Guide to Choosing a Shamanic Practitioner or Teacher

Choosing who to work with, who to study from, is not something to be taken lightly. I've asked some extremely toxic people for help and paid the price. I know very well the risks involved with learning from someone who prioritizes their status above the integrity of their work and the health of their clients.

When I began studying shamanism, it was like giving vocabulary to what I've felt and known for my entire life. I watched YouTube videos, took online courses from a few different people, and read A LOT of articles and books. Eventually, I found my "tribe" and the way that's right for me to work. Here are my recommendations for anyone considering beginning this spiritual path:

1. Accept that there are two levels of learning: spirit and human. Human teachers are an important part of the process, but definitely not the only one. Perhaps, not even the main one. Learning directly from your helping Spirits is going to provide the personal insights that you can't see while you're in the thick of things, and what human teachers can't always understand without having lived what you have.

2. When there's someone you really want to learn from, do it. When it was suggested to me that I begin by taking an online course with Sandra Ingerman herself, I about had my mind blown at the opportunity for little old me. When I was informed there were scholarships available to help me afford it, it was like like Life itself was holding my hand and guiding my way. Later, when I learned of my Scandinavian ancestry, I saw a Facebook ad for my teachers in Sweden. I almost didn't do it, because I was afraid they wouldn't want to work with me, or would be another bad fit. There's a difference between being discerning and holding yourself back. I'm very glad I took the risk, they introduced me to the tribe I had always wished for, which prepared me for other opportunities that arose within a few years.

3. In both cases, with Sandra Ingerman and my teachers in Sweden, Jonathan Horwitz and Zara Waldebäck, having the honor of meeting them, they struck me as people who are so humble, I honestly couldn't tell if they knew how good they are. Not just as teachers and practitioners of shamanism, but on a personal level "off the clock." If the person you're considering working with doesn't walk the walk and talk the talk -- then run, don't walk away. If they don't inspire you, even with their human moments and quirks, it's not the right fit.

4. Once you've chosen someone and feel good about asking them for help, see how things progress. People can be a good fit for a certain piece of work, or for a timeframe, and then it may be time to have a beautiful ending that honors all the good that came from working together. I struggled with this, when changes inevitably arose, because I felt so lucky, so fortunate to have found one person willing to work with me, let alone three. It took university psychologists/psychiatrists three weeks to decide who would take my case, and it did almost nothing for me.

5. Remember, you're never trapped, stuck, or obligated to continue working with someone. If it's time to move on for any reason, and you know it, listen to it and act on it in a respectful way.