If one were to ask me how long I have been practicing shamanism my immediate answer would be close to 25 years. Truthfully however, I would say that I have been walking with spirits my entire life. My early childhood experiences left me with the impression that the world was very fluid. My world has always been a balance, and at times not so much a balance between the tangible and the intangible. I don’t really remember a time before I knew there were voices, or felt sensations or saw things my family members did not see. My perception of reality did not really aid me in my attempts to fit into what we generally refer to as normal society. I can honestly say at times I have truly envied the sceptic. How wonderful it would be to have the luxury to… question. However the luxury of scepticism has never been afforded me for I cannot unsee what I have seen, I cannot unfeel what I have felt. In other words; in the terms of the shamans, the veil between this world and the spirit world is as thin as a maple leaf. I fortunately, and unfortunately have always perceived that very thin veil.

Enter drumming circles – I was first introduced to a shamanic drumming circle in 1992. At that time I did not have a full understanding of the word shaman, let alone the concepts of core shamanism. I received a brief; and I mean brief, description of the shamanic journey just before the drumming began. I had no idea what to expect. What happened during my first 15 minute drum journey while laying on the basement floor of the Stan Daniels centre in Edmonton, Canada changed my life. I felt as though I had come home, I had no idea I was not home, but I certainly knew I was home after that experience. If I had known then what I know now, would I have laid on that floor, I don’t honestly know, but it is too late now.

Thank you for joining me on this site and I look forward to learning and sharing with you,

Kriket