First Steps Course

INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN THERAPEUTIC SHAMANISM:

SHAMANIC JOURNEY AND POWER ANIMAL RETRIEVAL

Dates: September 10, 17, 24, October 1
Saturdays, 10 am start (UK time), each online meeting is 3 – 4 hours long.

Learn:

What is shamanism?
The history of shamanism and animismThe experience that everything is alive and has a soul. More
How to do a shamanic journey (a step-by-step process)
How to do Power Animal retrieval journey and find your own Power Animal
Why we nearly lost shamanism, why we need it back and how psychotherapy fits in the process
The basics of how to do shamanic healing for other people

£80.00

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IN THIS COURSE:

WHAT IS SHAMANISM?

Shamanism is practical application of animist experience that not just humans, but all things have a soulSoul is of the lower-world and the unique individual that Mother Earth wants us to be, the template for our life. Spirit is of the upper-world and a part of Father Sky. More – a life force and consciousness. The world, and everything in it, is alive, conscious and sacred (albeit conscious in a way that might be quite different to human consciousness).

SPIRIT ANIMALS – FINDING AND RETRIEVING YOUR POWER ANIMAL

It is not the shaman that does the healing, but the guides. Shamans invite the helpful spirits to work through them. Your first and foremost guide working through you should be your Power Animal. ⁠

You are the apprentice and your Power Animal is your principal teacher.

THE SHAMANIC JOURNEY – A JOURNEY TO THE THREE SHAMANIC REALMS

Shamanism tells us that there is another, deeper reality behind this day-to-day, physical one. Whilst shamanic people live with the sense of both ordinary reality and shamanic reality being side-by-side, there are times when they choose to deliberately and temporarily immerse themselves more fully in shamanic reality; to enter one of the shamanic realms and go on a shamanic journey.

HOLLOWING-OUT MEDITATION PRACTICE

Hollowing out means stepping aside from our middle-worldThis physical world, and the energies ‘behind’ it. Everyday reality, both seen and unseen. stuff as much as possible, and from our own agendas and drives, beliefs and preconceptions, so the healing Spirits can communicate and work through us without all that getting in the way.

We need to hollow out, or our journeys will be coloured, driven and distorted by our ego.

DETAILS

The course consists of a mixture of videos, live sessions, theory talks, question-and-answer sessions, group discussion, experiential exercises, and practice. This is delivered in 4 online meetings, with two of the sessions (below) covered in each meeting. Each session is between 1 to 1½ hours long, making the course a total of between 8 to 12 hours in length. The exact content of each session will vary to some extent, as tutors will tailor it to the needs and wishes of the participants. However, the basic structure is as follows:

Session 1

After watching a pre-recorded talk – “What is Shamanism” - given by Paul Francis, the founder of the college, a chance for students to ask the tutors any questions that they have. Then a tutor-led guided journey to the shamanic lower-world.

Session 2

A tutor-led Power Animal retrieval journey. Or, for those who already have a Power Animal, a journey to receive healing.

Session 3

Exploring what a Power Animal is, and how to work with them, in more depth.

Session 4

“Domestication and the Fall” a pre-recorded talk by Paul Francis, on why we nearly lost shamanism and why we need it back. Then a chance to ask tutors questions.

Session 5

Developing what is known as a “hollowing-out” practice – how to make sure that your shamanic journeys are grounded, authentic and Spirit-led.

Session 6

How to do a shamanic healing for someone. Includes looking at interpersonal skills and ethical considerations.

Session 7

Grounding practices. Doing a shamanic “burial” journey to connect to Mother Earth.

Session 8

How to develop your shamanic practice – ideas and practical suggestions for exploring further.

Between sessions, participants will have the option of joining private peer-led online groups, to offer each other encouragement and support, ask questions, and share ideas and experiences. Participants also can submit questions to the course tutor(s), to be answered at the next online session.

Course Requirements

Online Access

Participants will of course have to have an internet-enabled device (computer, tablet or smartphone) and wi-fi access to take part. The platform we use is Zoom meetings – help will be available for getting set up if needed.

Mental Health

Shamanic work can be of great benefit with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. However, shamanic work does require a reasonable degree of mental robustness and groundedness, and emotional resilience. As such, like meditation and other similar practices, it can be contra-indicated in mental health issues such as psychosis, mania, severe depression, or disassociative disorders. So, if you have any mental health issues (current or historical) which you feel may impact on your ability to journey safely, then please do discuss this with the relevant course tutor prior to booking on the course. Any discussion will, of course, be treated confidentially.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

"Honestly, I wasn’t sure how well the courses would work online, but I was wrong to have any doubts. Having experienced the courses now, I’ve been blown away at how well they work, and I actually prefer this format now. This is in no small part to the hard work and skill I can see has been put into finding ways to deliver the material online – as a teacher myself it is very impressive! Well done!"

"I thought it was amazing. I had read all your books, which I love, but I gained an even greater understanding from your teaching it directly, and from your answers to the questions people posed. I love the format − of teaching, then experiential work, and then the group work."

"The course material is utterly absorbing, fascinating and eye-opening. The most amazing thing though is that it is also presented alongside practical exercises that not only bring the theory alive, but which bring almost immediate positive results. I have done a lot of psychotherapy in my life, and followed a lot of different spiritual practices too, but I have never come across something that is so effective so quickly, and with the added (but, not to be sneezed at!) bonus of being immensely enjoyable too."

Course Dates & Details

Sessions will usually be offered at weekly intervals – either one a week for 8 weeks, or two a week over 4 weeks. For details, see the dates below. Contact Us if you have any questions.