Seeing in the Dark: Claim Your Own Shamanic Power Now and in the Coming Age

by Colleen Deatsman

Overview

The word "shaman" means "one who sees in the dark." Shamans consciously choose to live in two different worlds at the same time. They have one foot here in the everyday world and one foot in the world of the spirits. The fact is, we all live in these two different worlds, but are commonly not aware of the other, less visible one. This world does not exist in some other place, but is right beside us, just outside of our usual perceptions. Seeing in the Dark is a definitive source for personal shamanism and not only provides the tools and techniques of the shaman, but presents the wisdom tradition, awareness paradigm, and shamanic way of life. The powerful shamanic path has weathered the cataclysmic changes of over 50,000 years of human history and is even more vital and relevant today. In times when stress, tension, and the fast pace of life overwhelm us, this path shows us how to slow down, reconnect to the sacred, and harness our personal power—skills that will be needed for the uncertain days ahead. Included in this book are over 100 easy-to-follow exercises that teach important survival skills for the coming changes of 2012 and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578634439
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	05/01/2009
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	860,663
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Colleen Deatsman is a licensed professional counselor, licensed social worker, Usui Reiki master, certified clinical hypnotherapist, certified alternative healing consultant, and shamanic practitioner. She has been exploring health and wellness, self-healing, personal growth, and spiritual development for over twentyfive years. She is also the author of Energy for Life and Inner Power.

Read an Excerpt

The world is changing [and] in the midst of devastating change, what can we do? In short, we can become more connected, more self-reliant, and unswervingly responsible for ourselves. If everything changes, where can we look to find an immutable constant that has weathered the ravages of time? The answer to that question is shamanism.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

Opening Prayer 12

Chapter One The Shamanic Path 13

Chapter Two Paying Attention 26

Chapter Three Journeying the Central Axis and the Three Otherworlds 46

Chapter Four Ceremony and Ritual 69

Chapter Five Helping Spirits 90

Chapter Six Personal Medicine Wheels - Your Circle of Power 127

Chapter Seven Soul Healing 147

Chapter Eight The Luminous Energy Body 169

Chapter Nine Energy Liberation and Conservation 196

Chapter Ten Living the Shamanic Life 221

Closing Prayer 236

Appendix: Treatment Chart 237

Endnotes 239

Editorial Reviews

"A shaman is never truly alone. Instead, there is an unwavering belief that loving companions are always traveling with us. Feeling this fills us with boundless joy and deep gratitude for our life and our beautiful planet. Seeing in the Dark is both a stepbystep guide to developing powerful kinships with the spirits who surround us and to nurturing a clearer understanding of our place in the Universe." —Evelyn C. Rysdyk, Shamanic teacher and healer, author of Modern Shamanic Living, and on the editorial board of The Journal of Shamanic Practice

Reviews

"A shaman is never truly alone. Instead, there is an unwavering belief that loving companions are always traveling with us. Feeling this fills us with boundless joy and deep gratitude for our life and our beautiful planet. Seeing in the Dark is both a stepbystep guide to developing powerful kinships with the spirits who surround us and to nurturing a clearer understanding of our place in the Universe." —Evelyn C. Rysdyk, Shamanic teacher and healer, author of Modern Shamanic Living, and on the editorial board of The Journal of Shamanic Practice

"Colleen Deatsman draws on her diverse spiritual training and personal experience to craft a book that gives readers tools with which to traverse the turmoils of everyday life, economic downturns, and personal struggles. This is the sort of "engaged shamanism" that can light up the dark." —Larry G. Peters Ph.D., anthropologist, licensed psychotherapist, and author (leads groups to Nepal to study Tibetan shamanism)

"Seeing in the Dark is the kind of book that offers newcomers to shamanism a safe and sensible program and also reminds experienced practitioners why they fell in love with shamanism in the first place. The authors carefully guide readers through the many aspects of the shamanic life and offer practical suggestions for journeys, ceremonies, and personal healing. This book will become a comforting and reliable companion for those on the shaman's path." —Tom Cowan, author of Shamanism: A Spiritual Practice for Daily Life and Fire in the Head

"Seeing in the Dark reveals shamanic ritual in terms of its practical application to the process of unfolding individual and collective consciousness, making it a groundbreaking work of startling authenticity. This book is a necessity for those who wish to understand how personal reality can be shaped by one's beliefs and how the fate of individuals and nations can be shifted by the focused intent of inwardly directed individuals. Seeing in the Dark is ideal for those seeking a practical application of material garnered from readings in comparative religious studies, folklore, and mythology but were left looking for the next step—here it is. Take it if you dare." —Mark Stavish, Director of Studies, Institute for Hermetic Studies and author of Between the Gates: Lucid Dreaming, Astral Projection and the Body of Light in Western Esotericism

"Seeing in the Dark is a wonderful gateway to shamanic practice. Packed with wonderful exercises and journey suggestions, Deatsman gently guides readers to find insight and healing through spirit connections and energy work." —Kristin Madden, author of Magick, Mystery, and Medicine, The Book of Shamanic Healing, and Shamanic Guide to Death and Dying

"Shamanism is many things to many people—at its core it is an ancient spiritual tradition dedicated to becoming fully human. Through partnership with the compassionate spirits, shamanic practitioners bring blessings of balance and healing to our world. In Seeing in the Dark, Colleen and Paul offer us their inspired, multi-faceted perspective, helping to make this powerful tradition more readily available at a time when our need for it has never been greater." —Nan Moss and David Corbin, authors of Weather Shamanism: Harmonizing Our Connection with the Elements

"Seeing in the Dark unveils the mysteries of shamanism in a clear, well-written book. It teaches and demystifies the journeys of the shaman and gives many suggestions for continued success. Deatsman and Bowersox tell you that you can do this and then show you how! An essential guide for learning to practice shamanism and the experienced practitioner will find more wonders to explore. Shamanism explores the world of the soul in trance, guided by the drum, the rattle, and our own power. The world of the soul often seems too mystical for us to travel, and yet we know the mysteries are there, hidden just beyond our view. Colleen Deatsman and Paul Bowersox dispel those myths in Seeing in the Dark, a book that shines a light to guide us into the pathways of wonder, the world of the soul. This well-written book teaches the student how to begin and then guides the experienced practitioner on ways to continue. Every reader will deepen their understanding of their own soul and the spiritual worlds of mystery." —Gail Wood, co-author of Shamanic Witch and author of Sisters of the Dark Moon

From the Publisher