Shamanic Practice 2008

The shaman is a visionary practitioner who journeys into other states of consciousness - the worlds of the body, feelings, life energy, soul and spirit. To make this navigation possible, the shaman incorporates the world of myth and in so doing, becomes a living example of how meaning can be found or generated in the midst of despair and separation from all that can nourish us. Shamanism has re-inspired psychotherapy, medicine and science. It is an immensely practical profession that engages and expresses all the possibilities of human nature. It provides service to others through healing and ritual, and the re-creation of the self and our society.

Shamanism for Women

Shamanic Practice

Healing Power of Sound

SHAMANISM FOR WOMEN: Traversing the Worlds of Self

‘Traversing the Worlds of Self' is a four module residential program for women focussing on Pachamama (Mother Earth) , the Chakana and the Medicine Wheel. The program can be undertaken as single modules, or in sequence. The program focuses on - a deeper connection to women's traditional healing - discovering personal healing through ritual - self discovery of one's spiritual path - building a spiritual community of women's medicine

Traditional native people of South America have a strong connection to Pachamama, the earth mother and powerful feminine energy that pervades all life. They cultivate lives that honour Pachamama, and understand and practice the principle of balance and reciprocity in their exchanges with each other and the environment. The Chakana, the ancient Andean cross, is a map and a symbol that embodies these understandings.

The Chakana, with its horizontal and vertical symmetry, represents cosmic balance. It is a bridge to different levels and aspects of reality, and is therefore seen as a symbol of the divine. The hollow at its centre represents the mystery of the Chakana that extends bridges between the human and the divine, between the living and the dead, between the masculine and the feminine, and between the past and the future.

‘Working with the energy of the powerful feminine Pachamama, we walk the Medicine Wheel and the Chakana, drawing on them for direction and guidance in our lives. They are ancient tools that allow us to focus our energies and move through diffi culties and challenges. They offer pathways to creatively re-envision our lives.

'Traversing the Worlds of Self' is for women who wish to face the challenge of navigating through their many selves, to reconnect with their own strength and resources as they weave their personal life stories. They are walking, or wanting to walk their spiritual path through ritual, community and assessing of traditional wisdom. All workshops will involve traditional sweat lodges, though they are not compulsory.

Program 1
East: Birth

In this first program beginning in the East, you connect to the powerful energy of Pachamama and call upon your own power as you plummet the depths of your life, shedding the past that weighs you down. Allow yourself to be stripped to your bones of a past that may cling too tightly, and in the process allow Spirit to grow and the virtues of the Chakana and the Medicine Wheel nurture you back to life. Surrender to death to be claimed by life, be born ready to continue your path around the Medicine Wheel, crossing the portals of the Chakana into the worlds and layers of the self.

Date: 7-9 March 2008
Course Code: SW1

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Program 2
North: Courage and Strength

This program is about walking bare, having been stripped to your bones, continuing your journey around the Medicine Wheel and the Chakana calling for what is needed for your path. The North is a call for courage and strength. This is a time to call Wiracocha (father), the masculine principle, into your life to enable you to forge ahead and move into and through difficulties that present themselves to you and your path. It is a time to find your voice and your courage. In this program, you will reconnect with the energy of Wiracocha, honouring it and call on the virtues of courage and strength to confront your fears and help you continue your path into the unknown.

Date: 16-18 May 2008
Course Code: SW2

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Program 3
West: Healing and Compassion

Continuing our journey around the medicine wheel, we arrive at the West the place of healing and compassion, the place of Pachamama, the mothers and grandmothers. As the flesh begins to cover your bones, we traverse the West reconnecting with the powerful feminine. A time to honour your female ancestry, receiving the gifts and wisdom of the women who have walked before you. It is also a time to heal any wounds that may still block the heart.

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Program 4
South: Questing for a Vision

We step through the doorway of the South into the darkness of the unknown. A time to step forward and be supported by the wisdom and strength which has fleshed your bones up to this point in your journey around the medicine wheel. Allow your connection to Wiracocha and Pachamama to carry you in this step as you call for a vision for your life, coming full circle around the medicine wheel and the Chakana.

Date: 21-23 November 2008
Course Code: SW4

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For all Programs:
Venue Residential: Coranderrk, Healesville Sanctuary
Cost $380 1 workshop $1200 4 workshops (Includes food, camping fees)
Note: Limited to sixteen participants

Facilitators

Maria Elena Bravo is a member and Ceremonial Leader of The Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society. Apprenticed to Dr Rafael Locke, she has undertaken rigorous training in shamanic work and medicine ways over ten years. Born in Chile South America, Maria Elena has a deep interest in South American shamanic traditions and has worked with healers in Peru and Mexico. She leads regular tours to Peru for Phoenix. A particular area of interest is in assisting women in and through ceremonial work. She has facilitated shamanic workshops and participated in ceremonial work with women elders of the Central Desert and Q’eros community in the Peruvian Andes.

Marina Appeldorff has been involved in the healing arts for twelve years. She holds a Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling and is a professional Reßexologist. She uses holistic methods working in private practice, and in the aged sector. Marina was born in Argentina where she began to discover her passion in healing. She co-developed an adult education course, which she runs to assist women Þnd their inner strength and soul gifts in a safe and nurturing space. Marina is a member of Spirit of The Earth Medicine Society.

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SHAMANIC PRACTICE WORKSHOPS

Shamanic Workshop 1
Advanced Shamanic Practice

For students who have completed Shamanic Practice Modules / Workshops 1-3 in previous years are eligible to enrol. This workshop will focus on visionary practice healing work. Participants will learn a range of healing techniques using the Totem. It will also cover, the shamanic body and the dreaming process.

Fundamentals of shamanic healing in four major processes: 1. Entering the landscape/ dreaming; 2. Tapping the stream; 3. Visiting the seat of the soul; 4. Perceiving the energy of life. This is a systematic and practical training program, which uses the drum, rattle, symbol, medicine objects and medicine wheel as essential tools. This module focuses work on shamanism as a healing vocation, focusing on healing with individuals, groups, and communities. These techniques can be used for soul retrieval work and healing. Connecting to and working with Totem to journey into the client’s landscape will be the major method in the course. Students will work closely together in healing and ritual work.

Facilitator: Martin Peake is Director of the PhoenixInstitute of Victoria. He regularly visits Peru and works with the traditional shamans and healers in the Cusco region in the Andes. He is a Ceremonial leader in the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society.

Dates: 10-11 May 2008
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Course Code: SH1
Cost: $300* (2 days)

Note *10% discount for Phoenix students, ex-students and Government concession card holders
Class size limited to twenty-four participants

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Shamanic Workshop 2
Shamanism for Men

The workshop will explore men’s issues in shamanic development. It will focus on male rites of passage, community building and male relationships and spiritual development, particularly in relation to mentoring, identity and community. The workshop will also explore male healing rites, communication rituals and support in an increasingly alienating cultural context. It will be for men interested in developing long-term ceremonial support strategies and spiritual leadership.

Facilitators: Martin Peake, see above

Facilitator: Guy Brunette is a member of the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society and has studied Shamanism for a number of years, working with traditional healers in Africa and more recently in Peru. He is a professional Business Consultant.

Dates: 28-29 June 2008
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Course Code: SH2
Cost: $300* (2 days)

Note *10% discount for Phoenix students, ex-students and Government concession card holders
Class size limited to twenty-four participants

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THE HEALING POWER OF SOUND: SING YOURSELF FREE

This course is for students who wish to explore the pathway of chanting, singing and sacred sound. When we are free to sing from the heart, fears fall away and we experience the effortless joy of self-expression. Such singing and chanting brings deep healing and transformation. Our voices can bring us into balance, restore harmony and generate vitality. When we accept our voices without judgement, we accept ourselves in totality and the voice becomes fully integrated into our being. This voice reßects what we honour, reveals what we feel and is a powerful transmitter of the Life Force within us.Breath, Toning, Singing and Chanting are keys used to explore this pathway. This work can be life changing.

Healing Power of Sound 1 The Healing Power of Sound
This module will be an introduction to the use of sound for healing. It is designed to open up and free the voice from the shackles and limitations imposed upon us by society and the conditioned mind. We will explore the use of breath, movement, voice and sound as pathways into trance and altered states of consciousness. You will learn the art of toning for health and how to facilitate a sound healing session for others.

Dates: 25-27 April 2008
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Course Code: HS1
Cost: $450 (3 days)

Note *10% discount for Phoenix students, ex-students and Government concession card holders
Class size limited to twenty-four participants

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Healing Power of Sound 2 Visionary Voice/Creative Sound
This module will focus on how to use the voice to manifest your vision and create an abundant reality. You will discover the beauty of the voice and the joy of singing together in harmony. The songs we sing will open your hearts and the deep sounds we make will reconnect you to the earth. Singing is fun and with intention can be used to enhance creativity and awareness in all aspects of our being.

Dates: 20-22 June 2008
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Course Code: HS2
Cost: $450 (3 days)

Note *10% discount for Phoenix students, ex-students and Government concession card holders
Class size limited to twenty-four participants

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Healing Power of Sound 3 Sound and Silence
This module is a doorway into presence and the deeper layers of being. By becoming aware of the silence within sound we travel back to the Source. It is a doorway into meditation and sacred space where personal boundaries dissolve into Oneness. You will learn the art of harmonic overtoning and explore the use of sacred sound and mantra. You will discover how to utilise these techniques to explore inner and outer worlds.

Dates: 15-17 August 2008
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Course Code: HS3
Cost: $450 (3 days)

Note *10% discount for Phoenix students, ex-students and Government concession card holders
Class size limited to twenty-four participants

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Facilitator: Darpan has a BA (Hons) majoring in Drama and Psychology, and spent his early years working in the performing arts. Darpan has graduated from Chris James's teacher training course and he is a qualified Sound Healer. Darpan weaves twenty-Þve years of experience in music, performance and the shamanic arts to create a unique transmission that inspires and transforms. In the 1980s, He studied Chi-gung and Taoism with Dr Tennyson Yu in Sydney.

Darpan also studied Transpersonal psychology and the work of Dr Stanislav Grof. In the late nineties, Darpan travelled to Peru, Ecuador and Brasil to study Amazonian shamanism and work with various shamans and healers. He is a multi-instrumentalist, and a gifted songwriter and singer. He has released a number of CDs and travels extensively overseas, delivering sacred sound seminars and shamanic retreats.

Certificate of Completion. On completion of these programs, students will receive a “Certificate of Completion” from the Phoenix Institute of Victoria.

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