“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” ~ Chief Seattle
The word “Shaman” literally means “one who knows.” Shamanism is a practice that has remained the same for thousands of years and is not part of any particular form of religion or spirituality. Since the beginning of time, certain men and women felt a calling to heal the sick; study and protect ancient knowledge; guide the lost souls; communicate with the stone people, the plant people, the animals and the spirit world. They performed rituals and ceremonies for the community and told stories to share wisdom. Today, there are those who hear the call of the ancestors and honor the way of peace.
I am a Shaman. Initiated and trained in the nine rites of the Munay-Ki, I have received the energetic transmissions of a 30,000 year old Laika Shamanic tradition. The rites are based on the practices of the Inka and pre-Inka Shamans of the Andes and the Amazon. In the Qechua language of the Q’ero Inka nation, Munay means “to interact with the world and others through the heart consciousness”, or simply, “love”.
Shamans seek to find solutions to problems within the community, using trance, astral travel and vision quests. They have always served as teachers, mentors, and psychic guides, working with the energetic body, or Luminous Energy Field. A Shaman helps to positively dream the world into being.
As a modern Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Meridian Tapping Practitioner, I use the same ancient Shamanic tools to help my clients become their ideal self – the very best version they can imagine. When I began my clinical practice more than 10 years ago, I imagined that I would build a healing center. I visualized the programs and the other healers who would work with me. I knew it would be a powerful and magical place. Even though I didn’t know how or where or when, I believed in what.
My vision has became more clear. I know where. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains outside of Malibu is a place we call Mount Munay. This land is blessed with a powerful positive energy vortex – a vortex on a par with those found in Sedona. I asked for the land. The land asked for me. This sacred space is being called into service to be used as a healing center for all who wish to join in the intention of infinite, unconditional love and gratitude.
I have asked my three sister Shamans to unite with me as four Earth-Keepers to act as stewards of this land. The energy from this vortex has the ability to amplify and transmit the thoughts and actions of the Healers with the intention that it will benefit the good of all. The work has begun.
Medicine Wheel atop Mt. Munay Vortex
As Shamans and Planetary Healers, we have taken on the task and the joy of building a Medicine Wheel. A Medicine Wheel is a place to pray, meditate or hold ceremony. It strengthens our connection to Mother Earth, Gaia, Pachamama.
Symbolizing the circle of life, the Wheel is a metaphor for eternity: there is no beginning or end; life is constantly in motion and always changing. It is deemed “Medicine” because in the Native traditions, anything that is “good”, such as food, talking, dancing and ceremony, is considered to be healing to mind, body and spirit. The circle also serves to remind us that we all work together as equals as we travel and grow at all levels of our being. A Medicine Wheel is usually placed where earth energy is strong. We have built our Medicine Wheel on top of the vortex.
The act of constructing a Medicine Wheel is a ritual ceremony, done with respect and love, built stone by stone. We create sacred space by prayer and purification. We are aware of Mother Earth, Father Sun and Grandmother Moon. We honor the four points of the compass; the four elements of Earth, Water, Fire and Air; and the four power animals of Serpent, Jaguar, Hummingbird and Eagle; and place stone sentinels to mark the directions. We place a center stone to symbolize the Creator and our connection to all life. We employ ritual symbols of sacred geometry to communicate with Spirit. Through ceremony, we learn to give back.
As we painstakingly gather stones one by one from the mountain (which she lovingly gives up to us); as we use tools both primitive and progressive to methodically measure and map out our patterns and design; as we clear the land to declare its destiny and bury our prayers to confirm it, we do it with a sense of purpose and mission. We do this as a family; a community. This is not about any one of us as individuals; it is about all of us as One.
Shamanism is founded on the principle that the visible world is saturated with unseen forces and energies that influence us. As we travel around the Medicine Wheel of Life, we experience many different positions and changing perspectives. We know that Mother Earth will support us and that it is our responsibility to support her. We know that when we attain balance and inner peace as individuals, we achieve world peace together and come to experience heaven on earth.