Energy Medicine: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
I was attracted to Shamanic Energy Medicine because its ancient methodology is rooted in the natural world, the belief that everything is alive, and everything is connected. I believe that too. This “medicine” is based in an understanding that all the parts of us; body, mind, and soul, are designed for full expression. Generally speaking, all that needs to be done for healing, whether it be in your work life, your relationships, your inner relationship with yourself, your emotional health, is to release what does not belong. The aim is to release blocks and restore the natural flow of energy. In this way, any organism, whether it is a human being, your family, or an organization, can grow into its fullest true intention.
I trained with Alberto Villoldo and the Four Winds Shamanic Energy Medicine training. The origin of these shamanic teachings, tools, and practices come from the Q’ero nation of Southern Peru. As a former trained psychologist and medical anthropologist, Dr. Villoldo is a foremost leader in shamanic energy medicine training with centers in U.S. and Europe. He directs the Center for Energy Medicine in Chile. Dr. Villoldo spent 20 years in the Andes and the Amazon learning indigenous medicine directly from the Shamans living there. He has written many books about this ancient methodology, including his own powerful story of healing. He can be readily found online offering free Shamanic teachings to others interested in creating a new world through energy medicine.
I hold a Master Practitioner of Shamanic Energy Medicine certificate. I regularly offer Energy Medicine as part of my practice, and I continue my advanced studies in this beautiful, ancient methodology of healing and becoming whole.
Illuminations
Illumination is the term given to clearing the chakras of energy that no longer belong and bringing light (illuminating) into the affected chakra. It is one of the main Shamanic processes for healing and well-being. One can have just a couple of illuminations or many. Clients leave illumination sessions with new awareness, clarity, and a feeling of release and are lighter and generally more buoyant, optimistic, and peaceful.
Extractions – Cord cutting
Extractions: Sometimes, energies can get so dense and stuck that illuminations are not enough. Energies from other people (living or not), deep trauma, grief, chronic suppression, and unprocessed trauma can lead to the need to extract the energy and send it back to the Light. Entities or partial entities (sometimes from loved ones) that have become attached can be extracted and lovingly sent back to where they need to go, to the Light.
Cord Cutting: We humans are always “cording” with each other. We create cords in relationships and in response to our mutual needs. Sometimes, a person can feed off another person through an energetic cord. This creates all kinds of wobbly relationships and chaos between people. Cord cutting is recommended for anyone struggling with another person or relationship. You can also cut cords to past jobs, places, etc. Cutting cords with a person does not cut the relationship, but cuts the dysfunction and dysregulated energies that are present. Often it is a very healthy thing to do for relationships that you want to foster and grow in a healthy manner.
Journeying
Shamanic journeying is a type of guided meditation using shamanic tools such as a drum or a rattle to keep a rhythm that loosens your thinking mind so you can travel in a relaxed state. Journeying differs from other meditations in that rather than trying to empty your mind of thoughts, as in many common meditation techniques, we invite the person to allow their imagination to roam freely and receive guidance from their own imagination and intuition.
Journeying is guided by a Shaman who uses a map. We journey to the lower world (your subconscious or collective subconscious), the middle world (the present time), or the upper world (the world of your becoming). In all these journeys, we enter the realm of the subconscious, where we receive guidance from another aspect of ourselves. We ask questions and allow the answers to appear.
In a Shamanic journey, one may find spirit guides or spirit animals, visions, or symbols. When you ask, they will appear. Parts of ourselves that we rarely interact with are free to come forward. It is widely experienced that whatever question a person has, they will find an answer. Sometimes, the answer may not make sense immediately, but with time, things make profound sense.
Journeying is experiential, and every journey is different. Being open-minded and allowing is key. We access our own higher wisdom rather than look outside ourselves for answers that truly lie within.
Soul Retrieval
A very simple explanation: Soul retrieval refers to parts of our souls, or selves, that have split off from us energetically and emotionally. For many of us, there is a part of ourselves that may feel missing or empty. This occurs because of traumatic events, unmet needs, or some other situation in life that was not safe. Soul retrieval is a profound and delicate process of finding what part of us has left, understanding why, and working with it to fully understand what it needs. We create an environment within ourselves where that part of ourselves is willing to return to.
We must become informed about this soul part. It has energy and emotions. It is part of us. It is our responsibility to learn and make the changes required to integrate these energies and emotions back into our neurophysiology and brain.
It is important to note that soul retrievals are only the beginning of a process of full integration of the full self. It is a step on the Hero’s journey of self-realization.