Mental Illness as Shamanic Initiation Talk

This ever popular talk is back in London on February 4th 2019

In traditional, indigenous societies many of the symptoms we associate with mental illness, from depression through to psychosis, were often viewed as a sign that a person was being marked out and called by ‘the spirits’ to a life as a shaman or medicine person. 

This talk will explore whether it is possible, or beneficial, to approach mental illness from such a psycho spiritual perspective in a society that doesn’t value the spiritual conditions that give rise to sickness and is stuck in bio-chemical causation model. Asking questions such as what if some of the symptoms we deem pathological, are actually intimations of, or initiations to, a greater level of consciousness? 

This will be done without romanticising the real pain that mental illness can cause and will also explore when a spiritual causation approach may be useful and when it may not.

Venue: Amersham Arms

Doors: 7pm / talk starts at 7:30pm

https://uk.funzing.com/funz/mental-illness-as-shamanic-initiation-19118

Connecting to Nature at the College of Psychic Studies

All shamanic traditions acknowledge that the power to heal and create magic comes from a deep connection to nature and the invisible landscape of spirit that lies behind it.

But how do we make this connection strong and draw on it for spiritual power?

What needs to be given in return? 

And what happens when we reside in a city where nature is scarce? 

In the talk, we will explore a shamanic and animistic perspective on what brings the spirit of a place alive. Jez will Include practical ways that we as humans can engage with our environment wherever we live, to enhance and breathe life into the human and the non human landscape.

In the workshop we will explore shamanic ways to deepen your relationship with nature and the spirits that animate it, using trance states and the power of the drum and ceremony to bring you into contact with the spirits of the place where you reside.

Talk: Friday 18th January 7.00- 8.30pm

Workshop: Saturday 19 January 10:00am - 5:00pm