Category: Teaching

• Teaching Across Borders

  This morning I have been considering the challenges of teaching. Now, as I look out my window I can see that most of the snow is gone from our front yard. Hopefully this means early spring flowers will soon appear on our south-facing neighbors’ lawns. Given our house is north facing, our flowers usually appear…

  Michael Watson PhD

  March 25, 2015

  Arts, First Nations, Teaching

  borders, Native American, stories, teaching

• Truth Telling

  It’s after four and afternoon light is flooding our office. There is just the hint of sunset in the western sky, even as the shadows are lengthening over deep snowpack. The outside temperature has warmed to a balmy 27 degrees.  The warmth is soothing, if transitory.

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 26, 2015

  First Nations, Stories, Teaching

  Ariel Smith, healing, Native American, trauma

• Ancestors In Conflict

  The other day I found myself in renewed conversation with a few Native friends, discussing the presence of the Ancestors in our everyday lives. There was shared agreement that the Ancestors are often close at hand, offering perspective and advice, although the frequency and immediacy of contact was wildly variable amongst those present. All of…

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 23, 2015

  First Nations, Nature, Shamanism, Teaching

  ancestors, conflict, psychotherapy, Shamanism, trauma

• Two Cultures

  Last night my good friend, Susan Grimaldi, came to my class, bringing stories from her life as a Choctaw shaman, and new ethnographic video from her work in Mongolia. Lucky students were able to engage in conversation with a highly respected shaman who has, over the past twenty years, conducted groundbreaking work with remote shamans…

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 18, 2015

  First Nations, Shamanism, Teaching

  Indigenous, Native American, Shamanism, world view