A Quest for Understanding and Connection - Part 1

My story is everybody's story. My journey isconnection to healing. Just as there is more to life
remarkable, as a spiritual journey always is, but it isthan what meets the eye, there is more to healing
an experience available to all people. I consider myselfthan what traditional psychology explains or what the
to be an average American with average problems,intellect understands.
but with a divine connection to Spirit. I love Spirit andIt is through my own exploration of self that I came
I love life. I believe that one has everything to dointo contact with Spirit and the wonder of the
with the other. But my life has not always been thisspiritual realm. Through numerous alternative
way for me. I suffered a great deal in my youth, astherapies, I experienced a profound healing of mind,
is the case for many individuals, and have spent mostbody, and soul. I have had incredible spiritual
of my adult life healing from things that happened toexperiences and now plainly see that Spirit has
me as a child. In the process of my own healing, Iprovided me with these experiences so I could
became intrigued with the concept of healing. Ibetter understand my purpose in life.
studied life from the perspective of science,While working as both a licensed professional
psychology, indigenous cultures, and spirituality.counselor and a shamanic healer, I have found that
Since 1984 I have been a licensed therapist, andmany people are eager to learn; they want to heal.
during much of that time I have worked as aThe continual cycle of unhappiness takes its toll,
shamanic healer. I have a full, fascinating practice,moving people to look for a better way. They are
which has opened many doors of awareness for me.tired of the pain and victimization, and they are
Healing, woundedness, growth, and the enfoldmentinterested in having more power in their lives. We
of the soul have intrigued me and propelled me on ahave a society crying out for change and for spiritual
journey of exploration and discovery. What is life allconnection. As we move into the new millennium, our
about? Why do people become so wounded? Howculture reflects a climate of more openness to
do they heal? Why does it take so long for some tospiritual topics. Spiritual growth has never been easy,
heal? Why aren't people happy? Why do so manybut we are in a good position for this growth now.
focus on what happened in the past instead of whatAwareness is evolving in numerous ways. I see
is happening in the present? What is the place ofemerging connections between old belief systems
spirituality in all of this?and new ideas. There are bridges between traditional
There are numerous books on psychology that givepsychology and ancient healing ceremonies; there are
technical explanations to these questions; however,parallels between the new sciences and the teachings
they have always left me unsatisfied. My mindof indigenous cultures. Old beliefs, previously rejected
understood the concepts, but my soul needed more.by science as primitive and flawed, are now reflected
The biggest void in psychology seemed to be inin the new sciences.
understanding the nature of the soul-the spiritual