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Spirit Paths™ program is a 5-month cross-cultural
odyssey and experiential exploration of contemporary shamanic
teachings for living authentically.
It begins with an overview of basic shamanic practices,
then expands into five cycles in which you will learn:
• Serpent: The Path of Awareness
• Wolf: The Path of the Hunter
• Buffalo: The Path of the Soul
• Eagle: The Path of Spirit
The program can be taken in its entirety as an apprenticeship in contemporary shamanic practice or in separate sections.
Fundamentals of the Program
The Spirit Paths™ program was designed as an apprenticeship program in contemporary shamanic practice. Those seeking to take the entire program are considered apprentices. As such they are also asked to participate actively in other related practices, and to participate in creating the shamanic community space for the public. They also receive additional attention, including one personal session per month.
Each section can also be taken separately, with the exception that attendance at The Way of the Warrior is required. The optional Ritual Burial at the end of The Path of Awareness is available only to apprentice participants. It is not open to the public.
| Apprentice Commitment |
| In addition to attending all 5 sections, |
| • |
Attend Journey Circles (cost included) |
| • |
Attend at least 3 TranceDances during the 18 weeks
(cost not included) |
| • |
Assist in creating community space |
| |
|
| Each Section includes: |
| • |
1 6-hour workshop |
| • |
2-hour weekday evening training and support sessions
every two weeks |
| • |
Email support for questions, guidance |
| • |
Dedicated group email list |
| • |
1 personal session per Section
(apprentice program) |
The Way of the Warrior
Choosing
Freedom
The Warrior's Way puts your feet solidly on the ground to prepare you for the Initiation Journey. This section represents a form of Vision Quest, during which you focus on your personal power, intention, and preparedness. Begin daily practices to dismantle old habits and establish new ones.
Serpent: The Path
of Awareness
The Art of Being Fully Present
The Body has direct connection to the whole of the energy field. When you cultivate a relationship of trusting what your Body feels and knows, you come more fully into your own power and your own Being. You can be more real with yourself and others. When you then stand on the base of realness in your own Body, you are more capable of accessing your inner wisdom and power. You learn to stop running from discomfort, and can better distinguish your own truths from external "shoulds". It is from that base, that you are capable of making change.
Wolf:
The Path of the Hunter
The Art of Stalking
This Section explores intentional living, being present in every moment, infused by the focus of Intent. The Hunter uses more than instinct, though instincts are part of the Art. Observation, evaluation, planning are required. This is the proper use of Mind. The Way of the Hunter also requires clearing the Past of old patterns and wounds, to recover access to lost energy and power.
Buffalo: The Path
of the Soul
The Soul's Timeless Journey
Expanding perception beyond one's own life and
times offers a clarifying perspective. When we are in the moment is informed
by our past, not only our personal history, but the influences of our
ancestors in a line that goes back thousands of years. And spread before
us is our future, our children and their children, to the seventh generation
and beyond.
Eagle: The Path
of Spirit
Where Everything is One Thing
The Eagle soars in the highest places, and sees both the curve of the Earth and a mouse on the ground. From this perspective, everything is as it should be: balanced, perfect, and in need of nothing. This connection to Spirit brings everything into clear focus, and you can see your place in the whole of life. This section encourages you to seek your place in the Web of Life.
Facilitator
Gerry Starnes, M.Ed. began his practice working with
psychotic individuals and at-risk youth, using both psychological and
medical treatment models in the mid-1970s. Finding the results of these
modalities limited, he began a 20-year journey through energy healing
and other alternative methods of healing.
In the 1990s he encountered shamanism, and found it to be the most powerful
methodology for healing in all the realms. As a contemporary shamanic practitioner,
he now offers group and individual sessions, holds regular classes, and presents
a variety of workshops in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Gerry is a Founding Member of the Society of Shamanic Practitioners, and Executive
Director of Ravens
Grove Foundation for Healing.
More Information
Gerry Starnes, M.Ed.
Phone: 512-586-2736
|
|
| Schedule |
| Way
of the Warrior |
| 4
weeks |
| Workshop |
April 10 |
| Circles |
April 15, 29 |
 |
| Serpent:
Path of Awareness |
| 4
weeks |
| Workshop |
May 8 |
| Circles |
May 13, 27 |
|
| Wolf:
Path of the Hunter |
| 4
weeks |
| Workshop |
June 5 |
| Circles |
June 10, 24 |
|
| Buffalo:
Path of the Soul |
| 4
weeks |
| Workshop |
July 3 |
| Circles |
July 8, 22 |
|
| Eagle:
Path of Spirit |
| 4 weeks |
| Workshop |
July 31 |
| Circles |
August 5, 19 |
|
| Completion
Ceremony |
August 21 |
|
| Workshops
are scheduled 12:30 to 6:00 pm. Support circles
are 7:30 to 9:30 pm. |
Registration
Individual sections are $200 each
Apprentice Program (all sections) $900
- Ritual Burial option: $25
Download the brochure (pdf)
If paying for each section separately deposit
of 50% of the registration is due 2 weeks before
the workshop. Balance is due at the workshop.
If committing for the whole series, you can pay
$200 in advance and $175 monthly at the beginning
of each month for 4 months.
Application
Please note that not everyone applying for the Apprentice Program will be accepted into the Spirit
Paths™ program. Contact Gerry Starnes for an interview prior
to registration.
| From Past Participants |
“Following the path
of a shamanic practitioner into the realm of
a healer with practical hands on experience is
combining all of the knowledge gained in reading,
practice, participation in circles, the mentoring
of a skilled healer and connection with spirit,
to bring about a way of life that not only benefits
ones self but benefits the community. Spirit
Paths provides the environment to learn, share,
experience and grow in a safe, comfortable atmosphere.
It is truly life changing!”
– Wayne
|
"I was thrilled to
find myself able to use this healing process
with a fairly new client of mine. It just made
so much sense to sit with her and talk about
where in her body she felt pain and ask her what
emotions and stories came up for her as I worked
around her energy centers. The process took just
a few minutes and she reported immediate relief--both
physically and emotionally! Yea!! I am so grateful
to learn simple, yet efficient tools to help
myself and others heal."
- Cambrey, MA, LPC, Therapist
|
Spirit Paths is an engaging,
empowering journey for a number of reasons. One
is the close-knit, respectful community we are
constantly creating (on many levels), another
reason the hands-on learning, experiencing, doing,
and letting be done in the gathering of tools,
ideas, and information. Most empowering, for
me, is that I am constantly healing myself and
learning new ways to do so. One of the underlying
approaches to shamanic practice in this context
is that we all have the power and ability to
heal ourselves and that we each do that in unique
ways. I have learned that we do have that power,
especially when we seek guidance and give ourselves
the space to heal and learn. Spirit Paths is
an integral piece of my own journey back to wholeness
and I look forward to continuing to walk the
path and to see what unfolds.
– Casey
|
I am so honored and happy
to be on this journey with you all. The sharing
of knowledge, experiences, trust an true friendship
are wonderful gifts.
|
| Gerry, as a guide, mentor
and powerful energy healer and shamanic practitioner,
you have provided much to all you have encountered,
and we are blessed to have you in this role. |
|
