WOUNDED​ HEALER
A SHAMANIC PATH TO FREEDOM
The state commonly labeled as “manic-depression” is described here not as a mental illness, but as a profound psychological process—one Jung saw as needing completion in order to reset the psyche.
​
In this view, extreme mood states represent a deep encounter with the unconscious rather than a chronic disease to be suppressed.
​
Contemporary psychiatry is portrayed as interrupting this inner process by chemically numbing the psyche, which is said to cause serious harm to the individual.
• The text argues that, because the mental health system is heavily financed by pharmaceutical companies, profit tends to take precedence over genuine healing.
Authors such as John Perry, R.D. Laing, Thomas Szasz, Roberto Assagioli, and Carl Jung are invoked to support the idea that psychotic or manic breaks can be terrifying but meaningful encounters with the unconscious, occurring without a strong enough ego to contain the experience.
From this standpoint, such crises are not viewed as “illnesses” but as destabilizing, potentially transformative psychological events
​
Responsibility is ultimately placed on each person to investigate, question, and choose a path of healing rather than automatically accepting drug-centered care
​
Insider's view of Shamanic initiation
Insider's view of Shamanic initiation
Your way forward will often be met with hostility, doubt, and misunderstanding.
• Those who have never entered this altered state of consciousness—including many mental health professionals and clergy—typically have no inner reference point from which to truly help
​
The initial phase of this experience generally requires about six weeks for the individual to begin reorienting to what is happening.
Periods of seclusion, along with supportive changes in diet and lifestyle, are presented as essential elements of the healing process
In earlier decades, dedicated centers such as Diabasis House, Soteria House, The Agnews Project, Burch House, and I‑Ward were created to support this process and consistently showed outcomes that validated a non‑medication approach
​
These programs were eventually closed due to lack of funding, while the conventional medical model, worth billions of dollars, was expanded because it generated profit rather than simple healing.
Confronting a billion‑dollar system is extremely difficult and often futile.
A more empowering choice is to do your own research and consciously design a personal system of healing that aligns with your experience and values.
A INITIATION PROCESS
Mistaken for Mental Illness
FAQ's
Why would individuals want to see a shamanic practitioner?
Shamanism views any illness as a lack of power. It sees the illness as a intrusion. Shamanism works on the spiritual aspect of the illness which is believed to be the root cause.
The aim of the work is to restore your full power. Once your power is restored the conditions of illness will also be affected.
Illness comes to us in many forms and for many different reasons. There is a working relationship between the individual and their illness. It is through the work of the spirits through the shaman that these relationships are identified and addressed.
This shamanic method is a working relationship between the spirits, shaman, and the patient.
The essence of the work is compassion, and the work is done to alleviate suffering of all kinds. In shamanism, you receive shamanic work, and by receiving, you participate in the reclamation of your health and power.
There may be more than one session that is necessary for both addressing your illness and learning its wisdom. A cure can be defined as cessation of all pain and physical symptoms. But sometimes there are several aspects that you need to address before you reach a state of wholeness. Like many things in life the road is not always straight.
When you are ready to work with your illness, to move through it -- that's an excellent time to see a shamanic practitioner.
And I am happy to answer questions or chat for a few minutes. Want to know more? Please e-mail me at Robertkelly2@optonline.net.
Research paleoanthropologist Hank Wesselman is one of those rare cutting edge scientists who truly walks between the worlds. In his explorations of these inner worlds, Hank may have also provided us with a glimpse into the possible evolutionary future of humanity.