So the other day I met up with some friends who I had known in college a few years ago, and hadn't seen since that period of time. They told me that the psychology department of the school has been increasingly geared towards psychedelic studies, and that one of their faculty members teaches courses in shamanism. These friends told me that this faculty member had gone so far as to encourage students to travel to Peru to take ayahuasca. This is of course hear-say.
I emailed the psychology department of the school and asked about their program in psychedelic studies, shamanism, etc...and after some push-back I was able to get contact information for Michael Watson, the alleged faculty member I was told about by my friends.
I searched for Michael Watson and it turns out he has his own private practice in which he offers services such as psychotherapy, reiki (I believe reiki is offered by his wife), and shamanic healing. I emailed Michael, asking him to explain what is entailed by "shamanic healing" and I explained what I had heard about his promotion of ayahuasca tourism. I asked if he was familiar with UMIYAC or the UN's policy regarding Indigenous intellectual/spiritual property. He explained to me that he does not use ayahuasca, but that he did learn from Amazonian teachers and he is occasionally consulted to help someone who's had a bad experience in the jungle. He stated that he has worked to defend the great forest for forty years, and that he is actually Indigenous. He did not respond to my questions regarding UMIYAC and other Indigenous resistance or the UN. As a note, I do not think he has actively encouraged people to travel to Peru to take ayahuasca and that my friends were making a broad generalization.
This is as comfortable as I feel questioning him and his practices, as I am not Indigenous and don't feel that I have a right to question other peoples claims to Indigenous heritage.
Here is his website: http://journeyworksvt.com/His about me page:I am a shamanic healer, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and educator of Native American and European ancestry, a survivor of Polio, and a visual and performing artist.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn from shamans and other healers from diverse cultures of the Americas and Eurasia. I am deeply grateful for their teaching and support, and count myself fortunate that several of my teachers have become treasured friends and colleagues.
I have been in private practice as a psychotherapist in Vermont since 1980.
As a psychotherapist, I am trained in Jungian, transpersonal, and family therapy models of counseling. More recently I have been drawn to the Narrative therapies, which are focused, like many Indigenous healing systems, on the transformative power of stories. I am deeply indebted to the late Australian Narrative therapist, Michael White, for his generosity of spirit and knowledge, encouragement, and deep appreciation of Indigenous ways of being.
Since 1979, I have taught at Burlington College, where I served as Dean of Students for several years.
With my wife and colleague, Jennie Kristel, I offer short-term groups, workshops, and trainings, as well as seasonal ceremonies.
You may learn more about my work by visiting my blog.
EDUCATION: B.F.A. in Studio Art with a focus on printmaking
Wright State University
M.A. in Studio with a focus on sculpture
New Mexico Highlands University
M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling
Goddard College
External degree Ph.D. in Psychology and Environmental Studies
Columbia Pacific University
His page about shamanic healing:Shamanic Healing is the art of working with Spirit on behalf of those who suffer.
My work draws from the wisdom traditions of my teachers from the Americas and Asia, integrating visionary healing, shamanic counseling, ceremony, and curanderismo.
Shamanic healings are available by appointment. Sessions may be scheduled for my office, or for distance healing via telephone or Skype.
My shamanic healing work focuses on:
Physical and Emotional Trauma
Chronic Illness
Creativity
Family Issues
Grief
Spiritual Crises
Work with Spirits
Shamanic Healings may include:
Shamanic Counseling: Conversation from a place of vision
Extraction Healing: Removing the spiritual sources of dis-ease
Energy/Body Work: Calling forth the body, mind, and spirit's capacity for healing
Soul Retrieval: Repairing Self following illness, fright, or trauma
Ancestor and Spirit Work: Relieving the suffering of spirits
Ceremony: Utilizing ritual and ceremony for healing
I teach courses and workshops in the United States and Asia in:
The fundamentals of shamanic healing
Shamanic healing tools for health care professionals
Integrating shamanism, narrative therapies, and the arts
His page on what to expect during shamanic healing:We will begin our work together by discussing the challenges you face. Usually I will drum to look into your life situation, and to request the aid of the Ancestors and helping spirits. We will then speak together from a place of vision, and consider how best to address the obstacles that confront you. I may recommend shamanic energy work, ritual, or ceremony. Most often, a combination of these tools is needed to restore balance and a sense of health and wellbeing.Shamanic healing sessions usually last about 90 minutes. There may be times when a longer meeting, or a ceremony, in a natural setting would be helpful. We can discuss this as the need arises. Shamanic work is usually brief, consisting of one to three sessions. Infrequently, more intensive work is needed or desired.
Many people find it helpful to bring one or more trusted support persons to shamanic healings, as their participation can strengthen and hasten the healing process.
His blog can be found here: https://michaelwatsonvt.wordpress.com/On his blog's about me page, in regards to Native heritage: Traditionally, when asked about being a shaman one responded, ” My teachers, and my teachers’ teachers, were shamans.” In 2002, my teachers told me I must become more visible, and teach. That was not a simple directive to fulfill. I have always been taught that one never calls oneself a shaman or medicine person; only the elders and teachers, and the people one aids, can speak to who is, or is not, a shaman. Growing up I was taught one does not let others know one is Native. Yet, the world has changed much, and I do not live in traditional culture. My teachers believe it is now important for visionary healers to stand true and straight, to acknowledge our training, and to respectfully share the teachings and practices we know with others. I do my best to do so in my work and in this blog.
I am of blended heritage, my genealogy being confounding at best. Our family passed as European for at least two generations. My father’s father was a Native American from the Black Hills (most probably Lakota). His mother was a Native American from Indiana, we believe Shawnee. Periodically someone on that side of the family “discovers” our grandmother’s actual tribal affiliation, but those discoveries tend to dissipate into more unknowing. There are many genealogical stone walls, as fits a family in hiding. My mother’s family identified as hailing from the British Isles, although there were rumors of recent Cherokee ancestry as well. (My father said our family is Native on both sides.) They were from Texas, and very aware of the racism Natives face in that state. Anyway, we don’t have tribal affiliation. Identity politics are strong in this country, and being Mixed Blood teaches one much about living in between easily defined categories. It also teaches much about the long term impacts of forced assimilation.
As seems right, my work draws from both First Nations and contemporary Western traditions, and reflects my connection to the forces and processes of Nature. Always my work supports others in developing intimate, transformative relationships with both Self, and the natural world.
