Even though I had read much about shamanism, I did not encounter the reality of shamanism until 2004, when I interviewed a shaman as part of a research project. Subsequently, this shaman conducted two soul retrievals for me, during which some remarkable things happened.

That following summer, I helped David Conneely organize the first Seeing in the Dark workshops to take place in New York City, out of which this circle emerged. Along with being a regular member of the circle since its inception, I have also taken workshops with Tom Cowan (Celtic shamanism), Hank Wesselman (author of Spiritwalker), and a Peruvian shaman.

As documented in Jesus and the Shamanic Tradition of Same Sex Love by Will Roscoe, I believe that queer persons play an integral role in Shamanic work, and delight in being in such a circle of gay men. I find the Shamanic work empowering, healing, and helpful in guiding the course of my life. I serve as research director for a community hospital in Brooklyn.