Secrets of Shamanism

(^2) SECRETS OF SHAMANISM
I learned in childhood that I had "eyesight" in the palms of
my hands; that I could read energy with them; that I could
use my hands to ward off dangers or rid myself of unwanted
negative influences.
Later I was introduced to the northern Native American
perspective by Strongheart, a friend of my father who
worked in the film industry. A part-time actor and film con-
sultant, Strongheart would drop by my father's stage-lighting
business, where I helped out. I was always impressed by his
long hair, clawlike nose, and gentle demeanor. He did not
teach me anything formal, just talked in his native style
about the way he saw the world.
Perhaps these were some of the influences that led me to
know that I wanted to become a psychologist and counselor
from my earliest childhood. Perhaps this as well motivated
my solo journey throughout India, Nepal, and Thailand,
seeking alternative perspectives and ways of looking at real-
ity. That journey would connect me with powerful teachers
who only reinforced my already "eccentric" outlook on life.
Those travels also solidified my relationship with Lena, my
wife-to-be, who waited patiently for me while pursuing her
own shamanic training.
Later I embarked on a series of psychic training courses
that introduced me to powerful techniques that I recognized
as shamanic in origin. This three-year period of formal train-
ing is what eventually led me to select the study of "Power
Animals, Mental Imagery, and Self-Actualization" as the
topic of my doctoral dissertation. My research led me to dis-
cover that people who actively used animal imagery in their
dreams or reveries were actually more self-actualized and
mentally healthier than people who did not. The statistics
showed that they tended to be more present, more self-
motivated, and more positive in their attitude toward life.
This just confirmed what I already knew: that the shamanic
approach leads people to greater success and effectiveness in
the world.
During my doctoral studies at the California Institute of
Integral Studies I had the wonderful opportunity to meet
teachers who not only were knowledgeable about shamanism
but practiced it in their daily life. Angie Arrien, expert in
Basque shamanism and Ralph Metzner, master of transfor-
mative metaphors, each assisted me in my studies interfacing
Western psychology with shamanism. I was fortunate enough
to meet and study with anthropologist and shamanism expert
Michael Harner, a truly excellent teacher and guide.