An interview with a contemporary shaman
This is the 1st of a multi-part interview with Christine Wallace, a Seattle-based full time shamanic healer and certified Firewalk instructor who has studied with both indigenous and core shamanic teachers since 1998.
What is "Contemporary Shamanism"?
"For something that seems steeped in mystery, it has made a tremendous resurgence in our contemporary culture. Shamanism is considered humankind's first spiritual practice and it teaches us that everything is alive and inter-connected. More and more we are awakening to this notion of interconnection and the understanding that as we heal ourselves, that healing has a rippling effect in the world."
Why the interest now?
"We live in rapidly transitioning times, and part of the old paradigm included the idea that the answers to our questions lie outside of us, in an external authority. However, this is akin to giving our power away to another in the hopes that "they" can provide reasons for the experiences we have in our lives. Shamanism is a spiritual system of direct revelation, a way to reclaim our power, re-connect with our intuitive sense and access our internal wisdom. Small wonder at its resurgence!"
"When we begin to understand that each of us carry powerful wisdom, wisdom that can support and assist us in our personal growth and evolution, we are on the road of empowerment. We can better assess situations and make better decisions - decisions that are about a win/win for all involved. From an empowered perspective, we can better choose those from whom we seek assistance and support - and know that they have our highest good at heart. We can also know that our being empowered is in service to the greater good of all!"
References:
The Way of the Shaman, Michael Harner
Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, Mircea Eliade
Christine Wallace may be reached at:
Phone: 206-736-2446
Email: info@christinemwallace.com
Web site: http://www.christinemwallace.com
Mark Blair
The Crying Shaman
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