"Initiation and Why We Need It Desperately" on the May 6 Edition of Why Shamanism Now? Radio Show on Voice America

Portland, OR, May 05, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Streaming live on the Voice America Network (www.voiceamerica.com) on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Pacific time/5 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now?", founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, Christina Pratt, says that initiation is the thing we most need from shamanism and is the thing we are least willing to receive. According to Pratt, much has been written about initiation in psychology, shamanism, and the writings from men’s and women’s groups, but most of it misses the point.

In this episode of "Why Shamanism Now? – Initiation and Why We Need it Desperately”, Pratt says that initiation isn’t a form or an ancient ritual; initiation is a function. It’s a transformation that requires context, fear, and surrender to be present in large amounts. Initiation can happen spontaneously or within a traditional practice. However it rarely happens on purpose. It is required to move a human from child to adult or an adult onto a path of mastery. Pratt explores why life certainly teaches us, but rarely initiates (if the school of hard knocks could do that, the planet would be over run with wise, compassionate elders, passionate, joyful adults and children who are safe and free to truly be children) and discusses what we need to create and overcome to reintroduce initiation into contemporary American culture.

Christina Pratt is an authentic, non-traditional contemporary shaman. In practice since 1990, she specializes in mending the soul and transforming the parts of life that feel impossible. A teacher of exceptional clarity, humor, and inspiration, Pratt brings the power of shamanism into the practical grasp of anyone willing to take responsibility for improving the quality of their life. Her well-received book, An Encyclopedia of Shamanism (Rosen), is an 800 page, two-volume set with over 750 in-depth entries that clearly discuss the basic concepts of shamanism, methods, and traditions of over 50 different shamanic peoples. Pratt is the founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing in Portland, OR, and New York, NY, creator of the original Foundations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing course at the University of Minnesota, and a frequent and honored speaker for the American Holistic Medical Association.

"Why Shamanism Now?", a live internet talk radio with host Christina Pratt, airs every Wednesday afternoon at 2-3:00 pm Pacific time/ 5 – 6 p.m. Eastern time on http://www.modavox.com/7thwavenetwork/. Prior episodes from "Why Shamanism Now" can be downloaded for free from the iTunes library (www.iTunes.com).

For more information on Christina Pratt, the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, and workshops and classes with Pratt, or to order An Encyclopedia of Shamanism at a special discounted rate, visit www.lastmaskcenter.org. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, lwoz@frontiernet.net.

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