Shamanic practices are grounded in the awareness that everything is alive and interconnected.  In indigenous cultures, a tribe’s Shaman entered non-ordinary states of consciousness and traveled to other spiritual realms with the help of spirit allies, for the purpose of healing others. 

This is high level magic- certainly not something someone would learn in a short period of study!  But every human is capable of gaining the balance and connection that makes personal healing possible.  The foundation for it is a deep connection to oneself, Grandmother Earth, and Spirit.  This is the goal of our contemporary shamanism: to heal the self by connecting with life and spirit in all its forms.  Personal balance and connection then make it possible for us to be of use to others.

Our shamanic practices are rooted in the Sweet Medicine SunDance path, an ancient tradition of sacred knowledge that addresses our place in the Universe and human evolution inside the Grand Design.  Like the mystery schools of Tibetan, Celtic, and other traditions, the Sweet Medicine path has evolved over thousands of years.  In the 1980s the elder Thunder Strikes translated the teachings and ceremonies for modern times, and began sharing them with all interested seekers.  There are now groups around the world that practice and share this knowledge, including our Great Lakes Shamanic Community in Michigan.