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Shamanism for the Modern World

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There is no doubt our planet and human society is undergoing extraordinary changes and this Shamanic Practice for the modern world is designed to help you explore and develop how you can best contribute to this process, both on a personal, local and planetary level.


The History and Philosophy of Shamanism
Shamanism is a spiritual way of life which sees the individual as fully integrated with the earth. The shamanisitic model of the universe incorporates the apparently invisible world of the spirit, goddesses and gods, nature spirits and devas, the visible world of ecology, the dynamic balance of the seasons, plants, animals, and cycles of life and death, and the social world of cultures, traditions and our ancestors. The Shaman communicates and harmonises with all beings and acknowledges the inner spirit of all that exists, be it an ancient rock, a young plant or even a modern corporate entity.

Human life, health and well-being only exist in connection and balance with this complex ecology. Each Shamanistic tradition emerges out of its local culture and ecology. Being a modern European I base my healing and training in our own European and modern culture.

Human health is seen as fully integrated with the health of the planet and all its species and inhabitants, from the human, animal, vegetable, mineral and spiritual worlds. Modern imbalances between these elements separate us from our own nature. Where, for example, we value the material before the spiritual or the scientific before the traditional, these become causes of human or ecological suffering.

In Shamanism we learn to pay attention to the messages within any crisis, however painful, as guides for learning and change. They can show us the cause of illnesses, recognizing the 'ecological imbalances' and allowing natural change. It is not necessary to try to cure anything. Healthy change occurs naturally when a person embraces the cycles that make up the pains and pleasures of life. We simply have to pay attention and surrender with compassion to this greater wisdom. If we fight against any 'illness' we are moving away from our reality, from the 'here and now' and from our soul.

In this integrated concept of life it is essential to recognise and honour the values and customs of our ancestral tribes and nations whose lives were centred on listening to and working with the spirits of the Earth, and the natural and spiritual ecology, to learn how to live in harmony. This includes an integration of two apparently complementary attitudes:
  • we are small, daughters of the great spirits, we are subject to and must submit to their rules, cycles and will… There is no blame. Everyone is doing the best they can - and at the same time …
  • we are Gods, continually co-creating the world with the Great Spirits. We take full responsibility for our own lives and let go of any sense of being victims of circumstance.

I apply these principles in all the healing and training. The work is an immersion in techniques for a modern Shamanistic practice. This means working with a shamanism for the modern world, with the intention of helping people to address the current crises: economic, ecological, social, demographic …. anything you learn in this work will be directly applicable in your daily life, work, family and friends. It is important that these spiritual experiences are fully integrated into the daily lives of participants (relationships, community) – not simply limited to the healing room. I promote the use of the training group as a micro-cosmos and support group within which to develop trust, explore oneself and test new skills.

Normally when humans reach our limits of pain, crisis or threat, our responses are some kind of fight or flight and a dependence on our neurotic defence mechanisms. Shamanism teaches us to remain fully present, facing death, accepting, breathing, very aware, finding the Ecstasy, and using it in some way for transformation. This is an attitude of full acceptance of what is, with love, trust and compassion. With this presence and compassion, the 'illness' itself teaches us what it needs for transformation.

  • Human Nature
    • Natural Life Cycles
    • Modern Shamanism
    • The Modern World and Context
    • Medicine Wheel
    • Links to psychotherapy, religion and medicine
    • Altered States of Consciousness
  • Creative Bodywork
    • The Inner Child
    • Deep in the body
    • Dance for your Life
    • Shaking Medicine
    • Working Magic
    • Working with Power Objects
    • Shamanic Arts
    • Aikido
  • Community & Relationships
    • Adolescence and the Modern World
    • Community and Individuality
    • Celebrate the Ancestors
    • Rites of Passage
    • Communication and Relationships
    • Women's & Men's Work
    • Men in Movement
    • Parenting
  • Walk your talk
    • Heroes Journey
    • Training
    • Training Process and Evaluation
    • Aberdeen Training
    • Aberdeen Workshops
  • No Way
    • The Shamanic Elder
    • Dying for a Change
    • Consciousness & Love >
      • I Love You
      • Love and Oneness
    • Norman Duncan >
      • Apprentice
    • Value and costs
    • Resources and Links
    • Contact