SHAMANIC HEALING PRACTICES

WHAT IS SHAMANISM?

Over tens of thousands of years, our ancient ancestors (the grandmothers and grandfathers) 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.

There are a number of relatively common practices and experiences in traditional shamanism which are being investigated by modern researchers. While the older traditional practices are ignored by some researchers, others have begun to explore these older techniques. The emergence of the new field of the "anthropology of consciousness" and the establishment of Transpersonal Psychology have opened up the investigation of research into the nature and history of consciousness in ways not previously possible. Outside of academic circles a growing number of people have begun to make serious inquiries into ancient shamanic techniques for entering into altered states of consciousness.

Shamanism is classified by anthropologists as an archaic magico-religious phenomenon in which the shaman is the great master of ecstasy. Shamanism itself, was defined by the late Mircea Eliade as a technique of ecstasy. A shaman may exhibit a particular specialty. When a specialization is present the most common is as a healer. The distinguishing characteristic of shamanism is its focus on an ecstatic trance state in which the soul of the shaman is believed to leave the body and ascend to the sky (Upper World) or descend into the earth (Lower World). The shaman makes use of spirit helpers, with whom he or she communicates, all the while retaining control over his or her own consciousness.

Traditional shamans developed techniques for lucid dreaming and what is today called the out-of-the-body experience. We call this the Shamanic Journey. These methods for exploring the inner landscape are being investigated by a wide range of people. Some are academics, some come from traditional societies and others are modern practitioners of non-traditional shamanism. With this renewed interest in these older traditions, these shamanic methods of working with dreams and being conscious and awake while dreaming are receiving increased attention. The ability to consciously move beyond the physical body is the particular specialty of the shaman. These journeys of Soul may take the shaman into other realms, higher levels of existence or to parallel physical worlds or other regions of this world. Shamanic JourneyWork, is in most instances, an experience not of an inner imaginary landscape, but is reported to be the shamans flight beyond the limitations of the physical body.

Dr. Miller has had extensive training in shamanism and shamanic healing. He has trained extensively with the Foundation For Shamanic Studies having completed all of their basic workshops and the 2-week Intensive Training in Core Shamanism/Shamanic Healing with Michael Harner, PhD and Sandra Ingerman. He is also a graduate of their 3-year Advanced Training in Shamanism and Shamanic Healing. Dr. Miller has completed a 2-year program of "wisdom" teachings related to Andean Shamanism, the Andean Medicine Wheel, and Mesa Work with Dr. Richard Sandore in his "Entering The Field" apprenticeship.

His shamanic training has also included work with quantum physicist/shamanic practitioner Claude Poncelot, PhD in the area of shamanic shapeshifting. Dr. Miller is currently working with don Alberto Taxo. Don Alberto is a Master Iachak (Shaman) of the Cotopaxi people of Ecuador. Dr. Miller has trained extensively with Sandra Ingerman (mental health professional, best-selling author, shamanic healer, and world expedition leader) in the areas of Soul Retrieval and Medicine For The Earth. He has also completed her "Teacher Training" for Medicine For The Earth. Dr. Miller is a national lecturer in the area of shamanic applications to contemporary health care. Having recently lectured in Santa Fe and Orlando, he will be presenting in March 2003 (in Seattle) for Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine on the topic of JourneyWork at their "Medicine And The Planet" Conference. He is also currently being sponsored to organize and present a conference in June 2003 in Santa Fe, NM at a conference entitled "The 2nd Annual Conference in Medical Shamanism - Envisioning a New Medicine".

We offer a variety of shamanic healing modalities. These include (but are not limited to):

SOUL RETRIEVAL

Sometimes, when we are injured, suffer a loss, or endure a major physical, emotional, or spiritual trauma; we can suffer Soul Loss. This is much like the analogy of when someone strikes a flint with a hammer, a piece of the flint may be split off and get permanently dislodged from the whole. If we are suffering from Soul Loss, we are not WHOLE. Loss of parts of our soul can leave us with a loss of Power. This may make us more susceptible to disease, dis-ease, and misfortune.

During Soul Retrieval work, Dr. Miller utilizes his extensive training in shamanic journey work to explore the regions of the Universe that may house these lost soul parts and retrieves them to the client so that the energy , power, and gifts of those parts can be reintegrated.

POWER ANIMAL RETRIEVAL

Classically, shamans have worked with allies, teachers, and power animals. The energies of these allies are available in the realms that the shaman works in to assist in healing and everyday problem solving. Clients often find a supreme benefit in having their power animals retrieved for them. We also teach lessons on how to work with and keep power animals. Again, power is necessary to maintain and preserve wellness and health.

INTRUSION EXTRACTION HEALING

Much illness, from the perspective of the shaman, is caused by “energies” that have been improperly instilled into our existence. This might have occurred for a variety of reasons, including trauma, abuse, and sorcery. When we carry these types of “energies” within our existence, they “rob” us of power and deplete our ability to maintain health and wellness.

DRUMMING HEALING

For centuries, indigenous healers have used the sounds and vibrations of the drum to energize or alter the energy fields of their clients. This is done to bring harmony and balance back to the energetic system surrounding the human body.

ANDEAN MESA HEALING

The Andean tradition has utilized the Mesa for many centuries. The Mesa is a collection of power object that the shaman has in his possession. They are traditionally carried in a textile know as a mastana. The Mesa is portable and it is opened and specially arranged at different settings while doing healing work and other shamanic ceremonies. These objects are also used to manifest healing energy during individual and group healing sessions. Dr. Miller does sessions that utilize his “Healing Mesa” with individuals or groups. Individual sessions are generally comprised of 2-hour sessions that include conversation, consultation, drumming, rattling, singing, and working with the shamanic spirit allies and the objects on his Mesa.