Shamanic Healing and Teaching

Initiations are experiences or periods of time in our lives in which we begin to transform. Often, the initiation comes to us in the form of a crisis, illness, suffering, trauma or loss. As we go through these "dark nights of the soul”, we begin to see the world in new ways and we shed old patterns and ways of being. We encounter spirit/god/oneness face-to-face, personally, intimately. Our soul opens wide and we awaken, more and more, to our deepest self and to the great mystery within and around us. Transformation arises not from simply enduring the crisis, but from deep examination of the death and rebirth cycle one is undergoing. In this healed or expanded place we then embrace new ways of being and an awareness of a deeper meaning of one’s life. 

 

In addition to these initiation opportunities that present themselves to us, without our choosing, we can also make a choice to enter into initiations. We find these opportunities in various spiritual and personal expansion practices. The vision quest, the sweat lodge, pilgrimages of all kinds, are a few more commonly known initiatory experiences. But there are infinite ways that one might experience initiations. Most cultures and indigenous communities have rites of passages and initiations that young adults and older adults enter into as they move through life’s stages. The community holds and supports the individual as they step into as well as ‘return’ from an initiation. Ceremonies and celebrations are an important part of these experiences.

 

The phrase “becoming the hollow bone” originated in indigenous teachings that invite us to put aside our ego and thinking minds to make room for spirit to flow in and through us. This is easier said than done. It is an ongoing process and practice that requires our intention to do so. In the shamanic practice we have our helping spirits and power animals to guide us. We are also guided by spirit in all things especially in the natural world, mother earth, the waters, the sky and cosmos. Our communities support, guide and witness us as we do this work.

 

Becoming the Hollow Bone is a two year program of teachings, ceremonies and initiations. Within a community of like-minded, like-hearted souls, we explore the territory of the great mystery, oneness, spirit. In the sacred space and community that we create, we step into deep exploration of ourselves, our healing, and our evolution. We will do the work of healing ourselves and others, take time for integration and self-reflection, with spirit as our partner for our growth and expansion. We will do this work in a fully embodied way - not so much in our minds but more immersed into the present moment, the natural world, and in the elements.

 

This program has been, and will be, guided by spirit, every step of the way. Even in the formation of this program, spirit guided us to the Limina Renewal Center. These sacred explorations can only be done with Mother Earth as a partner, guide, teacher, and witness. So we are grateful to be able to offer this program on this sacred land and in the sanctuary of the Limina Renewal Center. The Penobscot River and Bay, the fields and meadows, wooded trails, the rising and setting sun, the rocky beaches, the sacred meeting spaces and the views out every window will all be supportive of our time in this Hollow Bone community.