Workshops

Introduction to Cross-Cultural Shamanism
This workshop explores the spiritual significance of the Number Three, common to all healing traditions.  In this wisdom-based and experiential workshop, you will learn about Cross-Cultural Shamanism.  You will learn from Paul’s 20+ years of study, research and practice as a shaman. You will have the opportunity to journey to the spirit worlds, open your abilities of Divination and give/receive an energy healing.

Andean Shamanism
This introductory workshop is about Andean cosmology and Energy Medicine. You will learn about the two kinds of living energy, hucha and sami.  This workshop also contains information about the three rules of living and the three aspects of life with their totem animals.  You will experience a shamanic journey (a willful shift in consciousness) and an energy medicine healing.

The Divine Mother and Father

Paul will present a workshop in which you will engage the theme of “Duality.”  Andean cosmology teaches us that a mystical-magical duality exists in all of us.  Inti (the sun) and Pachamama (the earth) are two sources of power in the Andean cosmology that represent Duality. In this active workshop, you will work with certain rock formations at The Mather Gorge on the Potomac River, near Potomac, Maryland.  You will establish or deepen your relationship with the masculine and feminine spiritual aspects of Inti and Pachamama.  You will experience Duality of the soul and life as you participate in ceremony.

This workshop will begin indoors at Shamanic Healing Institute in Historic Savage Mill.  Then we will walk or carpool a place in nature with the intent of engaging with the spiritual aspects of Inti and Pachamama outside in nature.  If weather permits the entire workshop will be conducted outside, so dress accordingly.

The Munay Relationship

Munay is the Quechua word for “love and beauty.” Quechua is a language that is spoken throughout six South American Countries and boasts 24 dialects.  Munay is a paradoxical energy; that is, Munay is a part of everything that has form, while at the same time, Munay is an energy unto itself, without form.  Munay, in its most basic form, has the capacity to provide healing.  Munay can transform disease into beauty and the light of life.  

The Munay Relationship workshop is a “relationship” workshop in the sense that two people will attend the workshop together to experience the transformational aspects of Munay in their relationship.  So, any two people who want to improve munay in their relationship may attend this workshop:  partner-partner, friend-friend, parent-child, husband-wife, etc.

Paul will guide the couples who attend The Munay Relationship through a series of shamanic experiences, journeys and ceremonies designed to teach the application of ayni in the relationship. Ayni is reciprocity. The couples will learn their “story” and journey to the spirit of the relationship to understand even more of what is to be learned and accomplished on a spiritual level.  Join us for an adventure of exploring a shift in relationship-consciousness as well as receive Munay in a relationship.

The Practice of Spiritual Rituals in Daily Life
Shamans and medicine people are familiar with the practice of assembling reality.  The practice of Spiritual Rituals in daily life can preserve deep meaning and create opportunities for insight.  This workshop will present a range of spiritual exercises or practices from which you may select and use daily in preparation for life.  Additional “tools” will be presented for your use throughout your day to maintain proper relationship with your self, the people around you, and the stressors and joys we face in everyday living.  You will learn to be in constant contact with your spirit guides, teachers and protectors.  You will select from spiritual rituals such as protection, affirmation and energy to enhance your life and/or to be happier.

The Rainbow

The rainbow is a symbol of hope. Paul will present a workshop in which you will explore the mystical and magical Number Seven.  This includes the seven colors of the rainbow, the healing rays, sources of power and more.  This workshop includes a “medicine Walk” (a walk in nature of up to two miles) along the Little Patuxent River.  Please wear hiking boots, dress accordingly and bring drinking water).  We will stop along the way to meditate and journey, connecting to the sources of nature.  Like the appearance of the rainbow during the storm, our intention in this workshop is to re-set ourselves in “right relationship” to the sources of power that provide us with an unending supply of energy to engage in our responsibilities of daily living.   

The Shadow

Paul will present an experiential workshop to meet your shadow self.  You will engage your shadow in a series of spiritual healing exercises designed to develop an ongoing relationship with this shadow.  This workshop is the start of a series of workshops to bring integration of the duality of our soul. 

Personal Despacho

The Personal Despacho workshop is a “how to” workshop in which you learn how to create a personal despacho to enhance specific aspects of life -- love, relationship, healing, prosperity, stress relief and spiritual connection. You receive a despacho kit to take with you for your personal completion of this workshop.

Professional Training Programs

The Institute's educational programs provide knowledge and practice pertaining to the application of shamanism, energy medicine (how to heal oneself and others), and the cosmology of several cultures.

A progressive professional training program is available for individuals who have decided to apply the knowledge and techniques of shamanism to their lives and service to others. This program includes a three part series of training to become a Shamanic Practitioner. Participants receive certification for completion of the program. Course offerings are progressive and include:

•  Essentials of Shamanism  --  Presented in a 5-day format Monday to Friday June 23-27, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm This program will be presented outside in a Medicine wheel Participants will have access to a pool, hot tub and peaceful grounds for meditation. It is suggested that you plan a very limited schedule for other activities during the workshop, as there is ‘homework’ to do before each class day. We’ll eat dinner together each evening. There are hotels nearby. THE COST of “The Fundamentals of Shamanism” is $1,350, meals & lodging not included TO REGISTER complete the registration form and mail it with a deposit of $350.00 made payable to Chakana, Inc. by June 9, 2009. The program is open to people who feel called to register. You will receive confirmation of your registration and additional information. Site location is Annapolis, MD.  (click here for PDF brochure)

To register for the upcoming course, print and complete the registration form and mail it with a deposit of $350.00 made payable to Chakana, Inc. You will receive confirmation of your registration.

Click here for information on the archived Winter - Spring 2008 Essentials Course.

•  Kawsay Journey is a multi-session course for those who have completed of Essentials of Shamanism. This course is designed for individuals who are interested in becoming shamanic practitioners and who desire to integrate the energy medicine traditions of several cultures' healing traditons into an intimate experience that is expressed in all aspects of daily living. The goal of this program is to apply Munay, understanding your Truth in conjunction with the guiding principle of Ayni.

•  Munay Way is a multi-session course for those who have completed of Essentials of Shamanism and Kawsay Journey. This course is designed for individuals who are becoming professional shamanic practitioners. The goals of this program are to become proficient in the determination of spiritual dissonance and the creation of an effective and efficient healing ceremonies that embrace the tradition of the healer's lineage.

Ceremonies

• Despacho and Fire Ceremonies are celebrated at SHI to mark the change in season. SHI facilitates despacho, an offering to spirit to celebrate the new season.  Participants bring rattles and come prepared to be outdoors. Also, participants bring an offering for the fire (e.g., something from nature).
  
  
• Despacho Ceremonies - The Despacho is an offering created in ceremony to be used as an offering for a specific intention. SHI offers despacho ceremonies with the following intentions:
  • Honor Pachamama (Mother Earth)
  • Honor the Apus (Spirit of the Mountain ) and Stars
  • Sell a business or home
  • Attract a new relationship
  • end a bad relationship
  • change a negative situation (a curse)
  • attract a new home, business, job
  • celebrate a happy occasion
  • bring good luck and good love to yourself
• Other ceremonies
  • House or business clearings (for bad or malevolent spirits)
  • Marriages and Sacred Unions
  • Death Rites

Ayllu

The Ayllu is a community of Mesa Carriers. The mission of the Ayllu is to celebrate in ceremony and sacred teachings of the Andean cosmology and to practice healing service to the greater community and the planet. SHI hosts Ayllu activities.

To register for any of our courses, click here.