From a young age I have longed for purpose and meaning, to discover my calling in this life. As it turned out I’ve had many callings over the years – as an actress and theatrical producer in New York, as an outreach minster in Johannesburg working with the homeless and as an author and shamanic healer in Peru for the past 26 years. What all those callings have in common are my interest in effecting positive change in people’s lives.
Working with local shamans and healers here in the Andes, I learned how connecting with the energy of the mountains, Pachamama, the water, the wind and the fire allow healing and transformation to occur. Through my deep connection with this tradition, my consciousness has expanded to incorporate other spiritual dimensions and practices, which have led me to feel I was being called to something new.
A few years ago, I received a message from the Ancient Ones with whom I communicate through my meditation practice. The message was related to my purpose at this moment in time: “World Peace”. At first, I dismissed the message as fanciful. How was I to take on such a huge mission as world peace. I then heard the wise ones laughing at me. “You don’t have to know what to do or how to do it. You just need to open yourself to this purpose and we will assist you as you walk the path.”
Trusting and not trusting, I did some research looking for organizations or projects related to world peace but nothing resonated for me. I chose to stay open and hoped I would be led to the right opportunity.
On a trip to Czech Republic, I discovered quite by ‘accident’, there was a Biodanza retreat that worked well with my dates. Having experienced Biodanza since 1999, but never attended a 5-day retreat, I decided to sign up. Dancing with 80 people, (very few of whom spoke English), for so many days was life changing and transformative. (view article)
Through carefully selected, emotionally evocative music and movement, we connect with our feelings and interact with others in ways that create heart-opening, loving, healing experiences that defy verbal explanation. The result is a heart connection so deep, it goes beyond language, culture, age or gender to the core of who we are as human beings, enabling us to recognize our oneness.
Since then I have attended several more Biodanza retreats in different parts of the world with the same fundamental experience of unconditional love and its transformational powers. Most recently, I was blessed to participate in a Biodanza Neo-shamanism training in Columbia.
Neo-shamanism, as our teachers Myriam and Pablo explained, is a practice of learning and connecting with the ancient wisdom known in many indigenous traditions around the world, that offers us the opportunity to connect and integrate that wisdom within ourselves and Biodanza. The original meaning of the term “shaman” is “the one who knows”. There are still many places in the world where this ancient knowledge of the ancestors is alive and practiced.
What resonated with me so profoundly was the understanding that Neo-shamanism is not about imitating the rituals and practices of a cultural not our own, but integrating their wisdom into our own lives and practices. Shamanic wisdom is rooted in a deep connection with nature, the elements and the wise ones who know. These connections are available to all human beings everywhere. Connecting with Nature, our mother and sustainer, we can recognize our oneness with each other.
During one of our dance sessions, we connected with our ancestors in a beautiful heartfelt process where I heard again the voice of the Ancient Ones. “You see, doing and knowing is not required. Following your heart, we open the way for you. Trust and walk your path. Know you are being led.”
I arrived in Columbia not knowing any of the 36 participants, and I left with intimate deep connections filling my heart full of love and compassion for everyone there and all of humanity. I’m sure there are other means to world peace but for me, Biodanza and neo-shamanism are my paths and purpose to shift our world in that direction. I trust Ancient Ones are leading me where I need to be.