Shirley Blancke is an archaeologist and anthropologist, who has worked with Native Americans in Massachusetts, learned traditional sacred dance from Hawaiian kahunas, and hosted ceremonies for an Oglala Lakota medicine man. She studied shamanic traditions with Hank Wesselman for 10 years and has worked with Ecuadorian yachak don Alberto Taxo for seven years. She lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

Foreword by Hank Wesselman

Acknowledgments

Introduction: My Trail Winds to Shamanism
PART 1
Upbringing

1 A Walk in Quito

2 Grandparent Wisdom

3 The Power of Water

4 Initiation

5 An Encounter with Francis

6 The Formation of a Public Yachak

7 A Colombian Yachak

8 Contrary Winds and the Value of Spirituality

PART 2
Teachings

9 The Eagle and Condor Dream

10 Sumak Kausay, “Abundant Life”

11 Building Habits of Connection

12 A Yachak Apprentices’ Retreat

13 Learning Plant Healing

14 Resolving Conflict: The Nature of Good and Evil

15 Medicine Wheel of the Four Winds: Life Lessons Drawn from Nature

16 The Chakana and the Staff of Gold

PART 3
Reflections

17 Beginnings Stateside by Susan Cooper

18 Connecting with Awareness by Martha Travers

19 Furthering Dream Change by John Perkins

20 The Teaching of Yachak Tayta don Alberto Taxo by Itzhak Beery

21 Initial Impressions by Christiane Gottwald, Jeanne Dooley, and Susan Martin

22 Connecting with Springs by Shari Parslow

23 Connecting with Animals by Julie Bloomer

24 A Journey with don Alberto by Shirley Blancke

25 Becoming a Yachak by Lucas K.

26 Every Moment Is Sacred and Full of Possibility by Caty Laignel

Epilogue: A Christmas Story

Notes

Bibliography

Index