Dear friends,
The role of the shaman is to tend to the spiritual well-being of people, animals, and the planet in partnership with the helping spirits. Classically, individuals were called to the path of the shaman by way of spiritual initiations, which occurred within the context of communities that understood their meaning and significance, and welcomed the healing gifts a shaman would bring.
Countless indigenous lineages that were infused by the practice of shamanism have disintegrated, and along with them, the view that spiritual well-being is just as essential to overall wellness as physical, mental, and emotional health. The heart-breaking reality that many of the remaining shamanic communities are also at risk necessitates an inquiry into the preservation and evolution of shamanism in the 21st century, as well as what it means to be truly healthy on every level.
For their part, the helping spirits have consistently demonstrated the ability to adapt to the changing mores of societies world-wide; shamanism has existed on every continent for tens of thousands of years, and throughout that time, as is the case today, the spirits have managed to make their intentions clearly known when it comes to choosing individuals to act as their intermediaries.
The question that I’ve been asking has to do with our part. How, as 21st century Westerners in the midst of a period of considerable global uncertainty, do we respond to the call from spirit to attend to the spiritual well-being of one another and the planet, when the context for understanding and acting upon that call is so tenuous?
The guidance I’ve received in response to that question is to create a community whose purpose is to give rise to heartful and skillful shamanic healers who can respond capably to the spiritual needs of our times. Therein lies the inspiration for Becoming a Shamanic Healer: A Three-Year Initiation and Professional Training, which begins in September, 2012.
The intention of the training is to bring together an intimate community of people who are being invited by spirit to become shamanic healers. Together we will develop the necessary understanding, skills, and experience for providing shamanic healing effectively, safely, and sustainably.
Please click here to read the complete curriculum and learn about the application process.
Yours in ordinary reality, non-ordinary reality, and virtual reality,
Julie
