Shamanic studies: classes, training, and information.
Courses in shamanism and resources
for the solitary practitioner
or professional healer.
Steve Serr, M.Div., Ph.D.
I'm Steve, and welcome to Shamanism - 101.
For too long, there has been a shortage of widely accessible resources for solid shamanic practice. I believe that access to reliable information about well-grounded and solid shamanic healing is your birthright. I created this shamanic portal to provide access to good information about shamanic healing and hopefully, help correct a few misconceptions about it.
This curriculum in shamanic healing has come about for three main reasons: First, as a result of my own practice and observing the work of others, it is obvious that effective shamanic work must rest on a foundation of solid practices and techniques. It is also clear that you deserve to have access to this education, but not at a cost that prohibits the vast majority from receiving it. Shamanic studies should be available throughout our world at a price you can afford, and the internet is a wonderful way to help this happen.
Secondly, this work is far more than mere ritual or healing technique: it is a spiritual practice. Unlike the way a lot of shamanism is ladled out these days, I am not going to simply give you a weekend of experiences and send you on your way. Sure, a lot can be passed on during a weekend retreat: I have taken plenty of these myself - and, spent a fortune in the process. However, there is no way around the fact that the weekend - even a weeklong - workshop is simply not enough. These experiences take time to digest, and our growth and training takes time to mature. It is far better to study over time so that we can secure the work in our bones... not just in our head.
Thirdly - and this is of particular importance to me - excellence in shamanic healing can only be realized when the practitioner works from an understanding and deep commitment to an strong ethical code, and do so, from a whole-hearted measure of compassion. As Antone de Saint-Exupery wrote in The Little Prince, "it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye". I want you to have a rich, heart-based practice, and I mentor shamanic healers whose heart is the basis from which they work.
In a larger sense, I believe the beauty and timeliness of the natural spirituality of the Earth, from which shamanism arose as an expression, can bring a healing voice to an era that is desperate to reconnect with the Whole from which we came. By studying shamanism and integrating a shamanic world view in ourselves, we are reconnecting to our Earth. And, as we 'walk our talk', we are encouraging the others around us to remember this connection as well. It all spills out and has an effect. We can make a difference.
It is one of the least of concerns to me whether you consider shamanism to be something spiritual, psychological, or even physical. In my experience, it doesn't really seem to matter how we conceptually frame things, for the world is what it is, regardless of what we call it or how we choose to understand it. It is the plain fact that different cultures and practitioners understand the reasons for the effectiveness of shamanic healing in many, widely differing ways.
I encourage you to experience and then 'frame' shamanism - and anything that goes into it - for yourself. Come to your own conclusions about the 'hows' or 'whys', for this is your path. The last thing I would want is for you to simply incorporate my understandings. It is actually, the nature of the shaman to challenge the automatic consensus of reality. In fact, this is the shaman's expertise!
My goal has been that whether you are just beginning to study shamanism, or whether you are a seasoned practitioner seeking to develop your skills, that you would find in these courses the information and be directed through the experiences, that will definitely move you forward.
What sorts of things will you learn?
Shamanic Reality. What's real in a shamanic, Earth-centered way of understanding? How does this brings a much needed, healthy corrective to the common Western Western world view? Increasing numbers of people around our globe are discovering that certain misguided religious ideas and the effects of 'civilization' have left us alienated from our natural world, such that human beings have become deadened, even to the living, breathing fullness of their own natural selves. As a consequence, it has become the 'norm' among people today to treat the Earth and other with disrespect and separation. They terrorize each other, and the planet. Now, somewhat surprised at how miserable they feel, they have find themselves in a kind of a self-imposed alienation from their own tribe of other human beings, and from their Earth-home.
Shamanic studies offer an extraordinary voice in this era, one that helps us reach back to a healthy connection with the miracle of our life, and help fulfill our longing for the affection and respect we could have for this Earth and each other. In a very real sense, shamanic studies lead us back to the vital, joyful, and compassionate powers of our true, full nature.
Western Shamanic History. Did you know that most likely, your family lineage had a shamanic, and definitely an Earth-centered spiritual past? Our memory of such an ancient, world-wide wisdom has been nearly lost over time, especially over the last several thousand years. Students learning shamanism today, especially those with a European ancestry, are surprised and delighted to find themselves in the process, recovering their own lost shamanic and Earth-centered spiritual roots.
The Shamanic World View. In the course of your studies, you will experience how a shaman sees and works with the world. Did you know that for the shamanic practitioner, mind and world are interwoven as one? The shamanic healing practitioner challenges the common, and often blithely accepted 'consensus reality'. As I said above, this is the particular expertise of the shaman! Classes in shamanism encourage us to look deeply at the world and understand it in a way that can facilitate a much needed healing for ourselves, each other, and our Earth.
Shamanic Ethics. Goodness knows there are plenty of people in every career, from politics to business, whose ethics became, shall we say... 'softened' once they became powerful. Shamans are - naturally - people too, so it shouldn't be any surprise to hear that this problem has also appeared in the history of shamanic practice.
When we make the decision to step forward and bring our compassionate healing attention to the world, we will be facing crucial ethical decisions. I make it a fundamental part of my curriculum that each student looks closely at the ethics of shamanic healing and of caregiving in general, and develops a clear sense of their own ethical understanding.
Shamanic Healing. Perhaps it seems a 'no-brainer' that shamanic studies and the curriculum in contemporary medical schools are very different! But what is it that makes shamanic healing, 'shamanic'?
The nature of reality is seen very differently by a shamanic practitioner from that seen by many other healing modalities, including that of the contemporary 'medical model'. Hence, the understanding of illness differs dramatically and the paths of shamanism and Western medicine diverged. On the other hand, the 'hard' sciences such as organic chemistry 'de-spiritualized' the healing process, and with this was lost the particular wellness that a shamanic world view provides.
Shamanic Trance. The shamanic journey, the 'ecstasy' that is so often referred to in discussions of shamanic practice... what is it? Shamanic healers for tens of thousands of years have known from direct experience that shamanic trance, during the shamanic journey or merging with compassionate spirit helpers, could circumvent the restraints of ordinary reality. Recent research has begun to point to some of the reasons why.
Our True Self. As the nature of reality is enlarged and deepened through our understanding of shamanism and our connection with our Earth, we widely discover a deepening connection with our true self. The limited, shortened sense of selfhood so familiar in the contemporary world finds a way to heal, with the simple and straightforward ways of shamanism. Shamanic healing helps return us to our vital fullness as a whole and empowered person, as we recover and reintegrate with our true nature.
Shamanic Practice and Ritual
The simplest way to take the greatest perspective on compassionate shamanic practice and ritual is by remembering that shamanism relies on a connection and integration in the inclusive 'community' of our whole Earth. Shamanic spirituality, practices and lifestyles provide an avenue of natural healing, relying on knowledge gleaned within the long histories of widely differing cultures and from around the world.
At its essence, shamanism is about our empowerment as our full, true self, and our reintegration with the deep, rich tapestry of life.
Shamanic Journey. Also known as the shamanic trance (or ecstasy), the shamanic journey is considered a 'hallmark' of shamanism. Despite any mystery about it, given a little bit of preliminary guidance, a shamanic journey is actually, very easy to take! I believe that the shamanic journey is your birthright. I have provided extremely thorough instructions in how to journey. Whether you choose to study with me through Ocean Seminary College, or as an independent student through this website, or even if you decided to come meet me and work individually or study at one of our training retreats, you can be assured that you will be mentored confidently in this crucial art throughout your education.
Shamanic Cleansing You will be provided with instructions for cleansing yourself with sage; either a standing style cleansing (for another), or a kneeling style cleansing for preparing oneself. Whether doing a personal cleansing or assisting another, these are wonderful ways to ground, center and focus our heart and intention as we prepare for shamanic work.
Opening Circle (or 'Calling in the Directions'). As many people are seeking to rediscover a natural spirituality of the Earth, I have waiting for you a full discussion and description of an extraordinary ritual which supports this re-orientation into an Earth-centered spirituality. Variously known as 'Calling the Directions', 'Calling the Spirit of the Directions' or 'Calling in the Spirits', this ritual is a perfect way to open a sacred circle for yourself or with others, so that we may center ourselves in our wondrous world, ground ourselves amidst the daily bustle, and orient ourselves to the fullness of existence. It is from here that we can step forward into our practice. Though some of the particulars of Calling in the Directions vary between peoples and cultures, its essential nature is easily recognized anywhere around the world.
Shamanic Spirit Teachers, Power Animals,
and the Shamanic World View
Shamanic Spirits, Worlds. As you learn the healing practices of shamanism, you will discover animal spirits (power animals), spirit teachers, and your true self. You will discover the shamanic upper world, shamanic lower world, and shamanic middle world. Somewhere amidst all of this, you will rediscover the spiritual healing and wellness of our global ancestors, waiting to be rediscovered by a civilization where this was forgotten.
Power Animals. What are animal spirits? Animal spirits (power animals) bring us, unsurprisingly, power, but they are also guides and protectors. Power animals empower us with strength, courage, tenacity, vigor, and any other aspect of our full, true self. We all have animal spirits just waiting to be discovered, and with whom we can be reunited. As a training shamanic practitioner, in the first level coursework, you will learn how these powers can be returned to someone else.
Shamanic Spirit Teachers. Sometimes my students think of me as a teacher, and I chuckle, for I am just pointing towards their spirit teachers, who will be there real teachers! Spirit teachers, primarily found during a shamanic journey to the upper world, provide the information and direction we need to develop as a person and as a shamanic practitioner. They are there to teach us, and drive the lessons home!
Shamanic Upper World. Yes, this is where the spirit teachers tend to reside, and is a realm we are capable of visiting through a shamanic journey. The shamanic upper world is, however, just one portion of a shaman's 'non-ordinary' reality. No need for worries, for the shamanic upper world is a completely benign place, totally safe to the practitioner, and full of power and information.
Shamanic Middle World. Yes, there is one, and unfortunately it can be just as tricky and full of ignorance as our world is in ordinary reality. The non-ordinary middle world in shamanism provides our paths to the upper and lower worlds, but aside from this, is not a place for beginners to dally. 'Middle world work' necessitates that the shamanic practitioner proceeds well informed, follows careful protocols, and is strongly empowered: in short, it is a matter for advanced practitioners. Through this course of studies, you will be thoroughly prepared if you choose to eventually proceed into 'middle world work'.
Shamanic Lower World. Animal spirits live here! The lower world is where you tend to find your power animals. First, as a point of clarification, the ancient shamanic lower world has absolutely nothing in common with realms that some religions posit 'an underworld' associated with 'bad' or even 'evil' things. Actually, shamanism pre-dated such religious beliefs by many thousands of years, and the hypothesis that the Earth could actually be 'evil' is a relatively recent, and totally erroneous misconception that has led to tremendous human suffering.
How different is shamanism! The shamanic lower world is usually encountered as a natural, wild environment, full of huge trees, rich jungles, sky-high mountains. These are very Earth-like, natural places that are full of benevolent animal spirits who are waiting there to help us return to our full human empowerment. Perhaps I sound a little bit like a park ranger, but so be it, I will say it anyway: 'if you relish hiking in nature, you'll love the shamanic lower world!'
Enough said...
Power animal retrieval, Tuvan drum healing, meeting our true self, finding our spirit teachers, developing our professional ethics, learning how to do powerful journeys, developing rituals of personal cleansing, reorienting to our mother Earth, extraction, distance healing, soul retrieval... The list of contents in the upcoming courses is enormous. If you choose to study with me, you will tap into our global shamanic heritage.
However, we are not the practitioners of the past, but live in the very different world of the 21st century. In an unprecedented manner, as shamanic practitioners, we have information and insight into the functioning of our universe that is new to humankind, and that our shamanic ancestors did not have. In some ways, we must reinvent shamanism to meet the needs of our era. But, this should not be surprising, for shamanism has forever been a process of reinvention. We gather the wisdom of the past as well as the knowledge of the present, so that we have the understandings, techniques, ritual and experiences that constitute a basis for a shamanic practice that meets the needs of today.
My goal is to provide you with an exemplary preparation, through education and certification, that can serve as a foundation for a professional practice should you choose to pursue it. In any event, it is likely that you will develop a profound and personal, lifelong path of growth and healing. Yet, whether you choose to become a professional, or whether you choose to be able to help yourself and others as friends, you will have the ability to serve as needs and healing requests arise.
Does this capture your spirit and meet your goals? I invite you to visit the Shamanic Training page on this website and learn more about course content, and what you can expect in the training levels by following this link.
Preparing to take coursework
begins with registration of interest
Courses at Shamanism-101 progress, class by class through four levels in a stepwise manner that assure a solid foundation and preparation before moving forward to the next. These are the basic class level 1, the level 2 intermediate, the level 3 intermediate-advanced, and the level 4 advanced classes.
To enter level 1 training, click on this link to email me. If you have previous experience, please include a little about your experiences or training in shamanism.
Each healing class is automatically small: you are working with me one-on-one through the internet! Some, who study with me through Ocean Seminary College have the additional support of each other in a class forum. However, in order to make this training as accessible as possible, the internet approach is an automatic 'no brainer'.
Whether you are in a Seminary class, or studying with me individually, you are assured the necessary oversight and individual mentoring that deserve, and simply are not possible in the large-group weekend-workshop formula that has recently sprung up. Our one-on-one internet approach allows me to follow your development, and gives me the chance to answer your questions. The 'weekend class' was for the then, better than not having access to this study at all. Yes, both arrangements have their strengths, yet with the development of the internet, the 'weekend' approach is now showing its shortcomings all too clearly. On the other hand, the direct contact between teachers and students through the internet is showing its strengths.
Many people are now recognizing our human need to reconnect with an Earth-centered spirituality and reclaim the much-needed healing it brings ourselves and the Earth. I take great pride in providing this course of instruction, which I have been making every effort to turn into an 'industry standard' in contemporary training.
Please drop me an email with any questions you might have. I suggest that you take a look at the Shamanic Training page, and in specific, the Basic Level 1 page on this website. I am delighted to make these levels of training available and I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Steve Serr,
C.T., M.Div., Ph.D.
drserr@shamanism-101.com
PO Box 817,
Ben Lomond, California 95005
For individual sessions or to register interest and get on the waiting list for on-site training retreats, you are invited to phone
Balance Health of Ben Lomond
(831) 336-1300
Shamanic Training Overview: follow this link.
The Level 1 Basic Course: follow this link.