I've been reading about shamanism lately and a few questions/thoughts have come up.
If you feel you are suffering from loss of soul or essence, is it possible to retrieve what is lost on by yourself?
What I am thinking is that both the body, and the mind to some degree, seem to have the capacity to self-heal (or perhaps to self-balance might be a better description) so I am wondering if your spirit can also heal itself as part of its own natural adjustment, and if so is there a way to seek this out?
I've struggled with illness, accidents and bouts of depression over recent years but also often have a sense of depersonalisation, a strange dead feeling of watching myself doing things but not being fully here. Have also had sudden panicky sensations that I don't exist (yes I know that sounds mad!). I'm wondering if soul retrieval/shamanic healing might help me but it feels like a big step and I wonder if there is anything I could do for myself first.
Again, I am with you on this one, and was wondering myself whether there was any way to "tempt" the lost soul part(s) back, but it seems to me that everyone who truly believes in their modality will be convinced that it will help you. I'm sure Crowan (or another Shaman practitioner) will offer advice. From what I've learned already, it is a big step, yes, but needn't necessarily commit you to the Shaman way of life.
Hi again Kiga,
I think the easiest way to dip my toe in the water would be to try journeying, using the most straightforward exercise I can find, and see what happens! I will try to suspend my disbelief and will make notes afterwards like I do with dreams. Perhaps when I feel ready I can go to someone who knows what they are doing and have a proper shamanic healing session. I've also found an introductory workshop I'd like to do (following the old gut feelings) with dates in May or October so we'll see.
Jane
The book by Alberto Villoldo Mending the Past and Helaing the Future with soul retrieval will walk you through it step by step - no need to become a shaman for this.
The book by Alberto Villoldo Mending the Past and Helaing the Future with soul retrieval will walk you through it step by step - no need to become a shaman for this.
We’ve had this conversation before, Chris. I still haven’t read Villoldo’s book – I must do that soon.
Kiga and Mouse16 -
I don’t deny that if you are at exactly the right place and your missing soul is at exactly the right place, then you could –maybe- get it back. But please consider these points first-
·What if the soul part is in the land of the dead?
·What if it is in the Void?
·What if it is held by someone else?
·Can you be sure of getting out any intrusions first? How will you do this?
·How will you get the soul part back into you?
·Does the soul part need healing first? Can you do this?
·Do you know how to integrate the soul part?
·Do you, with a missing soul part, have enough power to go to the realms where your soul part is?
·It is you that the soul part left. Why would it come back?
·Has the situation that made it go changed enough for any purpose to be served by its return?
·Why do you want to do it yourself?
If you could already journey, then I would suggest that you ask your spirits what to do – and ask them why doing it yourself is not a good idea. Not being able to journey, how are you going to check on answers to the above questions?
There is a danger in being too self-sufficient and that is when we become ever more isolated from others. Why would you want to be so separate? Why would you not want the support of someone who is experienced and knowledgeable throughout this process?Not even native shamans are 'their own shamans'. If they are ill, they go to another shaman for healing. I am convinced that the connection with others who care enough about us to want to help heal us is an essential part of that healing.
Mouse – I would recommend doing the workshop and then continuing with journeying, rather than try to do it from a book. If you do want to try before May, then choose your book carefully. Simple exercises are great but sometimes miss out things. On a workshop you will have support and an expert on hand if anything goes wrong. Once you can journey – once you have met a power animal and have visited the Upper and Lower Worlds, and you have done a journey for another person (all of which you will get on a reputable workshop) then consider joining the London Open Drumming Group which meets monthly and which will continue the support that is so important.
It's good to have your thoughts on this. I would like to try journeying before the workshop but my aim is to keep it very simple. There is an introductory book by Sandra Ingerman that has journeying exercises, I will use these as a guide with the intention of getting a feel of things, and maybe just asking for some guidance. As I might not be able to make the May workshop ( it's quite a way for me) I will probably go to the Oct one in London. It would be good to get a feel of things before then.
Despite all my questioning I have felt such a pull towards doing this for a long time and now it has come up again out of the blue to tap me on the shoulder it feels like the right time. It has also struck me reading the book(s) that I have already journeyed in my own way without knowing what I was doing. Journeying reminds me a little of Jung's 'active imagination' process - I tried this when studying art therapy (just a 6 month foundation course).
So, basically, I think that soul retrieval would really help me, given what I've mentioned below, but until I find the right person to help will have to wait and see.
There is an introductory book by Sandra Ingerman that has journeying exercises, I will use these as a guide with the intention of getting a feel of things, and maybe just asking for some guidance. As I might not be able to make the May workshop ( it's quite a way for me) I will probably go to the Oct one in London. It would be good to get a feel of things before then.
While still thinking that a workshop is a better first step, if I had to recommend a book, Sandra’s is the one I would go for. If you do try it and need someone to answer questions afterwards, contact me either on these pages or privately. I’ll do my best to help.
Jonathan Horwitz is teaching an Introductory course in London, in October. Is that the one you are thinking of attending? If so, you'll love it. Jonathan is a fantastic teacher.
Yep, that is the one, it seems a long way away at the moment but am looking forward to it.
Crowan, I'm going to PM you a couple of questions on journeying, I hope you don't mind.
Just waking this one up with a wee question. If a shamanic practioner does a soul retrieval for you, are you normally required to journey as well or do they do this alone?
Just waking this one up with a wee question. If a shamanic practioner does a soul retrieval for you, are you normally required to journey as well or do they do this alone?
During the soul retrieval itself, no. You simply relax as the practitioner goes to fetch your soul part. Afterwards, I find it useful to get a client who can journey to go to meet the returned part. Most clients can't journey, however, so the question doesn't arise.
During the soul retrieval itself, no. You simply relax as the practitioner goes to fetch your soul part. Afterwards, I find it useful to get a client who can journey to go to meet the returned part. Most clients can't journey, however, so the question doesn't arise.
Thanks, I hope to have a soul retrieval done after my course next month. Something tells me this will be a big thing for me and that I have to wait until then.
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