Category: Shamanism

• Gatekeeping

  I’ve had several conversations about gatekeeping as of late. I like that the term has so many connotations and applications. It is a metaphor worth lingering with. We are complex, self organizing, evolving systems. We need permeable boundaries to let in information and nutrients, and to release toxins and waste. If our boundaries are too…

  Michael Watson PhD

  January 28, 2015

  Psychotherapy, Shamanism

  boundaries, gatekeeping, psychotherapy, Shamanism

• A Thorny Problem

  A while back I received the Spring edition of Contemporary Shamanism. The first article was a piece by Hank Wesselman, Ph.D., entitled Australian Aboriginal Wisdom. I read the piece, or most of it, put the journal down, and forgot about it. Last night Jennie was rummaging through our magazines and brought it out. In his…

  Michael Watson PhD

  January 25, 2015

  First Nations, Shamanism, Social issues

  Australian Aboriginal, Shamanism

• The View From the Orphanage

  Last night we were honored to be invited by our Abenaki brothers and sisters to drum as part of the opening ceremony at an all city meeting. The event was a  Neighborhood Planning Assemblies meeting called to discuss the proposed development of a large lakefront parcel of land presently owned by a local nonprofit educational…

  Michael Watson PhD

  January 22, 2015

  First Nations, Healing, Shamanism

  development, healing, land, Native American, orphanage, Shamanism

• Teaching “Shamanisms”

  Tomorrow I begin teaching on campus for the first time this year. I’ve enjoyed time off, and am looking forward to teaching. I’m teaching an upper level seminar on shamanism. Last night, as I was thinking about, and planning, the course, the rain came down hard and fast for hours. This morning there is an…

  Michael Watson PhD

  January 19, 2015

  Shamanism, Teaching

  Shamanism, teaching