"Global Dismemberment: Through the Shaman's Eye" on September 20 "Why Shamanism Now?" Radio Show

JERSEY CITY, NJ, September 13, 2011 (Press-News.org) Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, September 20, 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 asks the question so very many are asking these days: What is happening around us? We see severe weather, colossal oil spills, and species dying off. We see illness, obesity, and rising incidents of mental illness and coping disorders. We see corruption and an unfathomable void of ethics in banking, politics, and religions around the world. We see riots, anger, and hopelessness in our communities. According to Pratt, what the shaman sees in this is "dismemberment": the experience of being pulled apart, eaten, or stripped layer by layer, down to the bare bones on a global scale. "In a shamanic dismemberment," explains Pratt, "the individual, unaware that the experience is occurring in an altered state, dies the little death, which is the surrender of the ego that allows for a shift of awareness and transformation of consciousness."

In this episode of "Why Shamanism Now?" titled "Global Dismemberment: Through the Shaman's Eye," Pratt talks to award-winning author, teacher, consultant, motivational speaker, successful businessman, and urban shaman, Richard Whiteley who explains what is going on out there from a shamanic perspective. And perhaps more importantly, he shares why he feels there is reason to be hopeful and how we can participate with spirit in the Remembering so that the world we co-create is different than before.

Whiteley talks to Pratt as part of a series of "Why Shamanism Now?" episodes sponsored by the Society of Shamanic Practitioners (SSP). Throughout this series, Pratt explores how contemporary shamans are meeting the challenge of their world where the relations of things—the living and the dead, the humans and nature, and the technological world and the spirit world—are profoundly out of balance. It is the ancient role of the shaman in all cultures to tend the balance of things, and the question is asked: how are these shamans meeting this extraordinary need today?

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.

Richard Whiteley, author of The Corporate Shaman, (2002) was awarded five top honors shared among his three business books on customer-centered business and finding joy in your work. He is "a Harvard Business School educated, best-selling author and management consultant who moonlights as an urban shaman," says Business Week. Whiteley co-founded The Forum Corporation, a large, global business training and consulting firm, teaches at business schools across the country, and currently offers his expertise at The Whiteley Group. Whiteley is an award-winning leader and consultant and a dynamic presenter. He earned a BA from Wesleyan University, an MBA from Harvard, served in the United States Navy for 3½ years, and studied with medicine people for the past 18 years. Whitely has a healing practice in Boston that is based on his study and practice of shamanism. His work has included power animal retrievals and soul retrieval for individuals and organizations. He has recently performed as a percussionist and vocalist on a new CD entitled "Shamanheart". With his three sons, he has also created a drumming CD for assistance in shamanic journeying. http://www.whiteleygroup.com

"Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity", 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 a new Cycle of Transformation Four Year training starting October 7; advanced shamanism trainings for experienced practitioners starting with "Outlaw Shamanism: Creating Ritual and Ceremony That Works" on November 11-13, 2011; "The Basics of Living Well" series open to all starting in January 2012; as well as 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, Oregon. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, Woznicki.linda@gmail.com.