Fire ceremony ~ Men only!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Mara

Had a milestone shamanic journeying class on Friday. The first all male group! What a great bunch of guys.

We had an even male/female split for the weekend on Creation & Transformation. Nothing like a fire ceremony to shift our energy and raise the vibration of the space! Thanks to everyone.

Stay tuned for more information about the Inner Divinity Weekend coming in July! Read more about the book and CD. See the WholeSpirit events page for more information about Drumming circles and classes.

Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara

Email me if you have questions.

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Visions

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Mara

Preparing for Evolving Shamanism: Creation & Transformation this weekend. What is your vision? Perhaps some new things to draw in and some old things to release? Much to think about today, as individuals and a society. www.WholeSpirit.com

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Core Shamanic Drumming Circle!

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Mara

Shamanic Drumming Circle

I am happy to announce the beginning of a new core shamanic drumming circle! The last circle I co-founded has been meeting for over ten years. It’s provided the opportunity for a spiritual community to gather and support each other in our exploration of shamanism. It’s changed and evolved over the years. I look forward to creating this new group with you!

The first circle will be on May 21st from 7:00 – 9:00. Our focus will be on journeying and creating sacred space as a group. There will be time each gathering for drumming. We will have a balance between journeying on group topics and personal questions.

Core shamanic journeying is required for these gatherings.

Please contact me if you would like to learn to journey. A Shamanic Journeying Intensive is available in the evening on Friday, May 11.

Please visit the WholeSpirit.com Events page for more information and registration information for the circle and classes.

Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reading Signs and Omens

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Mara

I’ve had several interesting encounters with the natural world recently that I’m pondering and working to decipher on the spiritual level. Paying attention to our environment offers such a rich field of information. When we ask for guidance, and then open our senses to receive it, we engage consciously, and can often receive insight about challenging issues in our lives. Sometimes we’re surprised by synchronicities or things that seem implausible or unlikely enough to grab our attention. It was timely for me to come upon this article by Sandra Ingerman about reading omens and thought I’d pass it on to you.

Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara

Posted in Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Beginnings?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Mara

An interesting thing happened to me this week. I was entering an appointment into my calendar on my “smart” phone. The program froze. I closed the program and turned the phone off, thinking a refresh of the system would reset the calendar program and get me back on track to make my appointment. The refresh I got was not what I’d anticipated.

Instead of opening to March 2012, my calendar opened to 1. Not 2001, 1991, or even 1891, but 1! Year 1.

I had no events recorded on that day. It was refreshing, but also horrifying as it appeared that my very full schedule had vanished. It did give me a new perspective on the day, on the passing of time, and on the idea of evolution. What causes us to “reset” personally and globally? Each day gives us the possibility for a reset in many ways, doesn’t it?

Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara

Posted in Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , | Leave a comment

OMNIA VINCIT AMOR – Love Conquers All…well at least it makes our brains bigger!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Mara

As I was preparing for my Accessing Intuition class today I came across this article about how a mother’s love affects a child’s brain development. We hear a lot about the transformative power of love. Not often do we see it documented so clearly. In this study in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers observed mothers helping their children deal with moderately stressful tasks intended to mimic the stresses of parenting in daily life.

When tested several years later, the children of mothers who displayed more nurturing behavior ultimately had larger hippocampi. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for memory and spatial function among other things. Having a smaller hippocampus can put one at risk for Alzheimers, some mental disorders, and creates a higher vulnerability to stress.

It’s common sense that a loving parent can help a child feel safe and healthy in the world. Studies have shown that the experience of romantic love and long term partnerships have a variety of health benefits, such as decreased blood pressure, stress, and a longer life span. I hope a precedent has been set and we’ll see more studies that explore the effects of different kinds of love on health and healing. In the meanwhile, we can experiment ourselves!

We can show more nurturing and love to ourselves, to our family and friends, to our clients and coworkers, our gardens, our waters, our Earth and see what happens. It’s not just the hippocampus that’s affected by love. Each time we choose to be loving (kind, compassionate, patient and other variants of the vibration of love) we affect our own bodies (both physical and energetic), those around us, and the space we are in. 

Wishing you a peaceful heart and some extra love today,

Mara 

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Evolving Shamanism ~ Creation & Transformation ~ May 12 & 13, 2012

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Mara

Evolving Shamanism: Creation & Transformation
Date: Saturday and Sunday, May 12 & 13
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: WholeSpirit Center, Durham NC

Have you ever wondered how to tap your own ability to create more effectively? Wished you could put some power behind your visions of your future? In this gathering we will explore creation and transformation. 

I use the word “creativity” both in the classic sense of creating with words, color and sound, but especially in creating what you envision for yourself and your life. We’ll work with crafting your goals, dreams and visions and ways to bring them into reality.

The “transformation” piece focuses on internal and external evolution – change, progress, transmuting what doesn’t serve us into something that does. Shamanism is an ancient system that guides us in relating to the world. It has evolved as its practitioners and the world have changed. We can use these traditional methods to help us evolve, transforming who we are as individuals, and how we live in relationship to others. We’ll explore how we can work with the process of transformation intentionally to help let go of what isn’t working in our lives and to welcome in what we need to thrive.

Evolving Shamanism is a series of classes based on core shamanic journeying. Core shamanic journeying experience is required for this class. If you are interested in the class and do not have experience yet, let me know asap and we can discuss some options for learning journeying before the class. Additional workshops will follow, including topics such as shamanic healing and working with nature among others.

Cost: $250 ($225 if registered before April 1st)

To register for the class, please:

  1. Make a payment via PayPal, credit or debit card or send a check made out to Mara Bishop to PO Box 51553, Durham NC 27717.
  2. Complete the WholeSpirit class registration form. Download the form here.
  3. Once your registration form is complete, mail to the address above or email it to Mara.

Email Mara if you have questions.

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Health Benefits from Drumming Circles documented

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Mara

Shamanic communities have experienced the benefits of drumming together for thousands of years. Researchers have now documented that the benefits of participating in drumming groups extends widely from our bodies, to our mental states, to our relationships with others. Participants in studies reacted with an increase in cells related to the immune system, and had a decrease in chronic pain. Other groups experienced a decrease in anxiety and an increase in self-esteem and relaxation. Parkinson’s patients had increased motor skills after listening to the rhythmic repetition of a steady drum beat, and Alzheimer’s patients are able to connect better to loved ones after drumming. For more information about the health benefits of drumming read this article by Kimberly Ann Holle.

“Sonic driving” is the term for using repetitive percussion sound to shift one’s state of consciousness. It is one of the common elements used throughout shamanic cultures. In recent times, scientific studies have confirmed what indigenous cultures have learned through experience. A repetitive beat at a certain range of speeds can facilitate a shift in our brain wave patterns. Shamanic practitioners often use sonic driving when they work with clients, both as an aide in perceiving the spiritual causes of illness or imbalance and also for the direct benefits that drumming can provide to the clients.

For more information about shamanic healing sessions, classes in shamanic journeying or drumming circles, visit WholeSpirit.com or contact me via e-mail.

Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara

 

Posted in Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Workshop – Accessing Intuition – March 17-18, 2012

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Mara

Accessing Intuition
Date: Saturday and Sunday, March 17 & 18
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: WholeSpirit Center, Durham NC

Did you ever “know” something that you couldn’t have known rationally? Are you curious about how this gut instinct can help you stay balanced and make good choices? Intuition is an innate sense, a way of knowing that can be developed and strengthened. It can help you in every aspect of your life.

This class will outline how intuition works and show you different techniques to access your own intuition. You’ll learn (or refine) some basic meditation skills and take part in experiential exercises to sharpen your perceptions. You’ll get practice in finding things out intuitively about yourself and others while observing intuitive ethics. You’ll also learn ways to stay balanced as your intuition develops. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and share experiences. 

Cost: $250 ($225 if registered before February 15th)

To register for the class, please:

  1. Make a payment via PayPal, credit or debit card or send a check made out to Mara Bishop to PO Box 51553, Durham NC 27717.
  2. Complete the WholeSpirit class registration form. Download the form here.
  3. Once your registration form is complete, mail to the address above or email it to me.

Email Mara if you have questions.

Posted in Classes and Events, Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peace and Play

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Mara

During this special and often hectic time of year, I hope you find time for the things that bring joy and meaning into your life. Whether it’s quiet time with family, the glitter of festivities, time to unwind by yourself, giving to those less fortunate, a chance to play like a kid again, or maybe a little of each, please remember to nurture yourself a little too.

Wishing you peaceful and playful holidays,

Mara

www. WholeSpirit.com
Email Mara

Posted in Thoughts and Insights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment