What is a Shaman?
“Over tens of thousands of years, our ancient ancestors all over the world discovered how to maximize human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem-solving. The remarkable system of methods they developed is today known as "shamanism," a term that comes from a Siberian tribal word for its practitioners: "shaman" (pronounced SHAH-mahn). Shamans are a type of medicine man or woman especially distinguished by the use of journeys to hidden worlds otherwise mainly known through myth, dream, and near-death experiences.” - Michael Harner, Founder- Institute for Shamanic Studies
Core Shamanism is the practice of the universal principles of shamanism and is not specific to any tradition or culture. Corresponding or similar techniques can be found in the knowledge of all indigenous cultures.
“This has been a mystical path for me and I have found through practicing and from the feedback of clients that Spirit knows exactly what it is doing. It knows where to go, what to do and how to do it. If I studied the rest of my life, I could not know as much as Spirit already knows and facilitates. I am blessed to be accompanied in this journey by celestial, advanced and ascended beings that are infinitely more spiritual, healing, compassionate, benevolent and effective than I could ever be.”
"While my own faith is eclectic and comes from investigating and practicing many paths including Christianity, Quaker, Taoism, Buddhism, Sufism, Kabbalah, Native American, I Ching, Hermeticism, Quantum Physics, Sacred Geometry and others, I remain in awe of the mystical traditions at the esoteric core of all faiths. To chose one over another would be to leave out something important, maybe even essential. I attend a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship because it embraces all faiths as legitimate."
My personal practices have included the martial arts: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Aikido; Yoga and Sudarshan Kryia .
Five Cultural Characteristics of a Shaman:
• Initiation or ritual baptism
• Identification with the adopting spirit
• Acquisition of the necessary ritual skills
• Tutelage
• Familiarity with the adopting spirit
Was Jesus a Shaman?
In studying the "miracles" and healings performed by Jesus, it appears that he used Shamanic techniques. The crucifixion itself is similar to the Iwipi Ceremony in which physical pain and intense suffering creates transformation and indeed, transfiguration.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and learned the ritual skills from John. His identification with the adopting spirit was clear via the message: “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” The acquisition of the necessary ritual skills are formed during testing of loyalty or temptation. A birth or rebirth is part of the tutelage and a familiarity with “The Father” was certainly present in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had no power until he is in contact with Spirit. With Spirit, he heals and accomplishes great things. He says that we too, are capable of such marvels.
Advantages of being both Shaman and Minister:
“ A Theologian studies the celestial realms; a Shaman makes regular visits.” -Rev. B, Soulwhisperer
"The work of a minister is to guide people toward the Divine. For too many centuries the religious hierarchies have pointed to the heavens or elsewhere in the external world to find it.
The sacred is everywhere including (and especially) hidden inside the heart of the human. The Shamans were the Medicine Man/Woman, Wise Elder, and Priest of the ancients who worked collaboratively with Spirit to heal sickness in the body, mind and soul and to enlist the spirit of the individual to participate in its own healing. Shamans know their way around the realms of Spirit and the sacred, as they are frequent fliers."
How my dual spiritual path evolved...
I knew after loosing my dear canine companion of 14 years, a Black Labrador Retriever named Max, that my healing work now needed to include animals. I had watched Max in his role and work as therapy dog, mascot and healer in the halfway house I managed that was full of people with broken spirits. In watching him and seeing the results with residents, I knew he had more intelligence than we attribute to the “average” dog. After his passing, my daughter game me a book about animal communication and it fascinated me enough to look deeper.
A peace activist and advocate for most of my life, I had lost my enthusiasm for anti-war activities. It seemed to me that anti anything was “pushing against” instead of “pushing toward” something else, some evolutional change. What you resist persists, unfortunately.
My study of human consciousness helped to realize that the path to peace was paved in more than one direction and that real change included “feeling into” an new vibration or new way of being. I new nothing that could change feeling and frequency faster than companion animals.
My Native American heritage had led me to research my ancestry and I knew these facets of my life were all somehow linked. I had taken a vow of compassion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it seemed to me that compassion was the way to peace. Animals can teach us compassion not just for non-human animals but human animals as well.
An Interspecies Communication Colleague decided to sponsor a Shaman to present a workshop for graduates of Penelope Smith’s courses. Penelope Smith is the pioneer and grandmother of animal communication. At that workshop I found an innate ability to travel in celestial regions and I developed a respect for the way of the Shaman.
I wanted more teaching so I asked my Shaman if she would consider ongoing training and she agreed. In the Native tradition and work with the cosmic spiral, She has been my Shaman/mentor/teacher now for more than 10 years guiding me through the experiences and training needed for accomplished Shamans. We meet monthly to journey and to debrief.
I experienced a jarring shamanic crisis and immersion in 2000. I received a shamanic initiation with the tribal elders of Siberia. I also studied with and received training from two Hawaiian Shamans and studied and continue to study with my Egyptian Shaman and mentor.
A year later I joined the Seminary for Spiritual Peacemaking. It seemed the logical next step. My Seminary experience was far beyond ordinary. In addition to the usual study of theology, my experience included teachers like James Twyman (Peace Troubadour), Doreen Virtue, Gangaji, Neale Donald Walsch, Jean Houston, Deepak Chopra, Rabbi David, Brother Lawrence, Father Meesi and others. My list of teachers were among the who’s who of spiritual planetary teachers, leaders and Avatars.
I began my ministry working with animals and has expanded to people because of the number of requests and the obvious need for soul retrieval work. I often get calls from people who are recovering from childhood abuse, and especially those grappling with the aftermath of incest. For people with severe childhood injurious abuse issues, it is recommended that the client have a therapist in place.
Shamanic journeying assists to recapture the pieces of the soul that have split off or been taken by powerful authority figures. A power retrieval follows and the individual feels a surge in their personal power.
This work is holy work and the integration of the soul is a sacred journey. The work is approached strictly from this perspective. Guidance is provided along the way. A Divine Team stands ready to assist with the retrieval of soul pieces and the assimilation and integration while supporting clients in the journey toward wholeness.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and learned the ritual skills from John. His identification with the adopting spirit was clear via the message: “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” The acquisition of the necessary ritual skills are formed during testing of loyalty or temptation. A birth or rebirth is part of the tutelage and a familiarity with “The Father” was certainly present in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had no power until he is in contact with Spirit. With Spirit, he heals and accomplishes great things. He says that we too, are capable of such marvels.
Advantages of being both Shaman and Minister:
“ A Theologian studies the celestial realms; a Shaman makes regular visits.” -Rev. B, Soulwhisperer
"The work of a minister is to guide people toward the Divine. For too many centuries the religious hierarchies have pointed to the heavens or elsewhere in the external world to find it.
The sacred is everywhere including (and especially) hidden inside the heart of the human. The Shamans were the Medicine Man/Woman, Wise Elder, and Priest of the ancients who worked collaboratively with Spirit to heal sickness in the body, mind and soul and to enlist the spirit of the individual to participate in its own healing. Shamans know their way around the realms of Spirit and the sacred, as they are frequent fliers."
How my dual spiritual path evolved...
I knew after loosing my dear canine companion of 14 years, a Black Labrador Retriever named Max, that my healing work now needed to include animals. I had watched Max in his role and work as therapy dog, mascot and healer in the halfway house I managed that was full of people with broken spirits. In watching him and seeing the results with residents, I knew he had more intelligence than we attribute to the “average” dog. After his passing, my daughter game me a book about animal communication and it fascinated me enough to look deeper.
A peace activist and advocate for most of my life, I had lost my enthusiasm for anti-war activities. It seemed to me that anti anything was “pushing against” instead of “pushing toward” something else, some evolutional change. What you resist persists, unfortunately.
My study of human consciousness helped to realize that the path to peace was paved in more than one direction and that real change included “feeling into” an new vibration or new way of being. I new nothing that could change feeling and frequency faster than companion animals.
My Native American heritage had led me to research my ancestry and I knew these facets of my life were all somehow linked. I had taken a vow of compassion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it seemed to me that compassion was the way to peace. Animals can teach us compassion not just for non-human animals but human animals as well.
An Interspecies Communication Colleague decided to sponsor a Shaman to present a workshop for graduates of Penelope Smith’s courses. Penelope Smith is the pioneer and grandmother of animal communication. At that workshop I found an innate ability to travel in celestial regions and I developed a respect for the way of the Shaman.
I wanted more teaching so I asked my Shaman if she would consider ongoing training and she agreed. In the Native tradition and work with the cosmic spiral, She has been my Shaman/mentor/teacher now for more than 10 years guiding me through the experiences and training needed for accomplished Shamans. We meet monthly to journey and to debrief.
I experienced a jarring shamanic crisis and immersion in 2000. I received a shamanic initiation with the tribal elders of Siberia. I also studied with and received training from two Hawaiian Shamans and studied and continue to study with my Egyptian Shaman and mentor.
A year later I joined the Seminary for Spiritual Peacemaking. It seemed the logical next step. My Seminary experience was far beyond ordinary. In addition to the usual study of theology, my experience included teachers like James Twyman (Peace Troubadour), Doreen Virtue, Gangaji, Neale Donald Walsch, Jean Houston, Deepak Chopra, Rabbi David, Brother Lawrence, Father Meesi and others. My list of teachers were among the who’s who of spiritual planetary teachers, leaders and Avatars.
I began my ministry working with animals and has expanded to people because of the number of requests and the obvious need for soul retrieval work. I often get calls from people who are recovering from childhood abuse, and especially those grappling with the aftermath of incest. For people with severe childhood injurious abuse issues, it is recommended that the client have a therapist in place.
Shamanic journeying assists to recapture the pieces of the soul that have split off or been taken by powerful authority figures. A power retrieval follows and the individual feels a surge in their personal power.
This work is holy work and the integration of the soul is a sacred journey. The work is approached strictly from this perspective. Guidance is provided along the way. A Divine Team stands ready to assist with the retrieval of soul pieces and the assimilation and integration while supporting clients in the journey toward wholeness.
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