Classes in shamanic healing are an astoundingly rich source of personal growth
and well-being. I love teaching in shamanic studies, as I consistently hear the
understandings it brings students and I see its empowerment it brings in their lives. That's why I keep putting material to learn about shamanism up at this website.

Resources for solid shamanic practice and courses that teach shamanic healing are your birthright, and access to reliable information on shamanism is my obligation.
I have no doubt but that there are a few instructors who probably scowl at the amount of information you will find here, not signing up for even a single class!
However, for me, shamanism is a spiritual practice: not just a matter of rituals
and healing techniques. You deserve these materials. Plus, if you study
and learn the information provided here, you will join our California classes
prepared to excel as a shamanic practitioner. 

In shamanic healing, that's the kind of student to I like to teach.
It doesn't make any difference to me whether you consider shamanism something physical, spiritual or even psychological in nature: that is your decision.
No matter how we split hairs or conceptually frame things, the world is what it is,
regardless of what we call it or how we choose to understand it.

Different cultures and practitioners understand the reasons for the effectiveness of shamanic healing in many, widely differing ways. I won't ask you to adopt any particular understanding of mine, on the contrary: I will be encouraging you to experience shamanism and shamanic healing for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. This is your path.

It is the nature of the shaman to challenge the automatic consensus of reality,
however it is assumed, unthinkingly, by those around us.

In fact, this is the shaman's expertise!

Learn shamanism and shamanic healing on a solid foundation. Whether you are just starting your shamanic studies, or gathering confidence on your path, information you can use to move forward in your learning, and access to shamanism courses is as easy as clicking on the underlined or highlighted links that follow, or by utilizing
the drop-down menus at the top of each page.

I invite you to dive into the resources offered here, and enjoy!


Information about shamanism

Shamanic Reality. In our classes, you will learn to experience what is 'real' from a shamanic, Earth-centered understanding, and how this brings a much needed, healthy corrective to the common Western world view. Increasing numbers of people around our globe are discovering that the efforts of some religions and the alienating effects of 'civilization' have left human beings treating their world and each other in ways that deaden us to ourselves, separate us from a gladdening sense of community, and lose our belongingness and utter awe for our Earth.
 
Shamanic studies offer an extraordinary opportunity to
reach back to a healthy connection with the miracle of our life and this Earth,
 fulfill our longing for the affection and respect from each other,
and lead us back to the vital, joyful, and compassionate nobility of our true self.

Western Shamanic History. Did you know that most likely, your family lineage has probably had a shamanic, and definitely an Earth-centered spiritual past?Our memory of such ancient, world-wide wisdom has been nearly lost over time, especially over the last couple of thousand years. Students learning shamanism today, especially those from European ancestry, are surprised and delighted to recover their lost shamanic and Earth-centered spiritual roots.

The Shamanic World View. In class, 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 surfaced among some shamanic practitioners, as well.

Shamanism - 101 healing courses look closely at caregiver ethics.
When we make the decision to step forward in shamanic practice
and bring our compassionate healing attention to the world,
we need to seriously consider how to arrive at ethical decisions.


Shamanic Healing. Shamanic studies and contemporary medical schools are very different, which probably isn't much of a surprise. What is it then, that is the stuff that makes shamanic healing, 'shamanic'? To begin with, reality and how one views the world are very different between a shamanic practitioner and those from many other healing modalities. How one understands illness differs dramatically as well. The divergent paths of shamanism and Western medicine are explored as we learn what 'hard' science, organic chemistry, and de-spiritualized healing has neglected, and the particular wellness that a shamanic world view can provide.

Shamanic Trance. The shamanic journey, with its 'ecstasy' that is so often talked about during shamanic practice... what is it? Shamanic healers throughout the last tens of thousands of years knew from direct experience that shamanic trance, during the shamanic journey or merging with compassionate spirit helpers or power animals (animal spirits), was so powerfully successful at circumventing 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 the understanding and connection with our Earth that comes with shamanic studies, so too is a deepening connection with our true self. The limited, shortened sense of selfhood so sadly familiar in the contemporary world finds healing through the simple and straightforward ways of shamanism. Shamanic healing helps return us to our vital fullness, and encourages us to recover and reintegrate with our true nature. 
 

Shamanic Practices and Ritual

A definition of shamanism? The simplest way to see the whole of compassionate shamanic practice and ritual is to notice that shamanism is our reconnection and reintegration in community with others and with our Earth, and our rediscovery of the fullness of ourselves. The consequence of shamanic spirituality, practices and lifestyle is a natural healing, facilitated through techniques gleaned throughout the many cultures across our Earth, and over many thousands of years.

Shamanism is about our empowerment as our full, true self:
and our reintegration with the deep, rich tapestry of life.

The Shamanic Journey. Also known as the shamanic trance or even ecstasy, the shamanic journey is often considered the hallmark of shamanism. Despite all the mystery about it, a shamanic journey is actually, very easy to take. It is my view that he shamanic journey is your birthright and should never be withheld, nor considered some sort of arcane or 'hidden knowledge'. I believe you should have the information, so on the shamanic journey page, I have provided you with thorough instructions in how to proceed. However, even as I say this, I also strongly recommend  that you find a capable teacher so you can be mentored
confidently through your process of shamanic rediscovery.
 
Shamanic Cleansing. I have provided you with instructions for cleansing with sage, either a standing style cleansing, or a kneeling style cleansing: the standing style for cleansing another, and the sitting or kneeling style for cleansing yourself.
Whether doing a personal cleansing or assisting another, these are wonderful
ways to ground, center and focus our heart and intention.
Learn how to prepare yourself for shamanic work.

Opening Circle (Calling in the Directions). Since so many people are seeking to rediscover a natural Earth-centered spirituality, I have provided a full discussion and description of a widespread ritual that supports this. Variously known as 'Calling the Directions', 'Calling the Spirit of the Directions' or 'Calling in the Spirits', this ritual comfortably helps you open a sacred circle for yourself or with others. Calling in the Directions helps us center ourself in our wondrous world, grounds us when coming from the daily bustle, and provides us with an orientation to the fullness of existence, with which we can then step forward into our practice.
Though some of the particulars of Calling in the Directions vary between peoples
and cultures, the essential nature of this profound ritual is easily recognized throughout the world.


Shamanic Spirit Teachers, Power Animals,
and the Shamanic World View

Shamanic Spirits, Worlds. There is so much to be found as you learn about the healing practices of shamanism. You will discover the shaman's animal spirits (power animals), spirit teachers, and our true self. You will discover the shamanic upper world, shamanic lower world, and shamanic middle world. Amidst all of this you will rediscover the healing and wellness our global ancestors knew, and an Earth-centered spirituality that is so waiting to be rediscovered today. Here are some sources of information to get you started...

Power Animals. Animal spirits... you have most likely heard these terms a lot, as they have become familiar. Animal spirits (power animals) bring us (you guessed it!) power... yes, but they are also guides and protectors. Power animals are here to empower us with sources of strength, courage, tenacity, vigor, and any other aspect of our full, true self that is waiting to be developed. We all have animal spirits,
just waiting for us to discover them!

Shamanic Spirit Teachers. Sometimes my students think of me as a teacher, and I have to chuckle, as I am just pointing them towards their real teachers. Spirit teachers are waiting for us during our shamanic journeys to provide the information and direction we need to develop as a person and as a shamanic practitioner. Spirit teachers are there to teach us, and boy, do they sometimes drive the lessons home!
Spirit teachers are primarily found during the shamanic journey in the shamanic upper world.

Shamanic Upper World. This is where the spirit teachers tend to reside. Through the shamanic journey, a practitioner is capable of visiting this shamanic realm. The shamanic upper world is one portion of a shaman's non-ordinary reality, accessed through a shamanic journey, also known as the shamanic trance (ecstasy), one of the skills of the shamanic practitioner. 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 the shamanic middle world can be just as tricky and full of ignorance as our world is in ordinary reality! The middle world in shamanism is full of paths to the upper and lower worlds, but not a place for beginners to dally. Shamanic work in the middle world is a matter best left to advanced practitioners. By following this link, you will find a page with information about shamanism's middle world.

Shamanic Lower World. Animal spirits here! The shamanic 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 religions that have underworlds associated with 'bad' or even 'evil'. Shamanism vastly predated the Hades belief of ancient Greece, and the more recent religions such as Christianity which clung to an idea of Hell. Quite different than such religions that believe in such things as 'hell fire and brimstone', the shamanic lower world is primarily a natural, wild environment, full of trees, rich jungles, sky-high mountains and Earth-like natural places. This shamanic realm is full of benevolent animal spirits who are waiting to help us return to full human empowerment. I sound a little bit like a nature-lover or a park ranger,
but I will say it anyway: if you love camping or hiking in nature,
you'll love the lower world!


Shamanic resources provided here get your shamanic training off to a great start.
There are enough techniques, rituals and information such as how to take a shamanic journey that will definitely get you going. What I hope you learn through studying the material at Shamanism - 101 is a hearty sample of the kind of knowledge and awareness you will have access to when you take shamanic classes here. Shamanic studies provide the education where you will learn shamanic healing: probably the most widely found and ancient, spiritually based healing art in the world.

Classes at Shamanism - 101 are full of solid training.
I will provide you with the understandings, techniques and ritual, and experiences that constitute a basis for effective, compassionate shamanic practice.
Shamanic studies steadily advance in complexity and breadth as your healing
skill set deepens.

Shamanic training in my classes is geared to contemporary students. The mission is to provide you with exemplary preparation capable of supporting a professional practice... this has been my goal. Naturally, such learning and certification provides countless other rewards as well, such as developing a profound and personal lifelong path of growth and healing, or for having the ability to serve your friends and others as needs and healing requests present themselves over time.

Courses at Shamanism - 101 progress, class by class and through three levels, in a
stepwise manner that assures a solid foundation and preparation before embarking on each new stage: the Level 1 Basic Class, the Level 2 Intermediate Class, and the Level 3 Advanced Class. If you are new to journeying, I sometimes offer a one-day Learn to Shamanic Journey retreat that will get you started taking shamanic journeys on your own. However, I am finding that these days, many have somewhere (or another) had some experience in shamanic journeying. The shamanic journey is a necessary first step upon the shaman's path, a foundation that I can easily help you develop with just a few hours together with me, which will help equip you with the skills you will need to confidently enter the Level 1 basic shamanic healing class. Once you can demonstrate comfort and discovery during the shamanic journey, your ability is poised to grow through the Basic Level class sessions.

With high quality training of the individual person my personal priority, each class is intentionally kept small to assure the necessary oversight and mentoring that you deserve. I have the opportunity to follow the development of your technique, the chance to answer your questions, and the ability to maintain an environment where you can find a training relationship that simply cannot be achieved in larger classes.

Shamanic studies are more widely and readily available to us. 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, and it is one
that I intend to become a benchmark in contemporary training.
Yet, I also take great humility because it is your compassionate spirit teachers
and power animals (animal spirits) who will be providing your deeper education,
and then taking over your instruction when I am done.

Learning shamanism with me is, however, an excellent first step.
I am, as the old adage suggests, simply 'a finger pointing towards the moon.'
What I will do, however, is teach you what I know.
The rest is up to you.

Please drop me an email with any questions you might have, and let me send you a simple application. I am delighted to make this level of training available and I look forward to hearing from you!

And, in the meanwhile, start studying!



Sincerely,
Steve Serr, CHT, Ph.D.

drserr@shamanism-101.com

(831) 609-6229 PO Box 817,
Ben Lomond, California  95005