Shamanic Healing

Shamanic healing is a method of healing that treats the spiritual aspect of illness (tikkun hanefesh — repair of the soul). Fundamentally, it brings a person back into wholeness (shalom) by helping to maintain a balanced spiritual connection. The wick of our earth spirit (nefesh) is lit by the breath of divine essence (neshamah) and ignites the oil of our heart-soul (ruach). The foundation of this work is "Shema-nik" practice - Listening for the Sacred.

Traditionally, there are three common causes of illness in the shaman’s worldview:

* A person may have lost his or her power, causing depression, chronic illness, or a series of misfortunes. In this case, the shaman journeys to restore that person’s lost power.

* A person may have lost part of their soul or essence, causing soul loss, which sometimes occurs during an emotional or physical trauma, such as accidents, surgery, abuse, the trauma of war, being in a natural disaster, divorce, the death of a loved one, or other traumatic circumstances. Soul loss can result in dissociation, post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, illness, immune deficiency problems, addictions, unending grief, or coma. Soul loss can prevent us from creating healthy relationships and the life we truly wish to live. It is the role of the shaman to track down the parts that have fled and been lost due to trauma by performing a soul retrieval ceremony.

* Another cause of illness from a shamanic perspective would be any spiritual blockages or negative energies a client has taken on due to the loss of his or her power or soul. These spiritual blockages also cause illness, usually in a localized area of the body. It is the role of the shaman to extract and remove these harmful energies from the body.

Psychopomp and Ancestor Work

A shaman heals both the living and the deceased. In healing those who passed away, the shaman performs a psychopomp ceremony of helping those who have died cross over to a comfortable and peaceful place. Healing those already passed can also heal the living by bringing relief to inherited issues and can help remove any intrusive attachments. The ceremony may also include clearing a home or land of spirits that are in a state of unrest.

Healing Process

It is important to understand that the shamanic practitioner works in partnership with his or her helping spirits (malachim). The guiding spirits do the assessment and indicate which healing ceremony is called for. The shaman is an instrument for the sacred wisdom and healing.

Since shamanic healing deals with the spiritual aspects of illness, the results that will manifest emotionally or physically can vary widely. Shamanic healing does not replace the need for traditional psychological and medical treatment.

The shamanic practitioner can provide specific spiritual healing and follow up treatments as necessary. If deeper work is desired, after the initial healing, you may continue to work with the shamanic practitioner on the process of integration.

The purpose of continuing the work would be to find ways to restore balance and harmony in your life and create a positive present and future for yourself through the use of spiritual practices and ceremonies. Life without passion and meaning can result in despair. With shamanic practices you can explore how to create a meaningful life.

Some people feel they have their own support systems in psychotherapy and with other spiritual practices and do not find the need for such follow up work with a shamanic practitioner.

If you are seeking to work with a shamanic healer, an excellent source is Shamanic Practitioners on the web site: Shamanic Practitioners and Teachers. All practitioners listed there have trained with Sandra Ingerman and are of excellent ability and integrity.