Soul Loss And Soul Retrieval

Before we can begin to understand the Shamanic practice of "Soul Retrieval", we must first understand the basic premise and symptoms of "Soul Loss". Soul loss is a very real spiritual condition caused by an overwhelming trauma that results in the splintering or fragmentation of our consciousness. This condition results in very real mental and emotional disorders, including the loss of physical vitality and mental and spiritual awareness. Any form of trauma, personal tragedy, serious illness, and intense crisis may shatter off a piece of the soul, leaving the individual with a sense that they are not quite "all there". Soul Loss is not the total loss of an individual's soul. It is not possession. Possession is the presence of an external non-physical entity that assumes control of the consciousness of the body in conjunction with or in displacement of the rightful soul. In Soul Loss, for obvious reasons, exorcisms are ineffective. Rather, the pieces of the shattered consciousness must be carefully recovered and re-integrated into the conscious whole. The outward manifestations of Soul Loss most frequently appear as misaligned attitudes and/or dysfunctional behaviors previously uncommon to the victim, but which now the victim may neither be aware of or capable of overcoming without significant outside intervention. Soul Loss robs the victim of vital life energies, as well as valuable gifts, talents, and abilities that might otherwise serve the individual well in this lifetime. In other words, Soul Loss is literally the fragmenting of your consciousness, systematically stripping away your will, your energy, and the valuable talents and abilities that give life meaning and pleasure, and allow you to cope with life's challenges.

From time to time, in everyone's life, we experience grief, illness, traumatic experiences and overwhelming challenges. Most of us pass through these episodes weather-worn and tired, but basically intact. But suppose for an moment that the situation is so traumatic and intense that you can no longer "consciously" cope with the situation. In a crisis moment, the human consciousness, knowingly or otherwise, activates a self defense mechanism. The consciousness, through the self defense mechanism, must determine the most efficient and "safe" way to resolve the issue. The consciousness must survive. If it is determined that the situation threatens that survival, the consciousness jetisons that aspect away from itself to protect the greater whole. The fragmented piece is then locked or pushed away into some obscure place. In doing so, you have averted what we might commonly refer to as a "mental breakdown" or even worse. Unfortunately, in doing so, the part or aspect of the vital core that is attached to the problem also slips into non-ordinary reality. This is not just some oblivion of no return. At the exact moment of soul loss, the fragmented piece of the vital core slips from the conscious, functioning reality and becomes frozen in time and space within the soul loss event. That obscure place beyond consciousness is non-ordinary reality.

Shamans have always been the psychologists and doctors of the ancient cultures. Today's psychologists work in much the same capacity as the ancient shaman. Both realize how fragile the human psyche can be, and the bizarre effects that can result when overwhelming trauma occurs. Unfortunately, today's psychologists are limited to modern medical thought and practice. This means that most of todays's victims of soul loss are treated through drug intervention and psycho-therapy. These methods may treat the mental and physical aspects of the problem, but never reach the real damage. The Shaman's knowledge of the human psyche and behavior were cultivated throughout a lifetime of observation and study. Coupled with his/her understanding of non-ordinary reality, the Shaman was in a unique position to understand both the physical and non-physical aspects of his/her patient's condition. Combining the two, the shaman can reach the heart of the distress and effectively treat the whole condition.

When "Soul Loss" is diagnosed, the shaman undertakes a journey into non-ordinary reality to find the missing soul fragment. Once located, the shaman carefully negotiates its return, and with infinite, painstakingly care, brings it back and reintegrates the fragment into the conscious whole. In the shamanic perspective, ordinary reality and non-ordinary reality are inter-connected through the web of power. Nothing exists which is isolated from the greater whole. Therefore, The shaman, with the help of his/her guides and allies, will commence his/her search within this web. Because of the tortured nature of the fragmented soul, the shaman knows very specifically where within the web the soul fragment will most likely be found. Having located the fragmented soul, the shaman must ascertain the condition of the fragment. The shaman looks at the severity of the trauma, the probability of successful integration if the fragment is returned, and whether the fragment is willing to be returned. Remember, this soul fragment is still a conscious, self-aware aspect of the original host. It may feel much more secure isolated from the whole of the consciousness that ejected it. In any case, it may not desire re-integration. If the shaman finds this circumstance, he/she must make some very difficult decisions. If the shaman feels that the client would be best served by the re-integration of this fragment, then delicate negotiations begin. The shaman must persuade the fragment to return. No soul fragment may be "trapped" or "captured". An ethical shaman will never force a soul retrieval. To get the soul fragment safely back to the reintroduction point, a special crystal called a "soul catcher" is frequently used as an electro-magnetic containment field that can be used to "transport" the soul fragment. The "soul catcher" is never used as a trap, but rather as a "carrying case" or "waiting room" for the soul part to travel from the OtherWorld to this plane. If there are several fragments of the soul gone, the shaman may bring back more than one piece on a journey. However, to try to return every single fragment may be more than the patient can take at one time. Re-integration can be a very emotional experience, often associated with a period of mental and emotional re-orientation after the soul fragment has been returned. To avoid causing unneccessay trauma throughout the process, soul retrieval usually takes more than one session.

During the journey, the shaman must find and communicate with the missing soul fragment. During this time, the shaman can frequently uncover the circumstances surrounding the departure. In many case, the client may not even be aware of the original reasons, particularly if the client has mentally blocked out that portion of his/her life. This is especially true if the soul loss came as a result of trauma, such as sexual, physical, or mental abuse. Due to the particularly sensitive nature of some circumstances, and the trauma involved, the shaman will not offer this information or even hint at it unless the patient makes it very clear that he/she is aware of the past events that precipitated this particular soul loss.

The client must realize that once a re-integration of soul parts takes place and integration is complete, the client is very likely to adapt new attitudes and behavior patterns more consistent with a "healthy" self image and whole psyche. A change will have taken place spiritually. The client must be prepared to allow a period of time for adjustment to a new way of perceiving the Self. Sensitivity may become heightened, the perception of reality may be expanded, the client may suddenly feel empowered, refusing to allow others the control they exercised over the client before.

REASONS FOR SOUL RETRIEVAL

How does the shaman know when a soul retrieval is needed? The following list represents some of the most obvious signs that a shaman looks for in determining whether an individual has actually experienced a soul loss. Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer "yes" to a question, try to determine how the effects manifest in your life.

1)Do you ever have a difficult time staying "present" in your body? Do you ever feel alienated, detached or disconnected from your body?

2)Do you ever feel numb, apathetic, or deadened?

3)Do you suffer from chronic depression?

4)Do you have problems with your immune system and have difficulty resisting illness?

5)Were you chronically ill as a child?

6)Do you have gaps in the memory of your life after the age of five? Do you sense that you have "blacked out" significant time periods in your life?

7)Do you struggle with addictions to, for example, alcohol, food, drugs, sex, or gambling?

8)Do you find yourself desperately looking to external "things" to fill up an internal void or emptiness?

9)Do you have difficulty moving on with your life after a divorce or loss of a loved one?

10)Do you suffer from multiple personality disorder?

11)Do you find it difficult to spend quiet time alone without external distraction around you?

12)Are there "normal" places or activities that you deliberately avoid because of a vague phobia?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, or a number of the questions, you may be dealing with soul loss.
If you believe that you have experienced a soul loss, you may also think that you know the exact time and cause of the soul split. You may be very surprised to find that it is often the situation you least expect that did the greatest damage, leaving closure to that situation impossible.

The primitive shamanic cultures understand that soul loss is common. Having a soul retrieval is not unusual in those communities. Most people do not consider it unusual to visit
a doctor when a medical condition warrants such attention.
In fact, we normally spare no expense finding a specialist in our diagnosed condition. The shaman is the specialist in spiritual, mental and emotional disruption of human lives by reason of soul loss.