Beth

Hello Esthetic11 Cammie has some good suggestions. I'd like to add that one can recap the emotion around memory as well as the specific memory. In other words, it doesn't matter how you experienced what you experienced. Treat the experiences as real.You can do the same with dreams. I think it's been proven that everything we experience, whether or not it's based in a "solid" reality, is experienced by our bodies as having really happened. I believe it was a study done about the effects of dreaming on the human psyche. I could be mistaken, but I don't think so. Just recap all the stuff without judgment about its solidity, dimension, etc. Good luck, and keep recapping all of it.

Hello! To answer your first question, very simply - Quicksilver is a class on perception, how it is different from but works in tandem with awareness. Good class! I hope that helps a bit. Beth

And also what Eman said.

Hello nitekreature - First, let me say I'm sorry you have to deal with this beast of a problem. And then you need to understand that depression is a liar. The thoughts generated by it are completely false. I'm old enough now to have been down Depression Alley often and hard, and have learned that nothing remains the same forever. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it from where you're sitting. Belle has given you a good suggestion. Here's the next part. There are always steps forward that you can take. They may seem hard, but if you take them, one at a time, you'll find a little light coming into your tunnel. First read this article by Gary and try the things that are suggested, some of which Belle has mentioned. https://www.shamanscave.com/emotional-healing/fighting-depression Next, spend at least 20 minutes a day outdoors or somewhere you can see living green. Indoor plants will do at a pinch. A cactus will do. Video screens and green paint won't work. Living green. It's necessary for your sympathetic nervous system. No phones, music, nothing but you, resting in the green. At this point no focus is required. Existence alone. The next part is a mite harder - be aware of your feet on the ground. Touch the earth. Pay attention to the texture, the smell. What does your hearing tell you about your environment? You don't have to do all of it at once if you have focus issues. Just a bit at a time. Turn around in your energy and face outward. Close your eyes and listen for the farthest sound you can hear. Simple things. They are a start. Continue your classes as best you can. When you begin to crawl out the other side of the depression, look to see how your experience might be put to use in helping someone else. Depression is how I found the Cave, and that was in 2005. I've been here ever since. Perhaps think of your depression as a teacher or a lesson. If you can manage to listen to what it's telling you beneath the lies, you may find some answers. And then listen to the earth. Always the earth. I hope you'll be feeling better soon. The universe is all about change. Hang in there. You're not alone. - Beth

Hi Confilid - I'd like to add to Karl's comment on your #2 question. I agree with what he says, first of all. But also, "Shamanism is just a belief system that keeps you tunnel-visioned in and unable to see the grand picture at large which has no belief system" is incorrect. The shamanic is not at all "tunnel-visioned." In fact, it's scope is breathtaking at the very least, and the "picture at large" very grand indeed. Perhaps your friend is referring to some of the paler imitations of shamanism out there these days. A misconception people often have is that shamanism can be a choice. It can't, at least not very often. As Karl states, you will know if it is the path you need to follow. A great many people can learn various shamanic techniques, and schools have sprung up to teach these things. Unfortunately, knowing a lot of techniques is not at the core of shamanism, and very few find the shamanic way to be their own true way. It's pretty devastating to experience what you did. These things take time and work to get past. Continue your journey. Eventually you'll sort it all out. My best wishes to you, Beth

Scott, you might have more luck looking at the Facebook shamanism groups. The woman who runs Dance of the Deer is a moderator on one of the groups, and has advertised her retreats. You might find some of the participants through these Facebook threads. Beth

Anthony, Lorrie and Mandy have given you the best advice. Take it from all of us, we know it's no picnic to feel this way. Recapitulation really helps. Take care. Beth

Greetings - I'll get right to the point. To classify or define one as you suggest would automatically limit one. Simply do what you do. We call ourselves Makers here and say that it is a shamanic tradition because that is what it generally resembles in a broad sense. But to try to fit yourself into a world definition (like "shaman," or "witch") would immediately set boundaries around what is possible for you. Why hold yourself to humanity's general acceptance of what is possible? Be. Act. Expand. Labels mean nothing. Follow what calls to your deepest heart. You will know who you are without words. The only thing of significance is what you do with it. Be well. Beth

Hi T. - Nick will probably answer this, but let me address one question you had regarding recapping with your sister. You should recap alone; we are each unique beings, regardless of our shared experience and regardless of our connection to one another. I'd advise recapping in separate places. If, later, you want to compare notes, that would be fine, but this is an individual's journey. As much as you might share with your sister, you are still separate from her unless you are conjoined twins. Even then, two people means two separate sets of perceptions and experiences. You don't want to water down or alter your own experience by joining it to hers. That could get confusing and ultimately be unhelpful. Nick may have more to say on this subject, but that's my bit for now. Perhaps some day you'll be able to join us in a class or two. Take care. I wish you well in recapping. Beth

I would agree with Mark. It looks like some damage in your core/heart energy. Be kind to, and patient with, yourself. Those deeper spots may take some time to work out, as Mark suggested. If you experience any form of fear just sit with it for a bit. The recap is a splendid tool for clearing out. Good luck with your process. We're always here to answer any questions. Beth

This website is a Maker website. Those of us responding to you so far are Makers. Take a look deeper into the website: http://www.shamanscave.com/self-healing/the-recapitulation. There are lots of great articles in addition to the self-healing technique. Maybe something will pique your interest.

What Rebecca said. We can spend an extraordinary amount of time looking for hidden bits of great enlightenment when what might have happened is that we simply ate a bad burrito. (The same with dream interpretation.) When one engages with a substance such as ayahuasca - or any other hallucinogenic mixture - we no longer see our own naked truth because we have engaged with an "ally" of sorts. You may receive helpful information for sure, but it is seen through a filter of something else that isn't you. The point is that no one knows your energy better than you do - not ayahuasca, not peyote, not alcohol, not Guru Whatsit. And if you look outside yourself for some of these answers, you don't learn them very well. This is why the makers emphasize self-healing and self-knowledge without the influence of other "allies." It is also why we don't do spirit animals. All things have energy and information for us should we wish to study it. If you have no knowledge of who you are, how can you have any knowledge of the universe around you? Keep looking for your own patterns, unaffected by anything else. What speaks to you out of those? Good luck! Beth

Hi Kailah - I would agree with Karl. Also, take a few moments to ground yourself first, or a few moments to focus on your breathing. I always found counting my breaths to be helpful because it stops that busy thought process that can get in the way. Good luck! Beth

I agree with what Mark said.

Just to add - your car is a wonderful place to recap. Just make sure you're not driving it at the time.