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LIVE JOURNEYING SESSIONS – Q&A

Hi!

As some of you may already be aware, we’re making changes to the way we deliver our live sessions. Others may not know about this yet, so I wanted to take a moment to explain these changes, as I’ve been receiving quite a few emails with questions.

Background on Our Live Sessions

When we first started offering online sessions in 2020, we experimented with different formats before settling on a structure: a theory session on a particular topic, a short tea break, and then a live session. This worked well but resulted in four-hour-long live sessions—about 1.5 to 2 hours of theory, a break, and then another 2 hours for journeying, breakout room discussions, and sharing. While this approach was effective, it was also intense. Over time, it became clear that people were finding these sessions exhausting, and attendance started to decline. As tutors, we found them demanding as well.

In the summer of 2023, we decided to change things by offering theory as pre-recorded material, allowing live sessions to focus solely on journeying and sharing in breakout rooms. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have no plans to revert to the old format. However, one consequence—anticipated to some degree—was that participants weren’t always up to date with the latest theory before joining a live session. This led to people engaging in different types of journeys within the same session. Some might be working on burials, others on soul retrievals, and so on.

Initially, we monitored whether this would pose a problem. One of the students raised it as a concern, so we gathered feedback from many others. The consensus was clear: while having participants at different stages changed the dynamics of live sessions, it wasn’t a disadvantage. People still gained just as much from the sessions, particularly from sharing their journeys and receiving feedback. Listening to others’ journeys also provided valuable insights, reinforcing that there doesn’t need to be a strict link between theory progress and live session participation.

WHY THE CHANGE?

Especially since the shift to pre-recorded theory sessions, students are no longer required to attend live sessions. In fact, about half of our students don’t participate in them at all. This raised a concern: many were paying for live sessions but not using them.

The reasons for non-attendance vary. Some students face practical barriers, such as time zone differences – particularly those in Australia and New Zealand. While we have tried to offer time slots suited to those regions, we haven’t yet seen enough demand to sustain separate sessions. However, we continue to monitor this and will reconsider if numbers grow.

Others simply prefer not to join live sessions. Some are introverted, private, or uncomfortable on camera. That’s completely fine; participation in live sessions is not mandatory for completing courses.

That said, we’ve received consistent feedback over the years from those who do attend: they find live sessions immensely valuable. The sense of connection and community is particularly important. Many students don’t have anyone in their day-to-day lives with whom they can discuss this work, so the live sessions offer a space where they feel understood and supported. They also help students stay motivated, deepen their shamanic practice, and engage regularly with journeying. Breakout room discussions allow them to clarify teachings and gain new perspectives, making the experience more enriching.

The New Approach for 2025

Given these factors, we’ve decided to change how we offer live sessions. The reality is that participants are at different stages in their journeys, even when they’re following the same course. So there’s no longer a reason for live sessions to be tied to specific courses.

What’s changing?

  • Live sessions will now be open to all students who have completed the First Steps course, regardless of whether they are currently enrolled in another course.
  • The sessions will function as stand-alone journeying and community sessions rather than being linked to specific modules.
  • If you’re not currently enrolled in a course but want to stay connected to the Three Ravens community and keep up your practice, you can now sign up for live sessions without needing to be on a course.
  • If you are taking a course, you can still use live sessions to practise what you’re learning.
Specific Changes to the Format
  • Weekly sessions in blocks of six: Previously, there were four sessions over six weeks at varying times. Now, they will be held at the same time each week for consistency.
  • Facilitated by multiple tutors: Each session will be led by two of the following three facilitators – myself, Cat, and Kaja. We will rotate, with each of us facilitating four out of six sessions in a block.
  • Not teaching sessions: These are purely for journeying and sharing, not for Q&A or theoretical discussions. Questions can be asked in the Signal groups or on the website forums, where I actively engage with students.
  • Session structure:
    • A brief introduction and breakout room meet-and-greet (around 10 minutes).
    • A chance to clarify any details about the type of journey you want to do.
    • The journey itself (about 20 minutes).
    • Sharing and discussing experiences in breakout rooms.
    • Returning to the main group for any final reflections before closing.
Final Thoughts

If you haven’t attended a live session before but the idea of community, connection, and deepening your shamanic practice resonates with you, consider joining. The new structure makes them more accessible and flexible while maintaining the aspects students have found most valuable.

We look forward to seeing you there!


With gratitude to you all,
Paul Francis

January 2025

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