“Shamanic Ritual and Ceremony” on April 22 “Why Shamanism Now?” with Host Christina Pratt

PORTLAND, Ore. - April 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, April 22, at 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern on "Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity,” shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt explains to listeners that shamanic ritual and ceremony are the “power tools” used by shamanic practitioners around the world to create change and transformation in their lives. Humans engage in ritual and ceremony to ask for help from the compassionate forces of the invisible world to accomplish what they cannot do themselves or what they are no longer able to expend enough energy and resources to do themselves.

In this week’s episode of “Why Shamanism Now?” titled “Shamanic Ritual and Ceremony”, Pratt is joined by guests Lenore Norrgard and Kent Dorsey to share the use of shamanic ritual and ceremony among contemporary practitioners. Pratt, Norrgard and Dorsey delve into the Conjure Dance, a very powerful dance ritual that grew out of the confluence of cultures in 18th century New Orleans. It is performed to bring about social healing, like the end of slavery, which was one of its historical uses. Pratt and her guests explore the use of this ritual to create social healing in our time.

Christina Pratt is a contemporary shaman specializing in mending the soul and transforming the parts of life that feel impossible. A teacher of exceptional clarity, humor, and inspiration, Pratt brings the power of shamanism into the practical grasp of anyone willing to take responsibility for improving the quality of their life. Her book An Encyclopedia of Shamanism clearly discusses the basic concepts of shamanism, methods, and traditions of over 50 different shamanic peoples. Pratt is the founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, creator of the original Foundations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing course at the University of Minnesota, and a frequent and honored speaker for the American Holistic Medical Association.

Lenore Norrgard, MA, HMSC,was called to the shamanic path in 1987 following 15 years of intensive social activism, during which she worked as a journalist for Reuter News Agency, earned a Masters degree in China studies, and lived in China for three years. From the time she was initiated into shamanism through a spontaneous healing from an animal spirit, she wanted to bring that miraculous healing power to bear on social ills. She experienced a life-changing paradigm shift around how to achieve profound social change, and started seeing herself as a social healer rather than as a social revolutionary. From very early on, her work as a shamanic healer, teacher and consultant has included working at the social level, most markedly through rituals for social healing. Norrgard offers “Shamanism for Activists” trainings; leads large, public peacemaking rituals, most recently for the opening rally of The Peace and Justice Studies annual conference; and she is currently involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement. Read about Norrgard’s spiritual activism in her article, “Ritual and Activism: The Alchemy of Social Transformation” in Sacred Hoop magazine (issue 58). www.CircleLivingEarth.org.

Kent Dorseyhas had a private shamanic healing practice for 13 years offering individual and group shamanic and spiritual healing sessions, chaplaincy, and officiating sacred ceremonies.  He was one of two American members of the Foundation For Shamanic Studies 2003 field expedition to Tuva, traveling to the Russian Republic to participate in the International Symposium on Shamanism in August 2003. The Tuvan government, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, sponsored this gathering where Dorsey worked alongside of 80 indigenous shamans from all over the world collectively performing healings for over 500 people. Dorsey has developed a deep connection to spirit based on his own experiences of direct engagement. In addition, he has trained with Michael Harner, Sandra Ingerman, Betsy Bergstrom, Lama Wangdu Rinpoche, Q’ero elders, Master Stephen Co (Pranic Healing) and the Iranian Master Healer, Behrooz Danadoost (Shafaw). His passionate focus is in teaching shamanism in our diverse western culture and bring it into the 21st century, www.munaykiawakening.com

"Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity", a live internet talk radio show with host Christina Pratt, airs Tuesdays at 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern time on co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm. Each week host Christina Pratt and guests explore the practical application of shamanic skills in our contemporary lives to create robust well-being, strong and clear community connections, and life enriching spiritual maturity. Listeners can ask questions by calling 512-772-1938 or via Skype. Prior episodes from "Why Shamanism Now" can be downloaded for free by visiting whyshamanismnow.com. Pratt also talks about Shamanic Healing on YouTube.

Upcoming Last Mask Center events include a Shamanic Journey Circle every third Wednesday of the month in Portland, OR and an Ancestral Healing Training April 22-24 and Actual Energy Clearing April 24-26, both in Boulder, CO.  For more information on these and other events, see the monthly calendar on http://www.lastmaskcenter.org/calendar/. For more information on Christina Pratt, the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, or to order An Encyclopedia of Shamanism at a special discounted rate, visit www.lastmaskcenter.org. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, marketing@lastmaskcenter.org