"Power and Responsibility" with Guest Jonathan Horwitz on May 10 "Why Shamanism Now?" Radio Show

RHINEBECK, NY, May 05, 2011 (Press-News.org) Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now?: A Practical Path to Authenticity," shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt looks at the statement that we've all heard many times: "With great power comes great responsibility" and explores what will come of contemporary shamanism if we only focus on learning new skills to access greater and greater power. According to Pratt, the helping spirits are trying to teach us to be better humans. But are we listening? Traditionally, the practice of shamanism requires significant and constant personal sacrifice, not so much to gain power, but to become the person who can weld that power with responsibility. The responsible use of power is no small task when each act must be good for all living things.

In this episode of "Why Shamanism Now?" titled "Power and Responsibility", Pratt talks about the relationship between shamanic power and responsibility with guest Jonathan Horwitz, co-founder of the Scandinavian Centre for Shamanic Studies with Annette Høst. Jonathan is an elder and teacher in the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, and Hungary. His teaching focuses on shamanism as a spiritual path and is centered around his Three R's: Re-connecting with being alive, Re-discovering the spiritual power we are all born with, and Re-learning what it means to be a part of the whole. Horwitz tells listeners that the shamanic path is excellent for learning these things about being human and learning how to use these gifts and powers with responsibility.

Christina Pratt is an authentic, non-traditional contemporary shaman. In practice since 1990, she specializes 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 well-received book, An Encyclopedia of Shamanism (Rosen), is an 800-page, two-volume set with over 750 in-depth entries that clearly discuss 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 in Portland, OR, and New York, NY, 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.

Jonathan Horwitz has studied and worked with shamanism since 1972. For eight years he was on the staff of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, USA. Jonathan has an M.A. in anthropology, and is a shamanic counselor. In 1986 Horwitz and Annette Høst began the Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies where the courses are centered on learning to use the ritual tools of shamanism, experiencing shamanism as a spiritual path, shamanic healing, and embracing the Circle and all of Nature. Horwitz also runs a retreat centre, Åsbacka, in southern Sweden, where he offers training in personal healing retreats, Sitting Out weekends, and shamanic guidance for previous students. Horwitz now lives in southern Sweden at the Åsbacka Center for Shamanic Healing with his partner Zara Waldebäck. He feels his role in life is to help people to see where they are in the world, in their lives. "We never get anywhere alone. We're always being helped, although often we do not recognize this. But the shaman works by asking for help."

"Why Shamanism Now?", a live internet talk radio with host Christina Pratt, airs Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time http://www.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 from the iTunes library. Pratt also talks about Shamanic Healing on YouTube.

For more information on Christina Pratt, the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, and workshops and classes with Pratt, or to order An Encyclopedia of Shamanism at a special discounted rate, visit http://www.lastmaskcenter.org. Upcoming classes with Pratt include "Making Fear an Ally" on May 13-14; Shamanic Journey Circles the third Tuesday of every month; Wisdom of the Shaman talks every third Friday; and Qigong classes every Wednesday, all in Portland. A new session of Pratt's Four-Year Cycle of Transformation Training begins July 10. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, lwoz@frontiernet.net.