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A SHAMANISTIC APPROACH IN MEDICINE
An inspiring account of a veteran neurosurgeon dealing in a spiritual way with compassion for the family of a comatose stroke victim—which the author, Peter de Schweinitz, MD, MSPH, likens to the ancient role of the shaman. He asks: "How do we proceed, then, not only in cases of dying, but at the varied intersections of meaning and health? Must we rely solely on the rational concepts of modern bioethics or is there a primordial language of the soul-a shamanistic inheritance common to human beings-that has survived the diverse evolutions of culture and religion?" Read the full article "Is there a Shaman in the House?" by visiting Medscape.com. Scroll down the page to the article, click on it, and create a free login account to Medscape.com. Posted: 01/09/2011; J Am Board Fam Med. 2010;23(6):794-796. © 2010 American Board of Family Medicine. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three Year Program graduate, Monterey Bay area, California. SHAMANIC THEMES IN CHINA
Shamanic themes are often incorporated into today's ethnic performances in China, according to FSS Field Associate Kun Shi. One such grand performance is called "LiJiang Impressions," directed by Zhang Yimou, on open air stage against the Jade Dargon Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan. Watch the performance on YouTube and notice the shamanic influences. Submitted by Kun Shi, FSS Field Associate, Florida. 
Prof. Kenin-Lopsan in front of his office. Photo by Anna Kjellin.
LIVING TREASURE PROFESSOR KENIN-LOPSAN
FSS Living Treasure, Prof. Mongush Kenin-Lopsan of Tuva was in the news when the cabin he has used for years as his headquarters was transferred to his private ownership. Read the article. © 2001-2010 Tuva-Online News & Information Agency, www.tuvaonline.ru. Submitted by Leslie Conton, FSS Faculty, Washington. BURYAT SHAMANISM ON THE BBC
A short video clip showing a Buryat shaman in Russia, performing a ritual in at a sacred tree. See the video from the BBC Worldwide channel. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three Year Program graduate, Monterey Bay area, California.
SHAMANISM IN FILM
On Friday, March 11, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, there will be a special program on "Shamans and Shamanic Experience in Film," with Dr. Jurgen Kremer, sponsored by The Dream Institute of Northern California. It will examine the changing portrayal of shamans and the shamanic experience in film. It will include clips showing the amazing Pomo healer Essie Parrish, as well as excerpts from popular movies such as Avatar and others. As part of the series, more films with shamanic themes will be offered at later dates. For registration and information, contact The Dream Institute of Northern California, Berkeley: 510-845-1767; dreaminstituteca@gmail.com. SHAMANIC THEORY OF DREAMS
Michael Harner's article, "A Core Shamanic Theory of Dreams," describes the ten principles of his new seminal theory. Read the article. Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Shamanism Annual, December 2010, Issue 23. Copyright © 2010. NOTE: Each issue we plan to post on the website or provide a link to an article or other media with useful information about shamanism or shamanic healing. Check the Articles section for several varied perspectives on shamanism and shamanic healing, many from past issues of Shamanism and the Shamanism Annual, the Foundation's scholarly journal - one of the exclusive benefits of the Circle of the Foundation.
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EMPTYING THE IMAGINATION BUCKET
"How do you know it's not just your imagination?" It's not the first time I've heard that question from someone learning to journey in a Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) workshop. This weekend I attended the FSS Basic workshop taught by Michael Harner and Susan Mokelke. I first sat in circle with Michael over fifteen years ago. The imagination question never came up for me in the beginning, probably because of other spontaneous experiences I'd already had that I knew were beyond my own imagination. But the meaning of imagination, what it really is, keeps changing for me. After journeying for a while I came to mistrust the idea of imagination. It seemed like a small bucket into which we try to cram a lot of things. Are day dreams the same as picturing something? Does creative writing use the same faculty as guided visualization? Where did the image that just popped into my head really come from? Isn't imagination just a way of implying that what you've experienced isn't that important?  Eskimo Nebula. Credit: NASA, Andrew Fruchter and the ERO Team [Sylvia Baggett (STScI), Richard Hook (ST-ECF), Zoltan Levay (STScI)]Imagination as metaphor projection is vital to communication in the spirit world. What often can't be told can be shown. Metaphor is the language of nonordinary reality (NOR). The images I conjure in NOR are always a bit tiring and tiresome when compared with what is communicated by the helping spirits—my own images convey little other than my hopes and just get in the way of the real work. These conjured images have, however, helped me to clearly perceive what I am creating and what the spirits are creating. Discernment is an ongoing part of interacting with NOR. Subtler details are always presenting themselves; the spirits are always teaching through their presence. Everything has its own qualities there, everything communicates its own power. As I heard this participant use the word "imagination," I realized it had lost most of its meaning to me. I'm not comfortable marginalizing experiences as part of some mechanical brain function. If the universe is energetically alive, and our thoughts and perceptions have energy, don't imaginal forces have a life all their own? Maybe the idea of imagination is the only illusion. Perhaps the imaginal metaphors we conjure deserve a new, open-minded reception from us. Not meaningless machinations, but transmissions of consciousness that may impart sacred truths. Tim Flynn, FSS Three-Year Program graduate, Monterey Bay area, California. Contact him through his website. Go to beginning... NOTE: "Healing Words" contains helpful
practices, ideas and
suggestions from shamanic healers, answers to
questions of concern to those
practicing shamanism, and inspiring stories. 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.
(A few succinct paragraphs, please.)
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SUPPORT OUR WORK
For more than two decades, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies has worked to preserve, study, and teach shamanic knowledge for the welfare of the planet and its inhabitants. Michael Harner's pioneering work has led to a revival of shamanic healing in a contemporary context. In addition to its training programs, attended by thousands annually, the FSS works to preserve and revive indigenous shamanism as well researching the practical applications of shamanic healing and knowledge to present day problems. 
FSS Living Treasure Sichingua, Daur shaman (Inner Mongolia). Photo by Meng Huiying.
The work of the Foundation is carried out through the many projects supported by your generous contributions – including the Baniwa Shamanic Revitalization, the Living Treasures of Shamanism program, and the development of new workshops and training programs such as Shamanic Dreamwork™. Read more about the current activities of the Foundation on the Foundation's news blog. Your support is critical and immensely appreciated and we ask you to please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We welcome participation in our Advisory Council to those who pledge $5000 and above annually for three years. Please visit the website to learn more about the many
convenient ways to give, including a gift of stock or charitable IRA rollover; or, email Development
Associate Carolyn
Fee to discuss. We are very grateful for your generosity. Michael Harner Susan Mokelke |
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ABOUT FSS NOTE: You are receiving this email
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Copyright © 2000-2011 Foundation for Shamanic Studies, a non-profit public 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization.
Editor: Susan Mokelke
Foundation for Shamanic Studies
Email:
info@shamanism.org
Editor:
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