Monthly Journeywork Circle
Journeywork is a spiritual practice in which participants alter their consciousness through classic shamanic non-drug techniques such as sonic driving, especially in the form of repetitive drumming, so that they can discover their own hidden spiritual resources, enhance their personal healing, and transform their lives.
Journeywork Circles with Soulfire Medicine are focused on achieving a deep meditative state to access internal spiritual resources for transformational self-healing. While these techniques are foundational to the Core Shamanic practices for accessing other spiritual realms and healing others, that is not the focus or purpose of these circles.
Each month’s Circle will include:
· Beginning group drumming/rattling session to help shift consciousness
· A short teaching on the Elemental Energy focus to work with for personal healing, derived from the Daoist cycles of the Five Elements through the year
· Two prompts for unique journeywork sessions, with drumming provided
· Debrief/journaling time and sharing opportunities for those who choose (there is no required sharing)
Participants will:
· Bring a drum or rattle, yoga mat, journal, pen/pencil
· Bring an eye covering of some kind that will block out light (just closing your eyes is not sufficient). Options include a thick cloth, sleep mask, scarf, bandana, MindFold, etc.
· Wear comfortable clothing for lying down, and bring a blanket/pillow if required for your comfort
***Note: if you are new to Journeywork, please arrive 15 minutes early for a quick introduction.***
February Circle Theme
Water Element: Inner Nature/Drive/Ancestry/Purpose
Circle Dates:
February 18
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
The Journeywork Circle will be held monthly at a small event center in West Asheville, from 4-5:30pm. You can enroll for all the 2024 sessions to receive a 10% discount, or drop in for any session you choose.
Enroll at https://soulfiremedicine.janeapp.com by creating a profile and selecting “Journeywork Circle” as the session type.
For the annual enrollment discount or to ask other questions, please email christina@soulfiremedicine.com
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About Journeywork
Journeywork is a tool from the core shamanic practices taught by Dr. Michael Harner, world-renowned shaman and cultural anthropologist.
The word “shaman” comes from the Tungus word saman, meaning “the one who sees/knows”. Shamanism, in a variety of forms and under many names, has existed in every culture around the world for time immemorial.
Dr. Michael Harner dedicated his life to bringing shamanic practice back to western peoples who lost it through centuries of religious oppression. He was acknowledged as a powerful shaman by peoples around the around the world before his death, studying and receiving recognition from the Jivaro and Conibo peoples of the Amazon, the Coast Salish, Pomo, and Northern Paiute of western North America, the Inland Inuit and the Sami in the Arctic, the Tuvans of central Asia, and the assembled Siberian shamans of the Buriat people in Russia.
To bring shamanic practice back to the West, Dr. Harner developed the system of Core Shamanism, which consists of the universal, near-universal, and common features of shamanism that are not bound to any specific cultural group or perspective. By using this system, Western spiritual seekers can reacquire access to their rightful spiritual heritage via a path of direct revelation.
Training in Core Shamanism includes learning to alter your consciousness through classic non-drug techniques such as sonic driving (repetitive drumming) to discover your hidden spiritual resources, transform your life, and eventually learn how to help others. Core Shamanism does not focus on ceremonies or rituals connected to specific cultural practices, but rather on building individual relationship with one’s inner resources and compassionate helping spirits to navigate the space between worlds.
You can find more information about Core Shamanism by visiting shamanism.org.