Received this account of SHUK. The group referred to is at
https://www.spirithorse.co.uk/Bolding is mine.
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I’m writing to give you feedback on a recent experience at a place called Spirit Horse...
Although
they have a sweat lodge that wasn’t available at the time I figured this may be a good idea to share with you.
If it’s not appropriate, then please direct me to some other body that oversees such activities.
This is the feedback I sent:
Dear Shivram,
Firstly I’d like to share my feedback in writing with you so you have a copy of for reference.
I’ve been thinking long and hard about what to say to you. I don’t want this to be sent or received in the heat of hurt anger and upset, but I need to communicate with you in honesty about my experience on the retreat.
If I pay to go on retreat I have certain expectations that I would hope be met.
Firstly that I would be respected and
not have to tolerate others ‘wanting to see tits’ as Anthony mentioned within about 5 mins of our car journey. If that is the energy Spirit Horse attracts then this needs to be made clearer on the website.
I also don’t expect to be propositioned with ‘can you give us ideas for 100k and make 30%’. I felt pressured and confused that this should be presented as part of my role in attending the retreat.
The use of LSD without me knowing this was happening is a major safety consideration. I wasn’t consulted and as it was winter with small numbers and not many other places to hang out, this felt not ok on any level.
I really didn’t come on retreat
to have your intimate relationship quite so in my face. A respect for others clearly went by the by.
When I tried to tackle you about an apology I was shut down with ‘that was last night’. Hardly an open discussion where each takes responsibility for their part in the proceedings.
I got the message loud and clear that if I didn’t do things your way, then what was I even doing there? I shouldn’t be reading a book I brought - only the text you provide. One minute I’m encouraged to go out in nature in silence, the next I’m ‘escaping’ being with you all by climbing the mountain.
Finally, you had zero idea I was even coming. This was not a good opening impression but I was willing to go with that. We had to wake you up on the last day to say goodbye …
In all honesty - across all of these varied experiences - I was left feeling unvalued, un-respected and violated. I am greatly concerned that that much damage could be done without you even realising, particularly to those who are more impressionable and perhaps vulnerable.
Perhaps with more people and Erika to balance out the energy things would be different. Sadly this wasn’t the case.
I really feel very strongly that many things about the retreat were chaotic and unprofessional. I appreciate this is your valley and your rules reign, however this needs to be made clear in the information on your website.
I would appreciate an apology, and I would be grateful for a full refund. My payment otherwise condones behaviour that felt so at odds with my own personal and spiritual practice and development.
Separately from this I paid
£500 pounds for this retreat, £80 in deposit and £420 to you in cash.
You now say the cost was £400, and on your website it says £300.
I suggest an apology that is still outstanding and a refund of the £100.
I appreciate loosing the deposit to cover costs.
I hope you are able to reply as this is sent, with an open heart standing in love
Lucia
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Yes they really say these things about themselves. Egos the size of mountains.
https://www.spirithorse.co.uk/who-is-spirit-horseShivam O'Brien
Founder Community Chieftain & Workshop Leader
Storyteller, carpenter, ritual poet, ceremonialist, Enlightenment Intensive master, tribal leader, writer, pilgrim and lover of the woods and the wild.
Shivam exemplifies the Celtic tradition, and brings a reverence for indigenous and spiritual traditions from anywhere that might loan us enough time honoured wisdom to become real people again....
Shivam has worked with men and women and children in community and retreat for over twenty five years. He brings together wisdom gleaned from shamanic rooted culture and Indian and Buddhist sources....
Erika Brilliana
Co-founder & Women's Circle Holder, Feminine Presence of Spirit Horse
Thanks to Erika's bountiful nurturance, the generous guidance of wise wild feminine belly, and the effortless power of her medicine woman way's, the original vision was able to take root. Holding the feminine presence in the valley, the birth of the village could have not happened without her. Today, Erika is a driving force behind the scenes, and is courageously and gracefully returning this year to her ceremonial seat for Sacred Man Sacred Woman....
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Full Price: $320
Includes accommodation, all meals, and one private healing session with Kurikindi.
Kurikindi will give teachings, private healing sessions and medicine healing.
Kurikindi is a shaman from the Kichwa people who live deep in the Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador. He was born into a traditional shamanic family drawing on many generations of wisdom and knowledge. He has travelled extensively in South America to gain deeper understanding from other indigenous traditions....
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This pilgrimage prayerfully and wildly ventures into the soul memory. It is for understanding the bones of living culture beyond the poverty of the White Man’s world....
You will encounter, the smell and feel of an ancestral dreamtime, the storied, sophisticated, courteous, ritualistic world that is the bedrock of all pagan, earth loving culture.
On an Enlightenment Intensive, you will face your illusions about yourself and in so raw and real a fashion as to awaken a bliss beyond the body mind identification....
If you undertake this initiation to completion you will never be the same again. As it says in the Mahabharata: (also part of the course) “if you listen to my story; you’ll be somebody else at the end.”
you’ll go deeply into:
Ancient Traditions of Story.
Natural Culture: its roots and bones and blessing.
Breath: how to move beyond thought/control into feeling/knowing/being
Ritual: on a level you won’t find anywhere else in the White Man’s world.
Speech: which gives life to the earth, the people and the spirit.
Self enquiry/Self realisation: (how far you go is up to you)
Pilgrimage: the re-enchantment of the land - and happy wandering!
Celtic mystery: and a good few other old traditions too.
An exploration, celebration and even consecration of your sexual spiritual self.
Vigil and vision quest/night of power....
This course is also an initiation and introduction into the tribal world of Spirit Horse....
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By my count, that makes this group a mangling of Native, Hindu, "Celtic", Tantric, and Nuage. Amusing they keep saying White Man as though they are not themselves.
