During a shamanic journey, I encountered an animal I did not recognise. It had a presence that was unmistakable, a distinct energy and character, and it communicated with me clearly. When I came back, I had to look it up to find out whether it existed at all. It did. It was a snow leopard. This is not the usual starting point for a discussion of the problem of other minds. The usual starting point is Descartes, or Wittgenstein, or the philosophical literature on analogy and i

I want to be careful about what I claim here. I am not going to tell you that I have proof of an afterlife, or that I can offer you evidence that would satisfy a sceptic across a table. What I can tell you is that something in that room asked to be attended to, and that attending to it changed me, and that forty years of returning to that threshold has taught me more about how to live than almost anything else I have studied, including the philosophy I have spent my life stud

Have you ever felt drawn to something ancient yet alive, something that whispers of deep connection and healing? That’s the essence of shamanism. It's a timeless path that invites us to explore the unseen, to heal, and to grow. Today, I want to share with you the principles of shamanic healing, a beautiful blend of tradition and modern insight that can open doors to profound transformation.

I grew up in a Christian household where we prayed for everybody. Friends, strangers, people who had wronged us, people who had never asked and would not have wanted our prayers if they had been asked. This was not considered an ethical problem. It was considered an expression of love. The logic was simple and, within its own framework, coherent: prayer is good, God is sovereign, and offering something good on someone's behalf requires no permission from the recipient. Intent

Many people carry invisible burdens passed down through generations. These burdens often come from difficult ancestors whose unresolved pain, trauma, or harmful patterns continue to affect their descendants. Healing lineage trauma means facing these shadows and working through the complex emotions and stories tied to our family history. This process, known as shadow ancestry work, helps us understand and transform the difficult legacies we inherit.

In shamanic journey, you are fully present. Not chemically altered, not surrendered to a substance's trajectory, but consciously travelling into non-ordinary reality while remaining the author of the journey. This distinction is not merely procedural. It is the difference between being taken somewhere and choosing to go.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the natural rhythms that once guided human life. Yet, there is a growing movement that invites us back to the earth, to the cycles of nature, and to a deeper understanding of ourselves through ancient wisdom. This movement is rooted in modern spiritual healing practices that draw from shamanic traditions, blending age-old rituals with contemporary insights.

I want to begin with something I have noticed that I cannot fully explain, and that I have never heard anyone explain satisfactorily either. Over the course of my practice, I have spent time with a great many older women, women in their seventies, eighties, some in their nineties, women without university degrees, without professional credentials, without any of the markers our culture values. And I have sat across from them in a state of awe at their intelligence.

Have you ever wondered how ancient shamanic practices, rooted deeply in tradition and spirituality, might connect with modern scientific understanding? I find this intersection fascinating. It’s like discovering a hidden bridge between two worlds: one of mysticism and one of empirical knowledge. Today, I want to take you on a journey through the science behind shamanic practices, blending warmth and curiosity with practical insights you can explore yourself.

Have you ever noticed how many spiritual traditions, old and new, draw inspiration from the natural world? It’s no coincidence. Nature is a living, breathing teacher. It shows us cycles of growth, decay, renewal, and balance. In modern spiritual practices, this connection is more than symbolic. It’s practical and healing.

Shamanism has gained popularity as a spiritual practice that promises healing, connection to nature, and personal transformation. Many are drawn to its ancient roots and mystical rituals, hoping to find answers or relief from life’s challenges. But is shamanism truly accessible to everyone, or are there honest limitations that make it unsuitable for some? This post explores the realities of shamanism, who it may benefit, and when it might not be the right path.

Drumming has long been a powerful tool in shamanic traditions worldwide. Its steady beat connects practitioners to altered states of consciousness, healing energies, and spiritual realms. This universal language of percussion transcends cultural boundaries, offering a practical method for transformation and connection. Exploring how drumming functions in shamanism across different cultures reveals its deep significance and practical uses as a healing and spiritual tool.

In many indigenous traditions, grief is understood as the soul's appropriate response to love encountering loss. If you loved something, a person, a relationship, a version of yourself, a way of life, then grief is the price of that love, and it is also the proof of it. To rush through grief is to dishonour the love that caused it. To medicate it into silence is to refuse the very thing that might change you.

We live under electric light that tells the brain it is always midsummer. We heat our homes to the same temperature year-round. We eat strawberries in January and expect our productivity to be identical in February as in July. We demand of our nervous systems a constancy that nothing in our evolutionary history prepared them for.

Soul retrieval is a core practice in shamanic healing that many people find mysterious or unfamiliar. At its heart, it involves restoring parts of a person’s soul that have been lost or fragmented due to trauma, stress, or significant life challenges. This process aims to bring back wholeness, balance, and a renewed sense of self. If you have ever felt disconnected, numb, or incomplete, soul retrieval might offer a path to healing.

Tricksters appear in myths and stories across cultures, often stirring up chaos and challenging norms. Yet, their role goes beyond mischief. Tricksters like Loki from Norse mythology and Coyote from Native American traditions play a vital part in healing and self-discovery through shadow work. This post explores how these figures embody chaos that leads to transformation, helping us confront hidden parts of ourselves.

Energetic connections shape much of our emotional and spiritual experience. Many people turn to cord cutting as a way to free themselves from negative ties, but this approach is not always the best choice. Sometimes, maintaining or healing these energetic links can lead to deeper growth and balance. This post explores when to cut energetic cords and when to focus on healing them instead.

The dark night of the soul is a profound spiritual crisis that can feel overwhelming and isolating. It often arrives without warning, shaking the foundations of your beliefs, identity, and purpose. While this experience can be deeply challenging, it also offers a unique opportunity for transformation and growth. Shamanic wisdom provides practical guidance and healing tools to navigate this difficult passage with courage and clarity.

In a world where technology shapes nearly every aspect of our lives, it’s fascinating to see how ancient practices like shamanism are evolving. I’ve always been drawn to the deep wisdom and healing power of shamanic traditions. Yet, I also recognise the incredible potential that digital tools offer to expand and enrich these practices. How can we honour the sacred roots of shamanism while embracing the innovations of the digital age? Let’s explore this together.

Cultural traditions carry deep meaning and history. When people outside a culture adopt elements from it, the line between appreciation and appropriation can blur. This creates tension and misunderstanding. How can we honour traditions while making them accessible in a respectful way? This question matters especially when engaging with multiple lineages and diverse cultural backgrounds. The goal is to celebrate and share traditions without erasing their origins or causing har