Welcome to the Apprenticeship!
Here you will find detailed information about your first retreat including the theme of the retreat, how to prepare, and how to begin your Apprenticeship community. Please review the information carefully and bookmark the page for future reference.
Personal Message from your apprenticeship leader
selena whittleIn one way or another, you are called to a path of healing and now you embark on a journey that will transform you and teach you the most ancient and widespread healing method known to humankind—shamanic healing.
You have communicated to me how excited you are to begin this process and I share in that excitement! I believe that each of us (myself included) will grow exponentially within ourselves and within our abilities to help others heal. I will say too that I recognize the wisdom that you bring and am honored to be a part of this group. |
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The apprenticeship is a transformational process. You will come to know much about the mystical processes of the universe, about the nature of consciousness and inner dynamics, about the wonder of relationships to all of creation, about the light of your soul. As you grow and change, you will begin to align with the soul and develop a sense of peaceful power and presence. I am humbly awed by you in your transformation and will say that it is truly a privilege to be a part of your process. Thank you for your trust in me.
When you make a choice such as embarking on Apprenticeship journey, when your soul calls and you respond with an enthusiastic “YES!”, a mysterious process unfolds. It is as if your soul, your Guides and Teachers, the Creator and the Earth Mother all conspire to support and challenge you to become the best healer you can be. Perhaps you’ve already noticed how your choice has affected your life. If so, I would remind you to indulge in self-care, particularly nurturing and comforting ways of being as well as celebratory activities! Also, remember that you are not alone in this journey (even on this physical plane). Your fellow Apprentices and I are here to support you and to celebrate with you!
I am honored to be your guide and know that together, we’ll create a deeply informative, meaningful, and transformative experience.
Contacting Your Apprenticeship Leader
You may contact me through email, text, or phone call.
Phone or Text: 503.908.1550
Email: Selena@Shamanic-Training.com or Selena@RestoreTheSoul.com
Availability: Although you may contact me at any time, I will not likely receive your message before
5:00 am or after 6:00 pm Pacific Time. Even so, I am very attentive to the needs of apprentices and will respond as quickly as possible. I am not available on Saturdays and Sundays, unless it is an emergency.
If I am unavailable and you are having a spiritual/emotional emergency and need immediate help, please contact Beth Terrence at BethTerrence@gmail.com or 443.223.0848.
When you make a choice such as embarking on Apprenticeship journey, when your soul calls and you respond with an enthusiastic “YES!”, a mysterious process unfolds. It is as if your soul, your Guides and Teachers, the Creator and the Earth Mother all conspire to support and challenge you to become the best healer you can be. Perhaps you’ve already noticed how your choice has affected your life. If so, I would remind you to indulge in self-care, particularly nurturing and comforting ways of being as well as celebratory activities! Also, remember that you are not alone in this journey (even on this physical plane). Your fellow Apprentices and I are here to support you and to celebrate with you!
I am honored to be your guide and know that together, we’ll create a deeply informative, meaningful, and transformative experience.
Contacting Your Apprenticeship Leader
You may contact me through email, text, or phone call.
Phone or Text: 503.908.1550
Email: Selena@Shamanic-Training.com or Selena@RestoreTheSoul.com
Availability: Although you may contact me at any time, I will not likely receive your message before
5:00 am or after 6:00 pm Pacific Time. Even so, I am very attentive to the needs of apprentices and will respond as quickly as possible. I am not available on Saturdays and Sundays, unless it is an emergency.
If I am unavailable and you are having a spiritual/emotional emergency and need immediate help, please contact Beth Terrence at BethTerrence@gmail.com or 443.223.0848.
About the first Retreat
The theme of this first retreat is laying the foundation for being a healer and in particular becoming a shamanic healer which includes: what it means to heal, how to care for yourself as a healer, the philosophical and practical foundations of shamanism, the call to the sacred path of healing, the shamanic journey, shamanic sight, power animals, and spirit teachers. You’ll learn how to awaken your drum (more about drums below), and about the spiritual practices of meditation as well as general perceptions and attitudes that support a spiritual path. From a shamanic point of view, we’ll be focused on relationships—relationships to the world around us, to each other, to the drum, to the spiritual path, to guides and teachers, and to ourselves as healers. In addition to all the amazing learning and experiences in the classes and healing sessions, we’ll be doing shamanic ceremony as well!
General Retreat Schedule
In keeping with the blending of western and indigenous teaching, the retreat includes classes and healing sessions—usually with classes occurring in the mornings and sessions in the afternoons. Evenings are free/integration/social time. We will often spontaneously decide on a group activity in the evenings as well.
Retreat Dates/Times
Check in: Thursday, 9/10 at 4:00 pm Pacific Time
Check out: Monday, 9/14 at 11:00 am Pacific Time
Retreat Officially Begins 8:00 am Friday and goes through 8:00 pm Sunday
People who live locally have the option of staying 2 or 4 nights, depending on your preference (although the lodging fee is a flat rate and does not change). Whether local or not, we encourage people to stay all 4 nights to get to know your fellow apprentices and perhaps spend time on your own on Thursday and Monday exploring the beauty of the area.
Location
Address: 21845 East Cascade Street, Rhododendron, OR 97049
We are renting a home in the foothills of Mt. Hood. It is surrounded by trees and backs to a river, which makes a lovely, scared space for our retreat. Being so close to Mt. Hood, we have the opportunity to hold classes and/or sessions in the woods provided that the weather is warm enough.
Getting There
For those flying in, Portland International Airport (PDX) is the airport to choose when making your reservations. For people flying in, we recommend purchasing your plane ticket sooner rather than later, as airfares tend to increase as the dates get closer. The airport is about an hour away from our rental home, so you'll need to find a ride to get there. Uber and Lyft are some alternatives. If you coordinate with other apprentices who are also in need of a ride, you may be able to lessen the fee. Local apprentices are usually willing to provide rides to people whenever possible.
Paying for the Retreat
The Institute will send you an invoice about a month before the retreat which will include the lodging fee as well as your first payment, arranged according to the payment method you selected during the registration process. Payment of this invoice reserves your place at the retreat. Please pay promptly upon receipt.
General Retreat Schedule
In keeping with the blending of western and indigenous teaching, the retreat includes classes and healing sessions—usually with classes occurring in the mornings and sessions in the afternoons. Evenings are free/integration/social time. We will often spontaneously decide on a group activity in the evenings as well.
Retreat Dates/Times
Check in: Thursday, 9/10 at 4:00 pm Pacific Time
Check out: Monday, 9/14 at 11:00 am Pacific Time
Retreat Officially Begins 8:00 am Friday and goes through 8:00 pm Sunday
People who live locally have the option of staying 2 or 4 nights, depending on your preference (although the lodging fee is a flat rate and does not change). Whether local or not, we encourage people to stay all 4 nights to get to know your fellow apprentices and perhaps spend time on your own on Thursday and Monday exploring the beauty of the area.
Location
Address: 21845 East Cascade Street, Rhododendron, OR 97049
We are renting a home in the foothills of Mt. Hood. It is surrounded by trees and backs to a river, which makes a lovely, scared space for our retreat. Being so close to Mt. Hood, we have the opportunity to hold classes and/or sessions in the woods provided that the weather is warm enough.
Getting There
For those flying in, Portland International Airport (PDX) is the airport to choose when making your reservations. For people flying in, we recommend purchasing your plane ticket sooner rather than later, as airfares tend to increase as the dates get closer. The airport is about an hour away from our rental home, so you'll need to find a ride to get there. Uber and Lyft are some alternatives. If you coordinate with other apprentices who are also in need of a ride, you may be able to lessen the fee. Local apprentices are usually willing to provide rides to people whenever possible.
Paying for the Retreat
The Institute will send you an invoice about a month before the retreat which will include the lodging fee as well as your first payment, arranged according to the payment method you selected during the registration process. Payment of this invoice reserves your place at the retreat. Please pay promptly upon receipt.
at this retreat, you will receive...
In addition to the classes and healing sessions, the experiences and ceremony, you will receive an Apprenticeship Manual with over 70 pages! of supporting materials and a Gift from your Apprenticeship Leader...
Apprenticeship Manual for First Retreat
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Gift from Your Apprenticeship Leader
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preparing for the retreat
While the information below will tell you about the to-do’s that will prepare you, please also consider how you’re feeling and thinking about the retreat. Take time to get quiet and look inside as part of that preparation. You may experience a wide range of emotions such as excitement, elation, and trepidation as examples. If you need help or a bit of support in processing these emotions, please reach out to the Apprenticeship Leader or your fellow Apprentices.
Books
Go ahead and purchase, then begin reading The Hollow Bone by Colleen Deatsman . This book is easy-to-read and provides a thorough introduction to shamanism. We’ll be focused on the topics in parts 1, 2, and 3 in the classes and discussions. Also, go ahead and purchase Emergence of the Psychic by A.S. Dalal .Although we will not be talking about this subject until classes following the retreat, this book takes time to arrive. Ordering it now will ensure that you have it when you need it.
Sacred Object(s)
At the beginning of the retreat, we’ll be creating an altar. Please bring a sacred object to place on the altar. The object doesn’t have to be particularly “shamanic,” but it should definitely have meaning for you. By putting it on the altar, you are making a symbolic statement about your presence in the group for the duration of the retreat. You will take the sacred object back with you when you leave.
The Drum
The drum is the sacred instrument of the shaman. If you do not already have a drum, I would recommend going to Cedar Mountain Drums in Portland, OR to purchase a drum if possible. The owner, Patrick, was called to the profession and has been making drums for decades. Let the drum choose you. Alternately, you can make your own as well from materials sold at that same store.
Poetry, Writing, or Songs
If you have any poetry, writing or songs that have particular meaning for you at this time in your life or are related to your call to shamanic healing (or healing in general), please consider bringing them.
Preparation for Ceremony
Also, as we will be doing ceremony, you might want to bring any musical instruments that you play. Along that same line, you may choose to bring ceremonial clothing if you like.
Paper and Pens/Pencils (optional)
Although you will be receiving a binder from the Institute of Shamanic Healing with supportive material and information, consider bringing your own paper and pens for note taking if you choose to do so.
Clothing and Shoes
Please wear comfortable, casual clothing and bring warm house-shoes/booties to keep your feet warm indoors.
Alcohol and Recreational Drugs
Please abstain from alcohol and other recreational mind-altering substances during the retreat. If you are addicted to a recreational substance, please talk to your apprenticeship leader before the retreat.
Electronics
Please feel free to bring any electronic device you'd like on the retreat, but I ask that you refrain from using all electronic devices during classes and healing sessions. You can leave them in your room to check or use on breaks, mealtimes, and open time.
Food
We’ll be providing our own food for the retreat. Please plan on providing a dish or two for sharing as well as any other food that you may want to make your stay comforting and nurturing. People who are coming from a distance may want to do a bit of grocery shopping on the way in or borrow a car from someone after you arrive, to the Hoodland Thriftway. For a full shopping experience, there is a Safeway Store (37601 US-26, Sandy, OR 97055) which has a Starbucks inside. Closer to our rental house is Hoodland Thriftway (68280 US-26, Welches, OR 97067). In this same shopping center, there is also Coffee Brewsters . If someone wants to coordinate meals and food as we get closer to the retreat, please feel free to do that.
Books
Go ahead and purchase, then begin reading The Hollow Bone by Colleen Deatsman . This book is easy-to-read and provides a thorough introduction to shamanism. We’ll be focused on the topics in parts 1, 2, and 3 in the classes and discussions. Also, go ahead and purchase Emergence of the Psychic by A.S. Dalal .Although we will not be talking about this subject until classes following the retreat, this book takes time to arrive. Ordering it now will ensure that you have it when you need it.
Sacred Object(s)
At the beginning of the retreat, we’ll be creating an altar. Please bring a sacred object to place on the altar. The object doesn’t have to be particularly “shamanic,” but it should definitely have meaning for you. By putting it on the altar, you are making a symbolic statement about your presence in the group for the duration of the retreat. You will take the sacred object back with you when you leave.
The Drum
The drum is the sacred instrument of the shaman. If you do not already have a drum, I would recommend going to Cedar Mountain Drums in Portland, OR to purchase a drum if possible. The owner, Patrick, was called to the profession and has been making drums for decades. Let the drum choose you. Alternately, you can make your own as well from materials sold at that same store.
Poetry, Writing, or Songs
If you have any poetry, writing or songs that have particular meaning for you at this time in your life or are related to your call to shamanic healing (or healing in general), please consider bringing them.
Preparation for Ceremony
Also, as we will be doing ceremony, you might want to bring any musical instruments that you play. Along that same line, you may choose to bring ceremonial clothing if you like.
Paper and Pens/Pencils (optional)
Although you will be receiving a binder from the Institute of Shamanic Healing with supportive material and information, consider bringing your own paper and pens for note taking if you choose to do so.
Clothing and Shoes
Please wear comfortable, casual clothing and bring warm house-shoes/booties to keep your feet warm indoors.
Alcohol and Recreational Drugs
Please abstain from alcohol and other recreational mind-altering substances during the retreat. If you are addicted to a recreational substance, please talk to your apprenticeship leader before the retreat.
Electronics
Please feel free to bring any electronic device you'd like on the retreat, but I ask that you refrain from using all electronic devices during classes and healing sessions. You can leave them in your room to check or use on breaks, mealtimes, and open time.
Food
We’ll be providing our own food for the retreat. Please plan on providing a dish or two for sharing as well as any other food that you may want to make your stay comforting and nurturing. People who are coming from a distance may want to do a bit of grocery shopping on the way in or borrow a car from someone after you arrive, to the Hoodland Thriftway. For a full shopping experience, there is a Safeway Store (37601 US-26, Sandy, OR 97055) which has a Starbucks inside. Closer to our rental house is Hoodland Thriftway (68280 US-26, Welches, OR 97067). In this same shopping center, there is also Coffee Brewsters . If someone wants to coordinate meals and food as we get closer to the retreat, please feel free to do that.
beginning your apprenticeship community
You will be beginning relationships that will deepen through your experience and may last a lifetime. The other Apprentices will support and nurture you through the process as well as celebrate growth with you! In beginning your Apprenticeship Community, you'll receive invites to join a private FaceBook group. While joining the group is totally optional, joining will provide you with an avenue to interact with fellow Apprentices, ask questions, discuss topics, and offer support. Also, please consider checking out and “liking” the FB page for the Institute of Shamanic Healing. You’ll find articles of interest as posts there as well as on the blog page of the website.