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Foundation for Shamanic Studies E-Newsletter
www.shamanism.org
August 2008
Vol. 2, Issue 4
In This Issue
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Those in the shamanic state of consciousness are able to enter into and perceive "nonordinary" reality. Nonordinary reality is not a consensual reality, and indeed if it were, shamanic practitioners would have no function, for it is their responsibility to perceive successfully what others do not. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the shamanic practitioner is the ability to move back and forth at will between ordinary and nonordinary reality with discipline and purpose in order to heal and help others.
— Michael Harner and Sandra Harner, in "Core Practices in the Shamanic Treatment of Illness," 25th Anniversary Issue of Shamanism, 2005



Greetings
nature_hands

Having just completed the "Shamanism and the Spirits of Nature" workshop, I was reminded again of the power of nature to heal. No matter how busy one becomes with ordinary matters, just spend some time with a favorite tree, become one with the ocean's rhythm, listen to a rock, discover a helpful message in a cloud's ever-shifting contours — you will be soothed and inspired, balance restored. The messages from the spirits of nature are simple and profound: You belong. Find your own rhythm. Take what you need. Give everything back in service of life.

Susan Mokelke
Executive Director

Submit your ideas and news for the Articles and Healing Words sections to the Editor.

drum
Advanced Residential Workshops in 2008: A new Three-Year Program in Advanced Initiations in Shamanism & Shamanic Healing will start October 26-31, 2008 in the San Francisco Bay Area, taught by Alicia L. Gates, including weekly discussion sessions with guest Michael Harner. The East Coast Two-Week Intensive in Advanced Shamanic Healing will be held November 2-13, 2008 in Madison, Virginia, taught by Nan Moss & David Corbin. The new West Coast Two-Week Intensive in Advanced Shamanic Healing will be held March 23 - April 3, 2009 in the San Francisco Bay Area, taught by Alicia L. Gates, with two discussion sessions with guest Michael Harner.

FSS Circle The enhanced FSS Circle, for all participants in the Circle of the Foundation, is live on the Foundation's website. List your shamanic healing or divination practice on the Foundation's website! Now all members of the Circle of the Foundation can post their shamanic healing or divination service - and, for qualifying Circle participants, even add a description and photo. If you are a member of the Circle of the Foundation, you can login now to activate your listing. To join the Circle of the Foundation, click here. Receive valuable
Petroglyph Circle
personal benefits and see how you can support shamanism worldwide by becoming part of the Foundation's shamanic community. Participants in the Circle can also login to access exclusive benefits, including the FSS Forum and archival audio talks by Michael Harner. Once logged in you can visit the "My FSS" section, where you can edit your contact information, create or edit your online Shamanic Services Listing or Donor Bio (for qualifying participants), and update your listing for the voluntary Circle of the Foundation Directory in the FSS journal The Shamanism Annual. Important notice to members of the Circle of the Foundation: If you want to be listed in the print Directory in The Shamanism Annual, please login to "My FSS" and update your directory listing. The deadline to be listed in the 2008 journal is September 30, 2008. Contact info@shamanism.org for more information.

Raymond Hoferer, of the Walker River Paiute People, passed away on August 5, 2008, at his home on the Walker River Paiute Reservation in Schurz, Nevada. Raymond, who was locally called the "Ghost Dance Chief," brought back his version of the Ghost Dance of Wovoka to the Walker River Reservation to benefit his and other peoples and to restore the native habitat. Michael Harner and the Foundation had a long association with Raymond and he will be missed. Read the article from the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The Foundation recently held a special benefit "Shamanism & the Spirits of Nature" workshop with Sandra Harner and Susan Mokelke. The workshop was held in the beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area overlooking the ocean and California hills. Proceeds from the workshop will help support the programs and work of the Foundation. Thank you to all who attended!

The support of members of the FSS Circle of the Foundation helps preserve the knowledge and practice of shamanism among indigenous peoples, and the renewal of shamanism in a contemporary context. We invite you to join the Circle by making a donation. Receive exciting benefits when you join as a Shamanic Partner, including the online Shamanic Services Listings and FSS Forum, access to archival talks by Michael Harner, and gifts of DVDs, books, and CDs - and support shamanism and shamanic healing worldwide. Thank you!

Members of the Circle of the Foundation
We invite you to submit a photo of one of your creative works related to shamanism. Periodically, we will select a few of these photos to post on the FSS website. Photos of works might include paintings, sculpture, drums/rattles, weavings, and photos of shamanic places, etc. (Submissions must follow the guidelines below.) Click here to view the video of some of the submissions. Share your work with us!

Guidelines for submission of photos of shamanic artwork:
1. Must be a member of the Circle of the Foundation;
2. Must be the creator of the work submitted and hold the copyright;
3. No photos of people, please, unless you have a written, signed release to publish the photo;
4. One photo only per person.
Please include your name and a one-sentence description or title of the work. Send the photo as an email attachment to the Editor, Susan Mokelke.
Restoring and Dreaming
Shamanism in China
Thank you to Foundation Field Associate Kun Shi, for submitting this list of shamanic cultural activity in China, now increasing rapidly. Morin Dawa Museum of Shamanic Culture. The largest museum solely for shamanism, with a 21-meter bronze shaman statue completed in Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner in eastern Inner Mongolia.
Shaman, Bronze Statue 21-Meter Bronze Shaman Statue
Click for photos (text in Chinese).
Exhibition Hall of Shamanic Culture, in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang (north of Jilin). Click for photos (text in Chinese).
Shamanic Theme Park, in Changchun, with many sites including the Path of Nisan Shamaness and the Sky Pillar. Click for photos (text in Chinese).
For background information on ethnic minorities in China and their cultures, read The China Report.

Amazon Rain Forest Surui Tribe uses Google satellite technology to help protect its 600,000-acre reserve from illegal miners and loggers. Read the article from the San Francisco Chronicle - SF Gate. Read how indigenous peoples and conservationists are working together to preserve the Amazon forests. This article includes an interview with a Trio shaman. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three-Year program graduate, Santa Cruz, California.

View this inspiring video about the deep connection among two people and an African lion.

Native American Mohegan Tribe has reclaimed, restored, and sanctified its ancient burial grounds in Norwich, Connecticut. Read the article from Indian Country Today. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three-Year program graduate, Santa Cruz, California.

SUBMIT NEWS: We invite you to submit news about shamanism for our readers. Please submit no more than a few brief paragraphs, including the source of the news item to the Editor.

The History and Work of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, by Michael Harner. Dr. Harner provided this fascinating look at the evolution and work of the Foundation for the 25th Anniversary Issue of Shamanism. Read the article. From Shamanism, 25th Anniversary Issue, Vol. 18, Nos. 1 & 2, 2005.

Note: Each issue we plan to post on the website or provide a link to an article of interest. Check the Articles section for several varied perspectives on shamanism and shamanic healing, many from past issues of Shamanism, the Foundation's scholarly journal -- one of the exclusive benefits for the Circle of the Foundation.
Healing
Learning from the Spirits of Plants
In making friends with a number of plant spirits, I have generally found that each, when used in healing, is a sort of specialist in bringing balance and harmony into the lives of clients.
Plant Spirits
Some plant spirits specialize in bringing warmth into people's hearts, some bring a sense of joy and laughter, some give physical or emotional strength, while others purify or open the heart. Some plants are not interested in healing at all, but may simply bring joy through their beauty or provide some sort of nourishment. Each plant has a song. The spirit of the plant can be summoned by learning and using this song. The spirits of plants will instruct you on how to use them to help others. They are interested in our well-being and are willing to help us if we only discover their ways and remember to ask them.

— Don Ensslin, excerpted from Shamanism, 25th Anniversary Issue, 2005, Vol. 18, Nos. 1 & 2. Don is a Certified Shamanic Counselor® (Harner Method) and has a shamanic healing practice in southern California.

NOTE: "Healing Words" contains helpful ideas and suggestions from shamanic healers, and answers to questions of concern to those practicing shamanism. FSS presents them as a service to the shamanic community without endorsement; as always, each shamanic healer is responsible for using these ideas in a responsible and ethical manner. If you would like to SUBMIT A HELPFUL TIP, email the Editor. (No more than two succinct paragraphs, please.)

About FSS
Internationally renowned anthropologist Michael Harner pioneered the return of shamanism and the shamanic journey to contemporary life. In 1985, he founded the Foundation for Shamanic Studies to preserve, study, and transmit shamanic knowledge worldwide. Join the thousands each year who take the Foundation's rigorous training in Core Shamanism, the universal and near universal principles and practices of shamanism not bound to any specific cultural group or perspective.

About the E-Newsletter
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies E-newsletter is issued bimonthly and contains information and articles about shamanism, shamanic healing, and the Foundation's activities. It is designed to offer interesting and practical information for shamanic healers, students, and those interested in shamanism. We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please contact the Editor, Susan Mokelke.

NOTE: You are receiving this email from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies because you are a member-donor or have taken a Foundation course or otherwise indicated your interest. For environmental and economic reasons, FSS will send out less paper communications. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, including course schedules and information relevant to the practice of shamanism, add info@shamanism.org to your address book today. You may also update your email address by clicking on the Update Profile/Email Address link below.

Thank you!

Copyright © 2000-2008 Foundation for Shamanic Studies, a non-profit incorporated educational organization.
Editor: Susan Mokelke
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