Category: Shamanism

• The Medicine Wheel: Empathy

  As I age I am becoming ever more appreciative of the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel teachings. As a result, I find I am increasingly looking for ways to incorporate them into my work, whether that be therapy, teaching, or traditional healing. This morning Jennie and I awoke very early, and were soon conversing about…

  Michael Watson PhD

  June 14, 2015

  First Nations, Shamanism, Teaching

  empathy, First Nations, Medicine Wheel, Shamanism

• A Blessing

  Sometimes blessings come, unannounced and unbidden. Tuesday was the last day of class for the semester. Around 5:10, as the last student was giving his presentation, I glanced out the window. Just above, and northeast of our classroom, four or five vultures circled. I interrupted the poor student and invited the class to come to…

  Michael Watson PhD

  April 30, 2015

  First Nations, Shamanism, Stories, Teaching

  Dr. Bernardo Peixoto, First Nations, Ipu, Shamanism, stories, teaching

• Resilience and Story

  Last evening I went for a walk along the lake. It was chilly and there had been snow earlier in the higher elevations. Still, a few people were out, some with their dogs. This morning dogs, and their people, were out in force. Spring must truly have arrived! (I just looked out the window and noticed…

  Michael Watson PhD

  April 26, 2015

  Healing, native american, Psychotherapy, Shamanism, Stories

  healing, Native American, psychotherapy, Shamanism, stories

• Teaching the Medicine Wheel

  Tuesday my class met with Alicia Daniels from the University of Vermont. Alicia is a field naturalist who has devoted many years studying with Indigenous healers, and to understanding the Medicine Wheel. Now she respectfully shares its teachings with students and elders. We met in my classroom, then, needing a place to construct the wheel…

  Michael Watson PhD

  April 23, 2015

  Shamanism

  Medicine Wheel, Shamanism, spirits