“Sacred Balinese Healing Practices Meet Globalization” on July 26 “Why Shamanism Now?” Radio Show

Portland, OR, July 26, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network (www.co-creatornetwork.com) on Tuesday, July 26, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now?: A Practical Path to Authenticity,” shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt welcomes filmmaker Dan McGuire who produced “Balian” – which tells the story of the rise and fall of a charismatic Balinese shaman (or “Balian”) named Mangku Pogog. According to McGuire, in Bali healers enter powerful trance states in which they embody their spirit help, often drawing the patient into trance as well. Mangku Pogog engaged in full embodiment trance states curing conditions like blindness and leprosy by guiding the power of spirit through yoga postures, large stones, heavy sticks, and sucking extractions.

In this episode of “Why Shamanism Now?” titled “Sacred Balinese Healing Practices Meet Globalization,” McGuire and Pratt explore the world-view of Balinese healers and their attitudes towards sickness, health, and the healing power of transformative ritual. Through the story of Mangku Pogog, McGuire illustrates the effect of globalization on the belief systems of traditional people and poses the questions: What new challenges are presented to traditional healers as people come for healing with different worldviews and diverse beliefs about healing? Will traditional wisdom survive or be changed by “spiritual tourism?” McGuire, a journalist with many years experience in Indonesia, immersed himself in the world of the Balian, the Balinese traditional healer/shaman in 1996 and is currently completing his documentary “Balian.”

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.

Daniel McGuire is a journalist with many years experience in Indonesia. He first went in 1984 to study the Javanese Shadow Puppet Theater, and has written a book and Master’s thesis on the subject. He speaks Indonesian and Javanese. He’s also practiced Ashtanga yoga for 20 years, and studied in India with Sri Pattabhi Jois. Beginning in 1996, he immersed himself in the world of Balian – the Balinese traditional healer/shaman and is completing a documentary on the subject. McGuire got his start in documentary as an editor on the Academy Award-winning feature documentary "The Panama Deception." He won a Soros-Sundance grant for "Crash Course,” a documentary on the 1998 upheaval in Indonesia. He has worked as a Foreign Correspondent for ABC News and as a Producer/Cameraman for New York Times Television, the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, PBS, ABC News, and as Boston field producer for Al Jazeera and “Good Morning America.” http://balihealer.com

"Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity," a live internet talk radio with host Christina Pratt, airs Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time on http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm. Each week host Christina Pratt and guests explore the practical application of shamanic skills in our contemporary lives to create robust well-being, strong and clear community connections, and life enriching spiritual maturity. Listeners can ask questions by calling 512-772-1938 or via Skype. Prior episodes from "Why Shamanism Now" can be downloaded for free from the iTunes library (www.iTunes.com). Pratt also talks about Shamanic Healing on YouTube (www.youtube.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. Upcoming classes with Pratt include “Finding the Gift in Life Challenges” on August 19-20; Shamanic Journey Circles the third Tuesday of every month; Wisdom of the Shaman talks every third Friday; and Qigong classes every Wednesday, all in Portland, Oregon. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, lwoz@frontiernet.net.

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