A shaman is a person who intentionally enters an altered state of consciousness and accesses allies in the Spirit realm to address the spiritual causes of illness and imbalance Through the shamanic journey, a technique practiced over 20,000 years and found in every culture, the shaman acquires vision, knowledge, and power to help and serve others. The realm of the shaman includes death, the mystery of darkness, Nature, and the renewal and empowerment of both the individual and the community. In terms of gay-centered consciousness, this means our renewal and empowerment as individual gay men, as walks-betweens, and our community.

During this experiential two-day workshop, we gather as gay men to create and hold Sacred space for one another, enabling each to move safely at one's own individual pace. You will be introduced to the basic techniques of the shamanic journey aided by drumming and movement. We will also explore dreaming and divination. You will learn how to awaken dormant spiritual abilities, connect with your spirit helpers, and restore personal power. You will discover how to apply these skills in your daily life for personal self-healing, restoration of harmony, empowerment, and spiritual evolution.

Workshop Info:

What to bring: a drum or rattle, a bandanna, cushion or blanket, a rock the size
of a grapefruit, notebook & pen, & wear comfortable clothes

FACILITATORS

David Conneely is a shamanic practitioner, dream worker, and member of the New York City Gay Men's Shamanic Circle. David has studied shamanic practice with the Gay Men's Medicine Circle in Los Angeles, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and recently completed a two-year-program in Celtic Shamanism with Tom Cowan. David served in the Peace Corps in Morocco, and is currently a Peace Corps Fellow in New York City working as a public high school science teacher while studying at
Teachers College, Columbia University.

Tony Allicino has studied shaman traditions with Michael Harner, Sandra Ingerman, David Corbin & Nan Moss, Tom Cowan, Christina Pratt, Elaine Egidio, and indigenous shamans from North and South America, and Greenland. For sacred rituals and ceremonies, he has served as a Gatekeeper and Water Carrier. He facilitates workshops on Core Shamanism, Fires of Transformation, and Mask of the Shadow Warrior. A founding member of the Shamanic Compass Drumming Circle, and member of the NYC Gay Men's Shamanic Circle, he is also a member of the Society of Shamanic Practitioners and will complete Sandra Ingerman's Two-Year East Coast Teacher Training
Program in May 2006