Shamanism in Times of Death and Rebirth:
An Introduction to Shamanic Journeying
& Sacred Circle Ways
An immersive retreat in beautiful Mancos, Colorado,
October 23-25, 2026
Facilitated by Kris Abrams
Discover the power of receiving direct spiritual guidance and living in reverence and sacred reciprocity with the living Earth
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - REGISTER BY JUNE 30, RECEIVE 10% OFF
Every day, we see our systems are collapsing around us, and the most vulnerable among suffer unspeakable harm. This can fill us with fear, grief, anger, and a sense that the ground is being torn from beneath us even as we walk. Many of us long for something vastly different, a new (old) world rooted in sacred reciprocity with each other and the living Earth.
What if you could find your ground in these times, not in the constancy of systems that have long failed us, but in spiritual practices that empower you to receive guidance directly from Spirit? What if you could experience the radical worthiness of all beings and your belonging to the sacred circle of life, and make choices rooted in that knowing?
What if you can help birth the new (old) world?
In this retreat, you will:
Learn and practice the ancient art of shamanic journeying.
Experience the Sacred Circle: the great, interconnected web of life and your unconditional belonging within it;
Journey on the most important questions of our times: What might the new (old) world — a world in which our communities embody reverence and care for all life — look like? How can we birth it? And what is your unique role to play?
What is Shamanic Journeying?
Shamanic journeying is one of humanity's oldest spiritual practices, present on every continent where indigenous peoples have lived, from Asia to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Australia. It is a practice of direct revelation: a way of receiving guidance, healing, and wisdom directly from Helping Spirits and the spirits of Nature, with no authority, no intermediary, and no doctrine standing between you and your own knowing. Because we were all indigenous at some point, this practice belongs to everyone.
You can think of shamanic journeying as akin to prayer — but, in contrast to my experiences with prayer as a child — you actually receive a response, in the form of visions, guidance, support and healing.
In order to receive these responses, a shamanic journeyer enters a state of consciousness where the analytical mind takes a back seat. In some lineages, plant medicines such as ayahuasca are used; in my lineage, we do this with a steady, monotonous drumbeat. I have found that the drumbeat method improves focus and makes direct revelation more immediately accessible in daily life.
What are Sacred Circle Ways?
Sacred Circle Ways are the words my Helping Spirits gave me to describe the practices and lifeways of living in reverence and sacred reciprocity with the living Earth. While shamanic journeying takes us inward to receive guidance, Sacred Circle Ways remind us to bring that guidance back into right relationship with the living world.
In shamanic cultures, these two halves were never separate. However, in the way shamanism has been brought back to the modern West, the second half has largely gotten lost. Many Western practitioners of shamanism focus almost solely on shamanic journeying, at the expense of right relationship with the Earth.
When we live in sacred reciprocity with the Earth, we stop asking what we can extract for ourselves and start asking what we can offer. Together, we will practice gratitude and making offerings, connecting with the spirits of the Land, and ceremony and ritual. And we will take an honest look at changes we need to make in our daily lives to come into sacred reciprocity.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is ideal for:
People who feel called to explore a nature-based spiritual practice. Perhaps you feel closest to God/Goddess/Creator/something bigger than yourself, in the natural world. Perhaps you sense that the trees are alive and can communicate with you. Perhaps you have had a deep experience of the interconnectedness of all life while sitting on a mountaintop, or digging your hands into lush garden soil. Perhaps you have noticed that you feel most alive and truly yourself in the wilderness, and want to figure out how to integrate that well-being into your daily life.
People who have never journeyed before and wish to learn this powerful practice of direct revelation.
People who have extensive experience with shamanic journeying and wish to deepen their skills.
People who feel out of balance with the Earth and want to find practices and a community to support coming into sacred reciprocity.
People who wish to explore and develop the ability to journey on behalf of others. This training meets the requirements for an Introduction to Shamanic Journeying training in Sandra Ingerman's lineage, and will prepare you to take more advanced trainings in shamanic healing methods such as Soul Retrieval or Extraction.
People who wish to find and build nature-based spiritual community.
People who are sick and tired of the culture of domination and power-over - and wish to engage in a spiritual practice that views all life as equally worthy of reverence and respect.
People who wish to find relief from their critical minds and cultivate intuition, inner knowing, creativity, seeing through our loving hearts, and the voice of our loving souls.
People who are looking for a spiritual practice that will empower them to meet these challenging times with creativity, love, and soul power.
People who want a spiritual practice that is playful and fun!
What will I Learn?
In this retreat, you will…
Learn the practice of shamanic journeying;
Learn how to ask the most effective questions for shamanic journeys, and how to interpret and integrate the guidance you receive;
Learn about mental and physical illness from a shamanic perspective;
Meet one of your spirit helpers, such as a Power Animal or ancestral human Teacher;
Journey to receive spiritual support and wisdom for your life;
Journey to receive guidance on behalf of another person;
Explore shamanic worldviews of interconnectedness, reverence, and radical equality in the natural world;
Journey to receive guidance on how to show up in these challenging times in your full personal power;
And, last but by no means least: meet and build community with like-minded people, and have a chance to rest, relax, and play!
Logistics
Location: This retreat will take place at Deer Hill Expeditions, which is located on a stunningly beautiful parcel of land two miles south of the small town of Mancos in rural, southwest Colorado.
The land boasts gorgeous views of Mesa Verde, is populated with cottonwood, pinon and juniper trees, and also has plenty of wide open, grassy spaces. During break times, you can explore trails, swim in the pond, or lie down under a cottonwood tree. The dark skies are perfect for stargazing.
Camping, lodging, and commuter options are all available.
Retreat Schedule
The retreat begins with check-in at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 5, and ends after lunch on Sunday, September 7. Early check-in on Thursday evening is available for people traveling from out of town and lodging at Deer Hill. Here is the tentative full-day schedule:
8-9 a.m. Breakfast (for lodgers)
9:30-12:30 Morning session
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:15 Break for rest and play! (Hiking, resting, journaling, socializing…)
3:15-5:45: Afternoon session
5:45-6:45: Dinner
7-8:30 Evening session
Meals
Every participant will be served a soup and salad lunch, and a hot dinner. People who choose to stay at Deer Hill will also receive breakfast. Meals will be prepared by Deer Hill’s chef, and will feature proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Their chef is excellent at honoring people’s dietary restrictions, and provides meals that are safe for celiacs.
Cost (not including lodging) - EARLY BIRD: TAKE 10% OFF THROUGH JUNE 30
To accommodate a range of financial resources, we are offering three primary payment levels for this retreat. These fees includes facility rental, meals, and tuition. (If you choose to lodge at Deer Hill, we will bill you for lodging once your indicate your choice.)
Base fee per person: Sustainer Level, $525. This level covers the basic costs of offering this event. If you’re usually able to meet your needs for basic living expenses with ease, afford non-essential classes and retreats with budgeting, and can eat out occasionally, please consider paying at this level.
Supporter Level: $675. This level allows us to offer a reduced price level for those on limited incomes. If you navigate life with financial ease and have the ability to fulfill many wants and needs (you can afford to dine out when you like, can easily meet your needs through your work or can comfortably not work, you own property, have access to family wealth, etc.) please consider paying at this level. (For those who have the resources and desire to provide a full scholarship for another participant, please see the Gold Sponsor Level below.) Thank you for your generosity!
Supported Level: $350. For those on limited incomes. If you find it challenging to cover your basic needs and have limited access to resources, or if you would not be able to access this retreat without a discounted option, we invite you to choose this level. We value your presence and do not want economic circumstances to be a barrier for you. If $325 presents a barrier, you are invited to apply for a scholarship on the registration form.
For Native/Indigenous individuals: If you identify as Native American/indigenous and wish to take this training, we will gladly waive the tuition and facility rental fee, not in the spirit of charity, but in solidarity and acknowledgment of historical atrocities and continuing present-day inequities. We ask that you pay for your meals ($95 for the weekend) and, should you choose to stay at Deer Hill, for your lodging.
Scholarship Sponsor Level: This option is available to people who would like to pay for their own costs, as well as provide a full scholarship for another participant. Thank you for your generosity!
Lodging Options
Bunkhouse & Camping: The most affordable lodging option, you may choose to camp and/or sleep in the heated bunkhouse (think of a children’s summer camp - bring all your own gear, toiletries, towels and bedding). Campers and bunkers will have access to a spacious and clean bathhouse (which involves a bit of a walk). Hot breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Total price for camping/bunking, breakfasts, and cleaning fee per person for two nights = $116.
Private Rooms: If you prefer a private room, we’ve got you covered. There are several options, and all are clean and beautifully maintained. Some of the rooms are onsite at Deer Hill; we have also reserved a block of rooms in downtown Mancos at the Mesa Verde Motel (a 5-minute drive from the retreat venue), in case of overflow. A hot breakfast at Deer Hill on Saturday and Sunday mornings is included in the price. Total price for a private room for two nights, which includes cleaning fees and breakfast, ranges from $300-$375.
Deer Hill will be able to let us know how many rooms are available in the coming weeks. Then, we will be able to give you more details on the options available, including whether there are any double rooms available to reduce costs. We will provide this information to you no later than July 15, and likely sooner.
Commuter: You are also welcome to stay at your own home, or book your own lodging, and commute. In this case, your total retreat fee is the base price. This option does not include breakfast at Deer Hill.
Air Travel
I recommend using United Airlines to fly into the Durango airport, and renting a car there. Only two airlines service the Durango airport. United has been reliable; American has not. You may also wish to fly in a day or two early to see Mesa Verde National Park, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, and other sites!
FAQs
Why now?
We need shamanic journeying now more than ever. In this practice, there is no authority to intervene and tell you what is right and wrong. No patriarchy, racism, original texts (and centuries of intentional mistranslations), or any other mediating influence seeks to tear you away from your inner knowing, your loving heart, and the wisdom of the spirit world. In other words, shamanic journeying is a practice of direct revelation.
In this way, shamanic journeying is a profoundly anti-authoritarian practice. Perhaps this is why the forces of colonialism have so violently sought to wipe it out.
I am Christian; or Jewish; or Muslim; or Buddhist; or… Will this training be helpful to me? And will I be welcome?
Absolutely! Shamanism is non-denominational, and anti-fundamentalist. People from many different religious orientations have experienced profound benefits from learning how to journey. Shamanic journeying is essentially another way to pray - only in this methodology, you receive answers! For example, many open-minded Christians who have learned to journey have experienced direct communication with Jesus, Mary, and saints. All people who are open-minded and respectful of other belief systems are welcome here.
I have indigenous ancestry, but have been severed from the spiritual practices of my people. Could this training be helpful for me?
Yes. In fact, I would say this training is designed for all of us who have been severed from the spiritual practices of our indigenous ancestors.
I have religious trauma. I feel called to this training but I have zero tolerance for people telling me what to believe.
Then there could be no more empowering practice for you than this. Shamanic journeying is profoundly anti-authoritarian. I have worked with some clients whose religious trauma is so severe that, no matter how much they trust me, they are incapable of letting down their protective walls enough to hear what the Helping Spirits are saying through me. For these clients, I have found that teaching them to journey on their own behalf is the most liberating practice of all.
Additionally: while I myself do not have religious trauma that is as severe as the example above, I have been hurt very badly by people wielding religious doctrine to tell me that there is something wrong with me as an LGBTQ+++ person. One of the most healing experiences I’ve had on the shamanic path is learning to journey with others. When two people are journeying on the same question (which we will try in this training!), and receive different visions, we ask not “who is right and who is wrong?,” but rather: how can both of us be right? How do these different perspectives fit together into a larger whole?
In this way, shamanic journeying teaches us how to respect the wisdom of everyone, rather than our usual cultural move: fighting to be right and make the other wrong. This holistic, multi-faceted approach to knowledge has been life-changing for me.
What if I’m not capable of journeying? Not everyone can be a shaman, right?
This is like saying that not everyone can pray because not everyone can become a minister, priest, rabbi or imam. From experience with untold numbers of clients, I have come to believe that with enough practice and support, everyone can receive guidance and healing from the spirit realm through shamanic journeying. It is our birthright. If you find that it does not come easily to you, it does not mean that you are not suited to it, or defective in some way. It likely means your analytical mind has taken over your life! In my case, it took me and my over-educated brain many years of practice and healing before I became comfortable trusting this process.
On the use of the honorific title of shaman: in shamanic cultures, people generally didn’t call themselves shamans. This was a title that was conferred by the community, based on the effectiveness of their work and the strength and integrity of their character. In fact, many people believed that if someone called himself a shaman, he would lose his powers because it showed that his ego was taking over and his spirit helpers would leave him.
What is your shamanic lineage? Where does this style of shamanic journeying come from?
This form of shamanism is known as “cross-cultural” or “core” shamanism. My primary teacher at this time is Sandra Ingerman, one of the most well-known and trusted shamans in the modern Western world. Sandra is perhaps best known for her work in bringing the sacred healing practice of soul retrieval back to the West. Her teacher, Michael Harner, is the anthropologist who studied shamanic practices all over the world and saw a startling pattern: that nearly all of them engaged in some form of shamanic journeying. Harner created this particular method of journeying because it works well in our modern culture and makes it accessible to everyone.
I prefer the term “cross-cultural” to “core” shamanism because the latter phrase suggests that one person, who is limited by his own individual perspective, culture, and historical era (as we all are), could determine which elements are “core” and which are peripheral.
If you’d like to learn more about my background, here is my bio.
What’s the difference between ayahuasca (or some other plant medicine) journeys, and drum journeys (the kind of journeys we’ll do in this training)?
Plant medicine journeys last much longer than drum journeys, involve more intense physiological responses, require a person to surrender a much greater degree of control, and therefore necessitate a safe and trustworthy facilitator. Unfortunately, I have supported several clients over the years to heal from the harm they experienced from unsafe facilitators of plant medicine journeys.
Drum journeys, in contrast, can last anywhere from a single minute to an hour or more, typically involve no physiological discomfort, and require much less surrender of control because you can exit a drum journey at any moment. Because of these features, drum journeys are much more easily integrated as a spiritual practice into daily life. However, for these same reasons, they do require more practice and cultivation of focus, especially in our screen-dominated culture of distraction.
I want to be respectful of other cultures, and don’t want to engage in cultural appropriation. Is this style of shamanic journeying cultural appropriation?
This is an important question, and there are probably as many perspectives on cultural appropriation as there are people. All I can do is offer mine, and invite you to draw your own conclusion.
Remember: shamanic journeying has arisen in indigenous cultures all over the world, including Europe, Africa, First Nations in North, Central and South Americas, and Australia. As my teacher Sandra Ingerman likes to say, “If you are alive today, you have ancestors who practiced shamanism.” No one owns this practice; it would be like saying that one particular culture owns prayer. The problem is, the vast majority of us have been violently severed from the shamanic roots of our ancestors and many of the traditions of our own specific lineages have been lost.
This cross-cultural form of journeying was created to make journeying accessible for modern Western people. It does not steal any specific ceremonies, practices, drumbeats, styles of dress, or language from any specific culture.
I feel that it is important to acknowledge there are indeed egregious examples of cultural appropriation by white people who call themselves shamans. These involve taking specific ceremonies (such as sweat lodges), tools and methods (such as a sacred way of building a sweat lodge), and regalia that are worn by specific peoples, without permission.
To be frank with you, because I was so concerned about this issue, I have journeyed on this question many times over the years. The messages my spirit helpers keep giving me is that my soul is called to this work, and that modern Western people need this work in order to heal ourselves and the planet. Notably, this guidance fits with the increasing number of indigenous scholars who are calling on all of us — and especially the descendants of colonists, since we are destroying the planet — to restore the kinship worldview and become indigenous to place.
Questions? You are welcome to contact me!