Learning Shamanism, meeting Mr. Iboga

[forteanajones]

Two-part question about Shamanism and Ibogaine treatment.

As a newbie to Shamanism, I am going to be attending Michael Harner's basic workshop (http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/basic.html) this weekend in San Francisco. Anyone here familiar with his work? Any advice to one who comes from a contrasting atmosphere? I found his book to be very engaging in its no-nonsense approach. Afterwards I will return to my little family abode to practice on my skeptical wife who wonders if I might be losing it.

And that segways into a trip I am planning to an Ibogaine treatment facility (http://www.ibogaine-therapy.net/) where I'll spend a few days "clearing the cobwebs" (history of social anxiety & depression). Afterwards I may either work with a friend who is about to complete a degree here (http://www.wrightinst.edu/) or with someone I don't know well at ITP (http://www.itp.edu).

I am concerned about two things. Number one, my maternal grandmother's sister was full-blown schizophrenic and my maternal uncle is possibly borderline (homeless but not prone to any classic symptoms). Number two, there was that dream (http://www.breakingopenthehead.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000020) my daughter had which turned out to forecast a benign brain tumor my brother had removed last month (he is OK). The dream (not mentioned in my post) actually related two people who died after eating the cactus pear, the nastier death by the one "who forgot to say the magic words". Since then I have been told that there is a definite history of "second sight" in my mom's family.

Again, any practical advice or words of warning? Should I be concerned even if I have no such symptoms myself?

[ February 25, 2004, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: forteanajones ]

[Woodpecker]

It's very hard to offer any kind of advice in such a case, except, maybe, keep some skepticism of messages from the beyond, no matter of how authoritative they may sound. Once during an ayahuasca ceremony, a disembodied voice told very clearly to prepare myself because my father was going to die in six hundred days.

I brought the matter to Cesario afterwards, and he said it was "a trick."

Six hundred days came and went, and my father didn't die.

[gone]

FJ, I can relate to what you’re saying.

I agree with Wpkr – a little skepticism is good. It does not mean you don’t believe, nor does it undermine your Path – it just means you’re whittling away some of the dead wood (of which there is plenty).

Good luck. Everything is as it should be – even when we don’t like it.

[ February 26, 2004, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: gelfer ]

[daniel]

Sometimes it can be a good sign if the people around you think you are losing it... not always, of course.

I think - and hope - that you will find ibogaine to be profound. I certainly did.

[Agent Smith]

hiya,

I took the basic workshop from the Foundation For Shamanic Studies (harner) and found it to be tremendously helpful. As was alluded to on another thread, one of the things i praticularly liked was their emphasis on personal experience. Once you learn the basics, you can really teach yourself (or be taught as you choose to view it) the rest. enjoy!

[forteanajones]

Woodpecker,

How true about healthy skepticism! Your disembodied voice reassures me.

gelfer,

Plenty of dead wood to be pecked away by a Woodpecker! ;) But this is true of course. Again I'm reassured.

daniel,

I certainly hope it will, and today I am less afraid than I was yesterday. I feel that if I don't fall of the line between now and the first day, it will be all the more profound.

Smith,

Great to hear a positive account of Harner, are you considering continuing the workshops or on your own?

[forteanajones]

Coincidentally, I just learned that on CSI last evening one of the subplots involved the murder of someone who had been helping an addict by administering ibogaine.

http://www.csifiles.com/news/110104_01.shtml
Grissom and Brass question Jake Sinclair, a former junkie and convict who now runs a rehab center. Sinclair uses the drug Ibogaine to force addicts to face their demons. The treatment worked so well for Burnell that he became a changed man, not only kicking his addictions but becoming spiritual as well. But Burnell's desire to help others with similar problems led him into dangerous territory...

TV is truly the evil Oracle...