to thrive, this workshop takes you into a deeper kind of communication where you can learn to use animal and plant wisdom to heal yourself, others, the mind, body or spirit.

Enrol now term 3 10

Weekly Class: Green Rituals and Ceremony
Rituals and ceremony are part of shamanic practice and are performed for many reasons. Used to speak to the unconscious, you will learn how to use ritual and ceremony to tap into your creative powers, receive prophetic dreams and visions, to celebrate achievements and important events, prepare for healing work, direct focus towards things that you want to accomplish and to remind yourself that you are a living connection within the web of life. Rituals and ceremony are an expression of honour. In this workshop you will learn about the power and magic of ritual and ceremony as paths to healing and honouring yourself and our world.

Enrol now term 3 10

Wild Nature Retreat: Green Wisdom
This nature experience shows you how to expand your awareness and relationships to include the worlds of rocks, minerals, plants, humans, animals, stars, moon, trees and the Cosmos. Trees have particular significance in shamanic practice. You will traverse the landscape of the “shaman”, attuning yourself to the language of the natural world, to hear the messages it brings and applying this learning to mapping the journeys and relationships of your everyday life. This is a chance to explore and experience the essence of the natural world, to communicate with the elemental energies of Nature and to learn to recognise and interpret her signs and symbols.

Enrol now term 3 10

Module 4: Shamanic Healing
In this module you will learn to better understand the shamanic philosophy of life and the purpose of life as spiritual development and attunement. You will learn about Australian Indigenous healing practices; removing obstacles and clearing a path to help facilitate a person’s natural self-healing capacity; shamanic divination and practice the processes and methods of power retrieval and extraction of stuck energies.

Weekend Workshop: Indigenous Healing Practices
According to Aboriginal belief, all life as it is today is part of a sacred system of relationships which can be traced to the great spirit ancestors of the Dreamtime. The Dreamtime speaks of the creation of the world and its stories. In this workshop you will learn about the sacred network of relationships between the human world, physical world and the sacred world, the connection of the people to the land, ceremonies, relationships and healing practices from our own indigenous culture. Taught by an indigenous teacher, this work is a valuable experience for students, travellers and anyone interested in our own unique indigenous culture and the sacredness of it in our world.

Enrol now term 4 10

Weekly Class: Power Loss, Soul Retrieval, Divination and Extraction
From the shamanic healing perspective, everything has a physical aspect, energetic aspect and a spiritual aspect. In this perspective, three imbalances underpin the causes of poor health: disharmony, fear and soul loss. When we are diminished by imbalance we can become vulnerable to intrusions in our personal energetic field and it is the weakening of our personal power that causes our sense of wellbeing and our life force to be disrupted. In this workshop you will learn how to sense and work with stuck energies, methods of restoring personal power and divination, to recover and activate essential energies for better health.

Enrol now term 4 10

Wild Nature Retreat: Living in Harmony
For students in our year long program, this retreat is an opportunity to bring together your learning, wisdom, skills, practices and abilities – there will be plenty of chances to practise and apply your learning. For others, who want to take time out from their everyday life, you will learn how to sincerely explore and connect, without superstition, to Self, Nature and Spirit. This retreat will help you to rediscover your own wild nature, to experience living in harmony with everything around you and to create, grow and expand your own vision and capacity for inspired and sensual living.

Enrol now term 4 10

Individual Development Sessions
By its very nature, shamanic work is transformative. It can make considerable demands upon you as you learn to relate your experience to the theory. An individual processing session helps you to evolve your learning and support the integration of your learning into your daily life. It will help you to make sense of what is taking place in your inner world and how that might relate to changes in your external world. These sessions help you to explore your personal and learning challenges, work with your doubts, discover opportunities, support change and develop your strengths. They are designed to help you maximise your learning experience and to encourage and facilitate your ongoing self-development.

Booked 1 per term. Paid for at time of session.

Year 2 Subjects: for intending practitioners

Soul Centred Counselling 1 & 2
Weekend Workshops
Senior First Aid Flexible
Soul Centred Practice 3 day Workshop
Drum and Rattle Making Weekend Workshop
Bi monthly practice group during year 1