Shamanic Healing for Grief and Loss

Shamanic Healing for Grief and Loss

Embracing Healing: Shamanic Approaches for Resolving Loss and Grief

 

Grief, a natural response to loss, can manifest in various ways, profoundly impacting individuals on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. While grief is a universal experience, the journey of healing is deeply personal and unique to each individual. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative approaches to grief resolution, including Shamanic healing techniques. Rooted in ancient wisdom and indigenous traditions, Shamanic healing offers a holistic framework for navigating loss, facilitating healing, and restoring balance within the individual. In this comprehensive exploration, I will delve into the benefits and techniques of Shamanic treatments for resolving the symptoms of loss and debilitating grief in clients, illuminating the transformative potential of ancient wisdom in healing the wounded heart.

Understanding Loss and Grief from a Shamanic Perspective:

Shamanism views loss and grief as natural aspects of the human experience, acknowledging the profound impact they have on an individual’s mind, body, and spirit. From a Shamanic perspective, grief is seen not merely as an emotional response but as a spiritual journey of transformation and growth. Shamanic healing recognizes that unresolved grief can lead to soul loss, energetic imbalances, and spiritual disconnection, exacerbating feelings of pain, sorrow, and isolation. Central to Shamanic healing is the understanding that grief is not something to be overcome or suppressed but a sacred process of honoring and integrating the experience of loss into one’s life.

Benefits of Shamanic Healing for Loss and Grief:

Shamanic healing offers a myriad of benefits for individuals struggling with loss and debilitating grief, providing a safe and supportive space for healing, transformation, and spiritual renewal. Some of the key benefits of Shamanic healing for loss and grief include:

Facilitating Soul Retrieval: Loss and grief can result in soul fragmentation, where parts of the individual’s essence become disconnected or lost. Shamanic healing techniques, such as soul retrieval, aim to reclaim and reintegrate these lost soul parts, restoring vitality, wholeness, and resilience within the individual.

Honoring the Sacredness of Grief: Shamanic healing honors the sacredness of grief as a natural and necessary process of healing and transformation. By creating sacred space and holding compassionate presence for the client’s grief, Shamanic practitioners provide a supportive container for the expression and release of emotions, memories, and beliefs associated with the loss.

Connecting with Ancestral Wisdom: Shamanic healing draws upon the wisdom and guidance of ancestral spirits, elders, and lineage ancestors to support the individual in their journey of grief resolution. Through rituals, ceremonies, and ancestral healing practices, clients reconnect with their ancestral roots, finding solace and strength in the collective wisdom and resilience of their lineage.

Restoring Energetic Balance: Shamanic healing works to clear energetic blockages, release stagnant energy, and restore balance within the individual’s energy field. By harmonizing the flow of energy, clients experience a sense of lightness, clarity, and inner peace, easing the symptoms of grief and restoring vitality.

Cultivating Meaning and Purpose: Shamanic healing helps clients find meaning and purpose in their experience of loss, facilitating a deeper understanding of the lessons, blessings, and growth opportunities inherent in the grieving process. Through guided journeys, storytelling, and symbolic rituals, clients reclaim their power to transform pain into purpose and honor the legacy of their loved ones in meaningful ways.

Techniques of Shamanic Treatment for Loss and Grief:

Shamanic treatment for loss and grief encompasses a diverse array of techniques tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each client. While specific practices may vary among traditions and practitioners, some common Shamanic techniques for resolving grief include:

Soul Retrieval: When Shamanic practitioners journey into the spirit world to locate and retrieve lost soul parts fragmented as a result of loss and grief. Through rituals, ceremonies, and symbolic gestures, clients reclaim these lost aspects of themselves, restoring vitality, wholeness, and resilience.

Ancestral Healing: Shamanic healing involves connecting with ancestral spirits, elders, and lineage ancestors to receive guidance, support, and healing in the journey of grief resolution. Through rituals, offerings, and ancestor ceremonies, clients honor their lineage and ancestral wisdom, finding solace and strength in the collective support of their ancestors.

Rituals and Ceremonies: Shamanic rituals, such sacred drumming circles, create sacred space for healing, transformation, and spiritual renewal. These rituals help clients release grief, express emotions, and honor the memory of their loved ones in a meaningful and symbolic way.

Nature Immersion and Earth-based Practices: Shamanic healing often involves spending time in nature, communing with the elements, and connecting with the wisdom of the earth. Practices such as nature walks, and earth-based rituals help clients ground themselves, find solace, and reconnect with the natural rhythms of life.

Guided Visualization and Journeying: Shamanic practitioners guide clients into altered states of consciousness through rhythmic drumming, chanting, or visualization, allowing them to access deeper layers of the psyche and receive guidance from spirit allies or power animals. Guided journeys facilitate emotional release, insight, and spiritual connection, helping clients navigate the complexities of grief with greater clarity and resilience.

Case Studies and Success Stories:

Whilst I cannot share the confidential personal stories of my clients, for obvious reasons, I offer these very credible public domain examples:

Numerous case studies and testimonials attest to the effectiveness of Shamanic healing in resolving the symptoms of loss and debilitating grief, promoting healing, and restoring balance within individuals. One such example comes from the work of Dr. Sandra Ingerman, a renowned Shamanic practitioner and author who has pioneered the use of Shamanic techniques for grief resolution. In her book “Walking in Light,” Dr. Ingerman shares the story of a client who experienced profound healing and transformation after undergoing a series of Shamanic rituals and ceremonies to honor the loss of a loved one.

Another example comes from the work of Dr. Alberto Villoldo, a psychologist and Shamanic healer who has successfully treated clients with grief using soul retrieval and energy healing techniques. In his book “Mending the Past and Healing the Future with Soul Retrieval,” Dr. Villoldo recounts the case of a client who suffered from debilitating grief and emotional pain after the loss of a child. Through Shamanic rituals, ceremonies, and soul retrieval, the client experienced a deep sense of healing, acceptance, and peace, finding solace in the understanding that their loved one’s spirit lives on in the realm of the ancestors.

Benefits and Positive Outcomes of Shamanic Healing for Loss and Grief:

The benefits of Shamanic healing for loss and grief extend far beyond symptom relief, encompassing profound transformations in consciousness, perception, and quality of life. Some of the key benefits and positive outcomes of Shamanic healing for loss and grief include:

Increased Sense of Peace and Acceptance: Shamanic healing promotes a sense of inner peace, acceptance, and surrender in the face of loss, helping clients navigate the complexities of grief with grace and resilience.

Deepening of Spiritual Connection: Shamanic healing deepens clients’ connection to themselves, their loved ones, and the spirit world, fostering a sense of continuity, connection, and love that transcends the physical realm.

Cultivation of Resilience and Wisdom: Shamanic healing helps clients cultivate resilience, wisdom, and emotional intelligence in the face of loss, empowering them to embrace the challenges of life with courage and grace.

Honoring the Legacy of Loved Ones: Shamanic healing provides clients with opportunities to honor the legacy of their loved ones in meaningful and symbolic ways, fostering a sense of connection, continuity, and reverence for their memory.

Restoration of Vitality and Well-being: Shamanic healing restores balance, vitality, and well-being within the individual, helping them reclaim their joy, passion, and zest for life in the aftermath of loss.

A Final Note:

Shamanic healing offers a powerful and transformative approach to resolving the symptoms of loss and debilitating grief, providing a safe and supportive space for healing, transformation, and spiritual renewal. Through techniques such as soul retrieval, ancestral healing, and guided journeying, clients reclaim their vitality, inner wisdom, and sense of connection to themselves and the world around them. As individuals embrace the healing embrace of Shamanic traditions, they embark on a sacred journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and wholeness, finding solace, meaning, and purpose amidst the pain of loss.

Experience the many benefits of a Shamanic Treatment Session:

Reduce Stress

Feel Empowered

Find Answers to Your Questions

Get Rid of Negativity

Heal Mind, Body and Soul

Find Peace and Direction

Energize Yourself

 

Book Your Online Shamanic Session Today

Shamanic Healing for Easing Anxiety

Shamanic Healing for Easing Anxiety

Finding Calm Within: Shamanic Healing for Anxiety

 

In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety has become a prevalent issue affecting millions of individuals. While conventional treatments offer relief for many, there’s a growing interest in alternative approaches, including Shamanic healing techniques. Rooted in ancient wisdom and indigenous traditions, Shamanic healing offers a holistic approach to addressing anxiety by reconnecting individuals with their inner wisdom, restoring balance, and fostering a sense of inner peace. In this comprehensive exploration, I delve into the benefits and techniques of Shamanic treatments for resolving anxiety in clients, uncovering the transformative potential of ancient wisdom in healing the modern soul.

 

Understanding Anxiety from a Shamanic Perspective:

Anxiety, in Shamanic terms, is often seen as a manifestation of imbalances within the mind, body, and spirit. It arises when the individual’s energy becomes stagnant or disrupted, leading to feelings of fear, worry, and unease. From a Shamanic perspective, anxiety can stem from various sources, including past traumas, energetic blockages, and disconnection from nature and spirit. Central to Shamanic healing is the recognition that anxiety is not merely a symptom to be alleviated but a call to restore harmony and alignment within the individual.

 

Benefits of Shamanic Healing for Anxiety:

Shamanic healing offers a myriad of benefits for individuals struggling with anxiety, addressing the root causes of their distress and promoting holistic well-being. Some of the key benefits of Shamanic healing for anxiety include:

Restoring Energetic Balance: Shamanic healing techniques work to clear energetic blockages, release stagnant energy, and restore balance within the individual’s energy field. By harmonizing the flow of energy, clients experience a sense of lightness, clarity, and calmness, easing the symptoms of anxiety.

Reconnecting with Nature and Spirit: Shamanic healing often connects with the healing power of the earth, elements, and spirit allies. Through practices such as journeying, vision quests, and communing with nature, clients reestablish a deep connection with the natural world, finding solace, and grounding amidst the chaos of modern life.

Cultivating Inner Wisdom and Resilience: Shamanic healing facilitates a deepening of the client’s connection to their inner wisdom and intuition, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. By tapping into their innate wisdom, clients gain a sense of trust and confidence in themselves and their ability to cope with anxiety-provoking situations.

Healing Past Traumas and Emotional Wounds: Shamanic healing provides a safe and supportive space for clients to explore and heal past traumas and emotional wounds underlying their anxiety. Through techniques such as soul retrieval, and guided visualization, clients release suppressed emotions, memories, and beliefs, freeing themselves from the grip of anxiety.

Cultivating Mindfulness and Presence: Shamanic healing encourages clients to cultivate mindfulness and presence in their daily lives, fostering a deeper awareness of the present moment and a sense of inner peace. By learning to anchor themselves in the here and now, clients reduce the grip of anxious thoughts and worries, finding refuge in the stillness within.

 

Techniques of Shamanic Treatment for Anxiety:

Shamanic treatment for anxiety encompasses a diverse array of techniques aimed at restoring balance, harmony, and vitality within the individual. While specific practices may vary among traditions and practitioners, some common Shamanic techniques for easing anxiety include:

Shamanic Journeying: Clients are guided into altered states of consciousness through rhythmic drumming, chanting, or visualization, allowing them to access deeper layers of the psyche and receive guidance from spirit allies or power animals. Journeying helps clients gain insight into the root causes of their anxiety and receive guidance on how to overcome it.

Energy Clearing and Balancing: Shamanic practitioners work with subtle energies to clear blockages, release stagnant emotions, and restore balance within the individual’s energy field. Techniques such as energy extraction, aura cleansing, and chakra balancing promote a sense of flow, vitality, and well-being.

Nature Immersion and Earth-based Practices: Shamanic healing often involves spending time in nature, communing with the elements, and connecting with the wisdom of the earth. Practices such as forest bathing, nature walks, and earth-based rituals help clients ground themselves, find solace, and reconnect with their true essence.

Case Studies and Success Stories:

Whilst I cannot share the experiences and successes of my own clients, for obvious confidentiality reasons, I offer you these public domain examples of resolving anxiety with Shamanic Healing techniques.

Numerous case studies and testimonials attest to the effectiveness of Shamanic healing in easing anxiety and promoting holistic well-being. One such example comes from the work of Dr. Alberto Villoldo, a psychologist and Shamanic healer who has successfully treated clients with anxiety using soul retrieval and energy healing techniques. In his book “Shaman, Healer, Sage,” Dr. Villoldo shares the story of a client who experienced profound healing and transformation after undergoing a series of Shamanic rituals and ceremonies.

Another example comes from the work of Sandra Ingerman, a renowned Shamanic practitioner and author who has pioneered the use of Shamanic techniques for anxiety and trauma healing. In her book “Soul Retrieval,” Ingerman recounts the case of a client who suffered from debilitating anxiety and panic attacks for years before finding relief through Shamanic journeying and soul retrieval.

 

Benefits and Positive Outcomes of Shamanic Healing for Anxiety:

The benefits of Shamanic healing for anxiety extend far beyond symptom relief, encompassing profound transformations in consciousness, perception, and quality of life. Some of the key benefits and positive outcomes of Shamanic healing for anxiety include:

Increased Sense of Calm and Relaxation: Shamanic healing promotes a sense of inner peace, relaxation, and calmness, helping clients to reduce the intensity and frequency of anxious thoughts and sensations.

Greater Resilience and Coping Skills: Through Shamanic healing, clients develop greater resilience, emotional intelligence, and coping skills for navigating anxiety-provoking situations with grace and ease.

Improved Sleep and Physical Well-being: Shamanic healing supports restful sleep, physical relaxation, and overall well-being, helping clients to restore balance and vitality in mind, body, and spirit.

Enhanced Self-awareness and Empowerment: Shamanic healing fosters greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and empowerment, empowering clients to take charge of their healing journey and make positive changes in their lives.

Deeper Connection to Self and Others: Shamanic healing deepens clients’ connection to themselves, others, and the world around them, fostering greater empathy, compassion, and understanding in their relationships and interactions.

 

Conclusion:

Shamanic healing offers a powerful and transformative approach to easing anxiety by addressing the root causes of distress and promoting holistic well-being. Through techniques such as soul retrieval, energy clearing, rituals, and ceremonies, clients reclaim their vitality, inner wisdom, and sense of connection to themselves and the world around them. As individuals find refuge in the healing embrace of Shamanic traditions, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and inner peace, reclaiming their birthright to live with joy, vitality, and purpose.

Experience the many benefits of a Shamanic Treatment Session:

Reduce Stress

Feel Empowered

Find Answers to Your Questions

Get Rid of Negativity

Heal Mind, Body and Soul

Find Peace and Direction

Energize Yourself

 

Book Your Online Shamanic Session Today

Shamanic Healing for Treating Depression

Shamanic Healing for Treating Depression

Navigating the Depths: Shamanic Healing for Resolving Depression

 

Depression, a pervasive mental health condition affecting millions worldwide, manifests as a profound sense of sadness, hopelessness, and disconnection. While conventional treatments such as therapy and medication offer relief for many, there’s growing interest in alternative approaches, including Shamanic healing techniques. In this comprehensive exploration, I examine the benefits and techniques of Shamanic treatments for resolving depression in clients, uncovering the transformative potential of ancient wisdom in healing the modern soul.

 

Understanding Depression from a Shamanic Perspective:

Shamanism, rooted in ancient wisdom and indigenous cultures, offers a unique lens through which to understand and address depression. In Shamanic cosmology, depression is viewed not merely as a biochemical imbalance but as a manifestation of soul loss, energetic disharmony, or spiritual disconnection. Central to Shamanic healing is the recognition of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, and the belief that healing requires addressing these aspects holistically.

 

Benefits of Shamanic Healing for Depression:

Shamanic healing techniques offer a holistic approach to depression treatment that resonates deeply with individuals seeking a sense of wholeness and meaning in their lives. Unlike conventional treatments, Shamanic healing addresses the root causes of depression at the soul level, facilitating profound shifts in consciousness, perception, and emotional well-being. Some of the key benefits of Shamanic healing for depression include:

Soul Retrieval: One of the core Shamanic techniques for addressing depression is soul retrieval. Soul loss, believed to occur due to trauma or significant life experiences, can leave individuals feeling fragmented and disconnected. Through soul retrieval ceremonies, Shamanic practitioners assist clients in reclaiming lost soul parts, restoring vitality, purpose, and resilience.

Energetic Clearing and Balancing: Shamanic healing involves working with subtle energies to clear blockages, release stagnant emotions, and restore energetic balance within the individual. Rituals, ceremonies, and energy clearing techniques help to cleanse the aura, chakras, and energy field, promoting a sense of lightness, clarity, and inner harmony.

Connection to Nature and Spirit: Shamanic healing will connect to the boundless energies of natural settings, harnessing the healing power of the earth, elements, and spirit allies. Through practices such as journeying, vision quests, and communing with plant medicines, clients reconnect with the wisdom of nature and their own inner guidance, finding solace and inspiration in the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

Symbolic and Metaphorical Healing: Shamanic healing incorporates symbolic rituals, storytelling, and metaphorical language to facilitate deep healing and transformation. Symbols, animal spirits, and archetypal imagery serve as gateways to the unconscious mind, allowing clients to explore and integrate suppressed emotions, memories, and beliefs underlying their depression.

 

Techniques of Shamanic Treatment for Depression:

Shamanic treatment for depression encompasses a diverse array of techniques tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each client. While specific practices may vary among traditions and practitioners, some common Shamanic techniques for resolving depression include:

Shamanic Journeying: Clients are guided into altered states of consciousness through rhythmic drumming, chanting, or visualization, allowing them to access deeper layers of the psyche and receive guidance from spirit allies or power animals.

Hands-On Healing: Shamanic practitioners may use hands-on techniques such as energy healing, massage, or soul extraction to clear energetic blockages, restore vitality, and promote physical and emotional well-being.

Integration and Aftercare: Following Shamanic treatment, clients are supported in integrating their experiences and insights into their daily lives. This may involve self-care practices, journaling, counseling, or ongoing support from the Shamanic practitioner or community.

 

Benefits and Positive Outcomes of Shamanic Healing for Depression:

The benefits of Shamanic healing for depression extend far beyond symptom relief, encompassing profound transformations in consciousness, perception, and quality of life. Some of the key benefits and positive outcomes of Shamanic healing for depression include:

Deep Healing and Transformation: Shamanic healing addresses the root causes of depression at the soul level, facilitating profound shifts in consciousness, perception, and emotional well-being. Clients experience a sense of wholeness, vitality, and empowerment as they reclaim lost soul parts and integrate suppressed emotions, memories, and beliefs.

Spiritual Awakening and Connection: Shamanic healing reconnects clients with their inner guidance, spiritual essence, and the wisdom of nature, fostering a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging. Clients experience a deepening of their spiritual practice and a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life.

Enhanced Resilience and Coping Skills: Through Shamanic healing, clients develop greater resilience, emotional intelligence, and coping skills for navigating life’s challenges. They learn to trust their intuition, cultivate healthy boundaries, and embrace uncertainty with grace and courage.

Improved Relationships and Communication: Shamanic healing fosters deeper connections and intimacy in relationships as clients release old patterns, heal emotional wounds, and communicate authentically from the heart. Clients experience greater empathy, compassion, and understanding in their interactions with others.

Greater Joy, Creativity, and Vitality: Shamanic healing awakens clients to the joy, beauty, and magic of life, inspiring them to pursue their passions, express their creativity, and live with purpose and presence. Clients experience a renewed zest for life and a deep appreciation for the gift of being alive.

 

A Final Note:

Shamanic healing offers a profound and transformative approach to resolving depression by addressing the root causes of suffering at the soul level. Through soul retrieval, energy healing, rituals, ceremonies, and connection to nature and spirit, clients experience deep healing, spiritual awakening, and a renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and vitality. As individuals reclaim lost soul parts, integrate suppressed emotions, and align with their true essence, they embark on a sacred journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and wholeness. In the embrace of Shamanic healing, the shadows of depression give way to the light of transformation, illuminating the path to a life filled with joy, creativity, and authentic connection.

Experience the many benefits of a Shamanic Treatment Session:

Reduce Stress

Feel Empowered

Find Answers to Your Questions

Get Rid of Negativity

Heal Mind, Body and Soul

Find Peace and Direction

Energize Yourself

 

Book Your Online Shamanic Session Today

The Impact of Soul Loss: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Healing

The Impact of Soul Loss: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Healing

Exploring the Impact of Soul Loss: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Healing

 

Soul loss, a concept rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, refers to the fragmentation or dissociation of the individual’s essence resulting from trauma or significant life experiences. While often overlooked within mainstream Western society, soul loss can profoundly affect an individual’s well-being and vitality. As this topic is not typically addressed in our media, I thought it required a comprehensive exploration of this issue, so let’s delve into the causes, symptoms, treatment, and healing of soul loss, shedding light on its far-reaching implications and transformative potential.

Understanding Soul Loss:

Soul loss occurs when parts of the individual’s essence, often referred to as soul fragments, become disconnected or trapped due to traumatic events, emotional distress, or prolonged stressors. In traditional healing practices, such as Shamanism, soul loss is seen as a root cause of various physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments. These fragmented aspects of the self can lead to a sense of emptiness, disconnection, and dysfunction in various areas of life.

 

Causes of Soul Loss:

Soul loss can result from a myriad of experiences, ranging from acute traumas like accidents, abuse, or loss of a loved one to chronic stressors such as ongoing conflict, societal oppression, or existential crises. Any event that overwhelms the individual’s capacity to cope and adapt effectively has the potential to trigger soul loss. Moreover, cultural and intergenerational traumas can contribute to collective soul loss within communities or societies.

 

Outward and Inward Symptoms:

The manifestations of soul loss vary from person to person, but common outward symptoms may include chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, and a sense of emotional numbness or detachment. Inwardly, individuals experiencing soul loss may feel fragmented, incomplete, or disconnected from their sense of purpose, passion, and inner guidance. They may also struggle with feelings of unworthiness or a lack of belonging.

 

Treatment Process of Soul Loss:

Healing soul loss involves a multifaceted approach aimed at retrieving and reintegrating fragmented aspects of the individual’s essence. Central to this process is the recognition and acknowledgment of the trauma or life experiences that led to soul loss. Therapeutic modalities such as Shamanic soul retrieval, energy healing, and power animal retrieval are commonly employed to facilitate soul retrieval and integration.

Shamanic soul retrieval involves journeying into the spirit world to locate and retrieve lost soul fragments with the assistance of a trained practitioner. Through rituals, ceremonies, and symbolic gestures, the practitioner guides the individual in reclaiming these fragmented aspects and reintegrating them into their being. This process is often accompanied by profound insights, emotional release, and a renewed sense of wholeness and vitality.

 

Benefits and Positive Outcomes of Healing Soul Loss:

The journey of healing soul loss can yield transformative benefits and positive outcomes that extend beyond mere symptom relief. As fragmented aspects of the self are reintegrated, individuals often experience a deep sense of inner peace, empowerment, and alignment with their true purpose and potential. Emotional wounds begin to heal, allowing for greater resilience, creativity, and authenticity in navigating life’s challenges.

As the process of the soul piece integrations are completed, healed individuals report enhanced vitality, clarity, and connection to themselves, others, and the world around them. Relationships improve as they cultivate healthier boundaries, communication skills, and emotional intimacy. Additionally, individuals often experience spiritual awakening and a renewed sense of meaning and connection to the sacred within and beyond themselves.

 

Final Note:

Soul loss, though often overlooked, holds profound implications for an individual’s overall well-being and vitality. By addressing the root causes, symptoms, and treatment of soul loss, individuals can embark on a transformative journey of healing and wholeness. Through therapeutic modalities such as Shamanic soul retrieval, individuals can reclaim lost aspects of themselves and experience profound positive outcomes. Ultimately, the journey of healing soul loss is a sacred pilgrimage towards self-discovery, empowerment, and integration, leading to a life filled with greater joy, purpose, and authenticity.

Experience the many benefits of a Shamanic Treatment Session:

Reduce Stress

Feel Empowered

Find Answers to Your Questions

Get Rid of Negativity

Heal Mind, Body and Soul

Find Peace and Direction

Energize Yourself

 

Book Your Online Shamanic Session Today

Disconnected Connectedness

Disconnected Connectedness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has always considered mental well-being as an integral part of the general definition of health. WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

A fact sheet published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health cites:

  • In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health or addiction problem.
  • By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have – or have had – a mental illness
  • 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence.
  • Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group.
  • 34% of Ontario high-school students indicate a moderate-to-serious level of psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression). 14% indicate a serious level of psychological distress.

Why are mental health issues on the rise, especially among youth? .

Startling Increase in Major Depression Among Teens

A recent article in Time Magazine states: there’s been a significant increase in the percentage of young people aged 12-20 who have reported having a major depressive episode (MDE).

In a time when technology gives us tools to connect with others so easily,why then does it seem like seem like this access is making us feel more isolated? As we are increasingly using electronic tools like cell phones and computers as our communication and connection medium, are we losing something vital that might nourish our own mental health? I fear that this may in fact be true.  I fear that this new world of constantly being plugged in may be the main cause of what I call ‘Disconnected Connectedness’.

The pressure of always being ‘on’ and the increasing expectation of North American society to publicly log our activities seems to be making people more unhappy – not less.  It used to be that once we walked in our front doors we could shut out the pressures, comments, social measuring sticks and other influences that endlessly flog our psyche.  That closed door used to give shelter, respite, from the expectation onslaughts.

Ironically, the 24/7 access that  new technologies provide  that makes us all effuse about the convenience and coolness, is in  reality turning us, especially youth, into prisoners of modern communication. The worst offender, cell phones, have morphed into a dual role of lock and key – depending on which way you are facing…

The more connected with are with technology, the more disconnected we can feel because we don’t actually feel the way we say we feel when we log ourselves.  So the more we reach out, the more isolated we can become. It is not a wonder that the youth, who have grown up in this digital age and have not experienced a substantial period of their lives where there was not constant external input and commentary, have little – if any – dexterity in unearthing who they are naturally.

The looking-glass self is a social psychological concept created by Charles Horton Cooley in 1902. It states that a person’s self grows out of society’s interpersonal interactions and the perceptions of others.  I believe that the digital age has expanded that dynamic. It could be argued that this concept is on steroids in the digital age.

In many respects, young people today can almost be seen as non-participants in their development of self.  They are standing behind the looking glass watching their projected self interact with the world — Disconnected Connectedness.

We all crave connection with others.  And as we know – nature abhors a vacuum.  The digital age has created the perfect environment for Social Media to flourish.  It is time to help our kids step back and develop a sense of themselves for themselves.  

I believe that is why there is a growing sense of need to search for something that fills our souls not simply our social media profiles.  We crave connection with others but first we must become grounded ourselves.  Shamanism is one way that allows us to connect with ourselves, our soul, our uniqueness and our sense of worth. Shamanism offers something for everyone.  I have had the pleasure of training with people from various religions and parts of the world.  As our paths cross, we cherish and respect the uniqueness of each person’s path.  It is time we help our youth find their unique path, knowing they are in fact connected –  via their unique path to the Universe…  

~The Wired Shaman

 

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