Q
How did you discover soul retrieval?
A
When I found shamanism, I already had a successful practice in NYC using myofascial release as my primary modality. I had witnessed soul retrieval take place a few times during MFR treatment sessions but didn’t have language for it yet.
So when I stumbled upon a shamanic drumming circle where we did healing work on ourselves and each other, I took to it immediately and saw how complementary it would be for my practice. I also began to notice that if I did MFR work on a client first, the soul retrieval process had a much greater impact or chance of succeeding.
Q
Why are myofascial release and soul retrieval work interconnected?
A
The fascial system is a physical matrix that supports and strengthens our bodies in each position in space and with every movement we make. Fascia becomes restricted and injured during trauma, whether acute and big (ex. the results of a car accident) or small, repetitive motions over time (ex. using a computer for many hours a day). Within the fascial system or matrix is where these areas of trauma can be found.
The fascial system absorbs the impact of the trauma and works immediately to strengthen and heal the wounded area. It creates a thicker sheet, and although this works to temporarily strengthen and support the wound, over time it creates an overall system weakness. Now the impacted area has density, which other traumas are magnetized to.
This is due to basic physics and the fact that this area can not bend and move like other areas. Therefore, the impact is more like hitting a stone wall rather than a tough rubber band. These areas will continue to get harder and pull more on the surrounding web of fascia if we don’t work diligently to bring our soul essence back in, as we do in retreat.
Q
What if I’ve had a serious injury? Will that affect my ability to heal?
A
If our fascial system has been predisposed to injury, meaning other traumas have already occurred, it can make our system more vulnerable to being injured in other ways. For instance, let’s say I injured my right leg or hamstring while running. Over time, as it healed, it did so with a tightening down of the fascial system.
Then that place began pulling into my foot so my foot was also less pliable and less capable of movement. Then I fell again when running by twisting my ankle because my ankle didn’t have the capacity to avoid this injury. It had been set up with increased tightness due to my original injury three years ago. If it weren’t for that hamstring injury, my ankle may have been shaken but not twisted, which prevented me from running for days or weeks.
While the fascial system can become restricted by external forces, like the injury described, it can be just as deeply impacted by internal forces, such as emotional or mental stress, and of course, our genetics. Which is why addressing both through the power retrieval experience can help to resolve myriad challenges and discomforts.
Q
What role do genetics play?
A
Our genetics are like our computer servers or hardware; they’re less malleable than other elements of our lives. Think hair color, body shape, or tendency toward certain medical conditions. Our epigenetics (or the way our genes express themselves), however, are more like markers or tendencies. If we know about them, understand them and work with them, we are more or less likely to make them manifest.
But, they do make us more likely than others who don’t possess these markers to have certain qualities or characteristics. Things like a fear of spiders, a dislike of carrots, or high levels of anxiety in general or about specific things. They can also be positive qualities, like creativity, organization skills, resilience, social skills.
On top of this, we are raised in environments and within communities of family and friends that support or discourage these qualities and characteristics. Collectively, they work hard to instill a desire to fit into the culture and social stratum therein. Much of this occurs outside of our conscious awareness so we are set up with habits and develop patterns based on these external forces or experiences. They seem or feel beyond our control.
And then you add trauma. In this lifetime we are living in and past lifetimes, we all experience trauma, either big T or small T. Either way, it accumulates over time and will continue along our epigenetic lines until it is faced.
How long can someone experience soul loss?
Trauma launches us into the stages of grief as Kubler Ross describes. Sometimes this happens very quickly. Other times it can take months or years to go through denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. The problem is that oftentimes, there is a part of us that doesn’t want to accept, doesn’t want to be back in that body, and decides it’s going to leave.
In shamanic healing, this part goes to a place in extraordinary reality where it can be retrieved. We may think we’ve accepted. We may think we’re fine. We may say: “It’s been two years; I have to get over it already.” But without that part, we are unable to get to a place of true acceptance. We are not whole.
Q
How do you know when soul retrieval has happened?
A
Most people can feel the return of the soul parts energy during the retreat. They see the part, and bring it back with the help of their power animal. After the retreat, the experience of living with this part means the person struggles less with whatever issue they wanted to resolve over the weekend. It often feels easy, there is no need to have to “try” or “work hard” to resolve the issue. When the part is back, it is as if suddenly it’s all much clearer and easier. The physical pain subsides or is gone, the difficult relationships are no longer difficult etc.
Most of us have lost many soul parts over the years and lifetimes. Many participants return to the Power Retrieval Retreat to continue this work. After attending the first time, a discount is offered for those who choose to come back.