In my previous article, "Susan Stream: Learning about Reiki," Stream discusses how she came to the Japanese healing art of Reiki (you can read that article by clicking the Storyline tab to the right). This segment finishes her story, and talks about how she became a Shamanic Healer.  

Exploring the Shamanic world was something that Stream was originally very skeptical about. Having watched metaphysical shows, she at first thought, "Nah, this just can't be real."  

But, her curiosity led her to learn more about this world - and it turns out that this decision increased her clarity about her true life's purpose. "What I understand is that I have been freed of judgement," Stream says. "And my real purpose is very clear - that I'm here to help."  

Before speaking to Stream, I had very little understanding of the Shamanic world, so Stream explained a little more about it. She says that humans have lived in tribes for as long as we've been on this earth, and each tribe would have particular people who had special types of understanding about the world around them.  

"There was the person who could speak to the higher spirits, for wisdom, for advice, to keep safe, to find food, whats the connection to the eclipse that occurred, because they didn't have any scientific knowledge for these kinds of things. A Shamanic healer is also working on the emotional body, the spiritual body...But we don't use herbs, we just use spirit helpers," she explains.  

As a Shamanic practitioner today, Stream uses the very same gift that was once so frightening and confusing to her to help others, as well as herself. Set to the beat of a drum, Strain explains the process which is known as "journeying." She explains, "[The drum beat] changes our brain waves to the theta state, causes us to leave ordinary reality which is where we are, and to go into the spirit world and get new information and wisdom and healing for someone, ourselves or someone else. And I am just amazed and excited and elated by what comes. It's so natural and it's so wonderful." 

Stream also says that one of the most important things she's learned in her practice is that Shamanic work isn't about her experiences or wisdom or what she might think that the individual needs; it's about "stepping aside" and listening to the spirit world in order to pass on the information. The message isn't always clear - sometimes it's in metaphor, Stream explains. 

Other times the person will understand it completely, and have an "a-ha" moment, but Stream herself will have no idea why the person is suddenly so excited. "This is the magic of it. I know how to do the work, but I don't have a personal agenda in any of it," Stream says.  

If you're interested in attending a workshop, new sessions are offered on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Once you've mastered the beginning skills, you can join the ongoing group which meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.  

What are your thoughts on this type of healing? Have you ever been on this type of "journey"?