| Brunton to teach shamanic workshop
in Twin Cities by Timothy Cope Bill Brunton, Ph.D. will visit the Twin Cities April 20-21 to teach a basic workshop on "The Way of the Shaman." Brunton is an anthropologist, shamanic practitioner and of member of the faculty of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, an international non-profit organization dedicated to preserving surviving shamanic knowledge and to teaching the practical application of that knowledge in the contemporary world. "Shaman" is a word in the language of the Tungus, an aboriginal people of Siberia. It refers to a man or woman who makes journeys to non-ordinary reality while in an altered state of consciousness. Typically, while in that state the shaman interacts with the spirit inhabitants of non-ordinary reality and then returns to the everyday world with knowledge and power that is put to use serving or healing other people. Although the word "shaman" is Siberian, the practice of shamanism exists all over the world. Brunton's upcoming visit represents the first time "The Way of the Shaman" workshop has been taught in the Twin Cities since 1999. The workshop is designed to introduce participants to Core Shamanism, a school of shamanism that incorporates the similarities and congruencies of diverse shamanic cultures from all over the world. Participants will be initiated into shamanic journey, aided by drumming and movement techniques that induce a shamanic state of consciousness and can awaken dormant spiritual abilities and connections with Nature. They will have the opportunity to compare with others their discoveries in shamanic journeying and to work on personal problem solving. They will also learn methods for journeying to discover and study with their own individual spirit teachers in nonordinary reality, a classic step in shamanic practice. Along the way, participants will learn how the shamanic journey is utilized to restore spiritual power and health and how shamanism can be applied in contemporary daily life to help heal oneself and others, and the Planet. Completion of the workshop qualifies participants to enroll in more advanced workshops and training courses offered by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. Brunton brings a wealth of experience to his role as teacher of the workshop. As an anthropologist, he has investigated shamanism for more than 30 years. In 1984, Michael Harner introduced him to experiential Core Shamanism. Seeing shamanism from a new perspective after this introduction, he became deeply involved in teaching about this remarkable healing tradition, both within and outside the University. Dr. Harner appointed him to the International Teaching Faculty of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies in 1988. He was appointed a Field Associate for the Foundation in 1992, and has served as its Director of Field Associates since 1993. He was also appointed the editor of the Foundation's semi-annual journal, Shamanism, in 1993. Brunton has made Foundation trips to Korea, Sweden, Russia, Siberia, Central Asia (Tuva), Hungary, Northeastern China, Inner Mongolia and Estonia. On these occasions, he represented the Foundation at international scientific conferences, investigated, and documented surviving shamanic traditions with indigenous practitioners. In 1999 and 2000, he served as the chief consultant for a video documentary on shamanism. From the time he was introduced to experiential shamanic practice, Brunton has steadily explored shamanic healing with a select number of clients. This work has given him first-hand, authentic experience with healing work through helping spirits. The experience and insight gained on field trips, research, and writing, coupled with that acquired from his own shamanic teaching and healing work, continues to enrich Bill's breadth and depth of knowledge. He brings this knowledge to his experiential workshops. "The Way of the Shaman" workshop will be April 20-21 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, Minn. The registration fee is $215. Registration deadline is April 6. "The Way of the Shaman" is sponsored by Rattle and Drum Journeys and co-sponsored by Pathways. For more information or to register, contact Rattle and Drum Journeys, P.O. Box 80792, Minneapolis MN 55408, or call (612) 721-5566. Timothy Cope is a shamanic practitioner in Minneapolis. Copyright © 2002 Timothy Cope |
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