Comments

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  Sharon Rukin January 14, 2011 at 10:23am

  Hi Bonnie,

  I am happy to share what I can.  There is a woman in North Carolina who trained with Stan Grof and is willing to travel to facilitate the sessions. I  met her at an IANDS (International Association For Near Death Experiences) meeting.  There is an IANDS group that meets once a month on the north side of Chicago. She requested that the group be limited to 4 individuals.  She will be the sitter for all 4 of us. We have begun a special diet and will be gathering from about 5 on Friday until about noon on Sunday. The breathing session will go from noon to about 7 on Saturday.

   

  I had been considering a descent to do the Ayahuasca for some time and decided to do it after my first experience with Stan.  There are many ways to engage non ordinary consciousness and I think the plants are more powerful.  This view was further strengthened last September when I participated in another HB session with Stan and Tav and heard the comments of members of my group.  I am grateful that the Shaman we worked with, Juan Flores, has great range and compassion. My first two sessions (we did 5 in all over a period of about 12 days) were very difficult.  I felt I was just beginning to learn how to  work with non ordinary consciousness when it was time to leave.  I agree with Stan's view that non ordinary consciousness is a powerful therapeutic technique because the material is going to come from the individual no matter what orientation or philosophy the therapist holds.  What I can tell you is that my ego was unbelievably distressed during those first sessions.  Even though my ego consciousness was aware (was chorded) with the experience, it had nothing to say about any of it (that is, it had nothing to say about what I was going to experience).  If you would like to see the place I went to, you can see a wonderful youtube of Mayantuyacu.  Put in the words Juan Flores and Ayahuasca and look for the segment that is about 81/2 minutes.  The segment was blended with the sound studio of someone in Canada who has worked with Juan for many years.  Juan has been doing Shamanic work since very early in his life. 

   
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  Ed Koffenberger January 11, 2011 at 1:30pm

  Joe,

  You might want to connect with Lynn Hynes for she did summer fieldwork with Peruvian shamans two summers ago.

  Ed
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  Bonnie Bright January 10, 2011 at 10:34pm

  Thanks, Joe. Looking forward to hearing your comments or questions. Have you trained in any shamanic practices or read any good books you would recommend to the group? One of my favorite authors in the arena is Robert E. Ryan who has written "Shamanism and the Psychology of C.G. Jung"--a fascinating read!--couldn't put it down!--and "The Strong Eye of Shamanism".  and
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  Ed Koffenberger January 9, 2011 at 4:17pm

  Am I hearing a call for a "road trip?"
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  Bonnie Bright January 9, 2011 at 12:14am

  I wish I could say I knew more about the tribe themselves as well. I know they are struggling on many levels, and my friends and mentors who practice Huichol shamanism also sell the yarn paintings, bowls, and other art in order to help the tribe make a living so they don't have to go try to find jobs in factories. I am hoping to participate at some point in a more intensive program where we will go as a group to Mexico and have some direct experience, but it hasn't happened yet. I agree with you, though, Ruth: I suspect you are still connected even though you haven't had direct contact with your friend or the tribe for awhile. I'm happy to hear of your experiences and appreciate your activity in this group and on this site!
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  Ruth Martin January 8, 2011 at 3:19pm

  Bonnie, This is indeed a wonderful site-all parts! It's a candy store for Jungian devotees and feels so warm and deep and thrilling. It seems like it's really expanding daily!  Blessings to you and thankfulness for your hard work!!

  Ruth
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  Ruth Martin January 8, 2011 at 3:16pm

  Ed, refer your question to Bonnie. I've been out of touch for quite a few years now. I was recovering from an ABI and lost track of my Huichole friend Tere when she remarried and moved. (and I moved) I know we're still connected though.
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  Ruth Martin January 8, 2011 at 3:13pm

  Hi Bonnie, You are probably more up to date than I at this point.  I would love to know how the tribe is doing now. So many years of drought and troubles!  I'm glad to hear that someone has written about their particular shamanism. I had received prayer arrows from the then shaman as a thankyou for raising money for them. It was completely synchronistic! The woman Tere and I met only once, but we  talked and wrote for years until she remarried and, I think, may have moved back. Her parents own the General Store that is at the border between Mexico and the tribe's home in the mountains.  I received so many rich treasures to put out in the world, that I began to recognize each artist by style. I hope I can find my photos of Peter's beautiful photographs of all aspects of Huichol life. Don't know if they'll show up on line or not;  they're of a  beautiful and peaceful people.
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  Bonnie Bright January 7, 2011 at 4:51pm

  Hi Ruth: Welcome to the group. So happy to read your rich experience with the Huichol posted here. What an amazing synchronicity for you!

  I have been lucky to work this past year with a Caucasian couple who are both initiated (12 year process) into the shamanic tradition of the Huichol. One of them is also a Jungian analyst who does lots of dreamwork and sandtray and the combination with shamanic practice and sweatlodge is really magical.

  I have absolutely fallen in love with the yarn paintings and I also picked up a really interesting book last spring on the Huichol tradition in general. Its called "The Shamanic Wisdom of the Huichol: Medicine Teachings for Modern Times" by Tom Soloway Pinkson, PhD if anyone is interested in learning more.
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  Ed Koffenberger January 7, 2011 at 8:29am

  Ruth,

  I would love to hear more of your experiences with the Huichol tribe. Is there a way to support this tribe in the physical world?

  Ed