the institute of shamanic healing
mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire contemporary healing practitioners to remember the inner calling to the sacred profession of healing, to renew the soul-felt compassion that began their path, and to empower them with the wisdom of ancient shamanic healing methods found all over the world and taught to us by the masters of healing, the indigenous shamans. Inspired, renewed, and empowered by potent healing methods, these practitioners assist people on their spiritual life path by empowering people to heal inner wounds, align with the soul, and express the qualities of soul in their lives, which in turn will lead to reconnection with themselves, each other, the Earth Mother, and the Creator. These changes at the individual level will move us toward a future where societies are unified, nations are more cooperative, more people’s basic needs and rights are fulfilled, and we all live in harmony with the natural world. We're hoping (eventually) for the creation of heaven on earth.
Origins of the institute of shamanic Healing
Shaman Ross Bishop
The origins of the Institute begin with the life path and shamanic training of Shaman Ross Bishop, who brought the indigenous Maya shamanic teachings to this country and trained other apprentices, including the founder of the Institute, Dr. Selena Whittle.
Mahavatar Babaji
Bishop's spiritual training began in India in the late 1970's and early 1980's when he studied with Mahavatar (Haidakhan) Babaji. After 2 years of working and being with his Guru, Bishop was instructed by Babaji to go to a small town in Chiapas, Mexico, where he would meet his next teacher. Following his Guru's instructions, he found his next teacher, a Maya shaman in the small town and began his apprenticeship. As he learned the Maya shamanic healing techniques, he lived as the community lived, learning the cultural norms and values. That Bishop not only trained with, but was allowed to treat people from the indigenous culture testifies to the level of trust that both his shaman teacher and the community had in his skill level. When his Maya teacher felt that it was time for Shaman Ross to move on, he was sent to another shaman in Guatemala for further training. He trained with his new teacher for about 6 months before returning to the United States. (Bishop also spent about 6 months learning from the Aboriginal people of Australia, though it is not clear when this training occurred in relation to the other training he received).
In order to better serve the westernized culture of the United States, Bishop began to alter the shamanic healing methods with both the permission and encouragement of his indigenous Maya teacher. Without changing the core nature of the methods, Bishop altered the level of participation of the client, thus empowering the client to become the primary agent of healing. Bishop has written several books including About Life, Healing the Shadow and his newest addition, Finding Inner Peace. This method of shamanic healing that empowers the client to become the primary agent of healing while the shamanic practitioner facilitates and supports that healing is what we teach at the Institute. This is but one way our method of shamanic healing differs from other methods. For a more detailed description please review the article Shamanic Healing that Empowers the Client to Become the Healer.
In order to better serve the westernized culture of the United States, Bishop began to alter the shamanic healing methods with both the permission and encouragement of his indigenous Maya teacher. Without changing the core nature of the methods, Bishop altered the level of participation of the client, thus empowering the client to become the primary agent of healing. Bishop has written several books including About Life, Healing the Shadow and his newest addition, Finding Inner Peace. This method of shamanic healing that empowers the client to become the primary agent of healing while the shamanic practitioner facilitates and supports that healing is what we teach at the Institute. This is but one way our method of shamanic healing differs from other methods. For a more detailed description please review the article Shamanic Healing that Empowers the Client to Become the Healer.
