Basic Healing Level 1 Online Training
Internet Course in Shamanic Practice

This is where it begins: the basic, level 1 training online class in shamanic healing. As I am sure you are well aware, classes in shamanism are increasingly appearing around the world, as many of us are hungry to remember the ancient, Earth-centered wisdom as we find ourselves, our society, and our Earth suffering without it. Shamanism is a path back to an Earth-centered spirituality and the much-needed healing for our Earth and ourselves that comes through it.
 
Your course of studies through Shamanism - 101 is suited for developing a very well-grounded shamanic spirituality into your life. This internet-based training is designed to support a professional practice, either as a shamanic practitioner, or when incorporating this modality with others. This doesn't mean you are necessarily aiming for a professional practice: it just means that you will be trained that well when you are done.

Shamanic education begins with this first course. You will learn basic shamanic healing in accordance with what are considered ‘best practices’ in shamanic work as this is broadly understood today. Studies that provide a thorough grounding in what is considered the essence of worldwide shamanic practice is vital to professional service. Shamanic healing education is provided along with training experience with a step-by-step foundation that will confidently assure you of completing each level.

Because this is a certification series, training quality is intentionally kept high. To achieve this, you will be pleased to discover that not only are you working with me directly through the email assignments and feedback, but that your submitted material might not be accepted! OK... I know that sound a bit brash, but it is just to state clearly that you must get my 'ok' on your competence in each unit before I am willing to send you to the following unit.

Don't worry, you can do this. The material is well prepared, and I am extremely reasonable guy who simply wants to know that you are developing well. These are not a 'fluff' courses. They are designed to provide you with a solid foundation in shamanism's best practices. Through our direct contact over the internet, you receive the necessary oversight and mentoring that simply is not possible in 'large number' group teaching approaches. And, more importantly, because I am able to oversee your individual growth, your satisfactory incorporation of each level's training is assured.

This is the first course of a year’s cycle of Levels 1 through 3. This year’s cycle focuses on working with compassionate spirit helpers. The 4^th level is not a part of this cycle, and though always working with compassionate spirit helpers, focuses primarily on Middle World practices. Certification is awarded at successful completion of each level (1, 2, 3, 4).

This basic shamanic healing course does not mean 'easy'. Perhaps a better title for it would be 'foundation' course, for it is training the foundation skills on which the intermediate and advanced work rests. This course will definitely require a commitment of time and focus, as classes require readings, practice sessions, and homework, and move ahead at a rate that necessitates keeping pace. However, the course's carefully orchestrated steps gradually build a solid shamanic understanding and fluency.

Shamanic studies necessitate far more than mere techniques or an intellectual understanding: a successful practice must rest on solid journey ability, your relationships with your spirit helpers, the posture of your ethics, and the compassion of your heart. Again, no worries: these are practices that will continue to naturally grow through each class week.

Course work in basic shamanic healing will be divided between:

a) reading materials where you will explore shamanic reality and begin the leap into the shamanic world view and proceed to learn the ways of shamanic healing

b) ritual practices

c) technique practices

d) homework that you will email me (if you are taking this course directly from me) or post (if you are taking this course through Ocean Seminary College)


The reading and study part of this coursework is not simply academic: this is, after all, a course in developing one's whole-being (how one carries him or herself), as well as an entire healing practice. In the first 12 units (the basic course), you will study and begin to integrate the shaman's special 'posture' towards the world and the particular virtues that are pursued. You will learn the generalized differences between contemporary western world views and one that is shamanic, and begin to make your own 'leap' in consciousness from one to the other. You will also learn a basic orientation to the cycles of 'ordinary reality' seasons, days and lifetimes, and begin to develop a general map of non-ordinary geography. You will learn the nature of ethics in shamanic practice, and start to develop your own code. You will consider why it is that shamanism is so misunderstood in the contemporary world, and what would constitute a shaman's integrity.

Since this course series is devoted to developing you as a person who is taking the role of a healer, you will learn such rituals as personal cleansing with sage. Since you will be working with other people, you will learn how to cleanse another person, as well as the procedure for Calling in the Directions, which is often done when more than one person is present. Since people will be coming to you for answers and direction, you will explore how to communicate with clients as you begin to prepare for the shaman’s role. You will learn to sing your Soul Song, and begin to practice the ritual embodiment of power through dance.

The most important basic technique you will learn in this first series is skilled shamanic journeying, as the ability you gain here will empower all of the work that follows. Since you are developing yourself as a person as well as a shamanic practitioner, you will start to connect with your power animals and your non-ordinary teachers, and start deepening relationships with these spirits as you begin to form your healing 'team'. You will also learn how to merge with a spirit helper and explore the complex nature of this practice. You will meet your true self, which some count as the most important experience in the entire course series. Finally, you will learn basic shamanic divination through natural objects (in this case a rock), and how to empower another person through a power animal retrieval.


Class Supplies

1) Additional texts required: 

a) Michael Harner, The Way of the Shaman, Harper San Francisco, 1990.
Considered by many to be the 'classic' in what became the 'core' approach to shamanism, this is the earliest broadly read composite of shamanic material to make its way widely into mainstream literature. Originally published in 1980, Harner's work was for the time, very groundbreaking and full of the colorful 'indigenous' experiences that he explored, from which he began to extract the more world-wide 'core' that we recognize today.

b) Tom Cowan, Shamanism as a Spiritual Practice for Daily Life, The Crossing Press, Freedom, 1996. A very readable, updated and 'matured' look at shamanic practice. Cowan had the opportunity to come after Harner, and thus like a 'younger sibling', enjoy the perspective that time and more information brings. Cowan was already familiar with the stability and historically wider use of non-drug 'sonic driving' means to a shamanic state of consciousness with rattle or drum, and he broadens Harner's work bringing his Celtic interest to the field as well.

(There are probably more recent publications of these books, which would be OK.)

2)    Supplies: These first items are required and need to be obtained quickly:

a) something soft to cover your eyes to remove light while journeying,

b) buy a CD or purchase a computer ‘download’ from Foundation for 
Shamanic Studies (FSS) of the Shamanic Journey, Solo and Double  Drumming: Michael Harner, 1997 edition or later,

c) headphones or speakers that can be arranged near you,

d) CD player, e) notebook to record journeys and shamanic phenomena,