Online Sessions: Shamanic Journeying & Creative Release

Ever since the pandemic became a real issue for us in New York (and most likely wherever you are too) and we had to shelter in place, my libido has gone through three phases, each one lasting for about two weeks, in W shape. The first was a steep decline in desire, propelled by the anxiety and the shock of what was happening here and in the rest of the world, and especially in Peru, where I’m from. Then, as this new reality started to sink in, I started to channel the feeling of being in quarantine into different creative efforts and with that, my libido came back with fury and went into overload.

Needless to say, I was grateful to feel alive and sensual amid the chaos. But with no option but to take matters at hand repeatedly (like I suppose most single men in isolation are doing now), then like Pedro Almodovar, my libido “abandoned me” again. Now, as I prepare for the rise in energy I’ve been feeling for the past week, I can look back and see why I relate to the filmmaker’s assumption that “sadness and worry” can “displace erotic fantasies.” Our reproductive organs are activated by the brain, and the hypothalamus—which is in charge of releasing various hormones from the pituitary gland, including sex hormones like testosterone—can be affected by psychological factors since these inputs come from the cortex.

There is evidence that humans with anxiety disorders suffer from elevated activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area that makes us most human. “Self-awareness and the capacity for complex planning and problem solving”* (831) are associated with this frontal part of our brain, which is also the place “where erotic thoughts occur.”*As Bear & Co. explain, “the spinal cord coordinates this brain activity with sensory information from the genitals and generates the critical outputs that mediate the sexual responses of the genital structures.”* (587).

The key for this apparatus to work “properly” is the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is “activated” when we are relaxed. Anxiety and worry, related to the sympathetic division, inhibit erection and promote ejaculation, which is really interesting. The parasympathetic (calm) gets us hard but the sympathetic (stress) makes us come. Being off balance doesn’t feel good at all when you’re in isolation. You feel kind of numb if your sexual interest decreases abruptly or, in the opposite case, you may become angry and frustrated at the fact that you are not getting what you want. I have experienced both poles.

Kid you not, I could use a tantric session myself.

These psychosexual experiences have shaped my plans to remain connected with you--virtually-- until things change and we can get physical again. My new online sessions will roll out in two phases and the first one, called Shamanic Journeying & Creative Release (SJCR), starts today, over the phone or video, on a one-on-one basis.

* Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. Bear, Connors, Paradiso. 4th Edition, 2016.

My intention for these online Shamanic Journeying and Creative Release (SJCR) sessions is to help you achieve two things: to calm down the noise of the mind and, with clear purpose and with the help of our imaginative vista and sound, journey to an “in-between state” of consciousness where clues, signs or possible answers to the issue that brings us together can be made available.

First, we will open the session with a cleansing ritual--burning of palo santo or sage--accompanied by the the sound of rattles as we invoke healing intentions. We will then proceed to a breath-work exercise to ground our bodies and mind, and finally, we will engage in a “shamanic journey” accompanied by drumming. Finally, we will use our intuition and imagination to lay out a creative task, using whatever tools are at your disposal, to translate your journey experience into a physical or virtual/digital gift; a manifestation or a repository of anxiety, pain, malaise, unbalanced addictive behavior, sexual or emotional frustrations, etc.

Whatever you make will carry the intention that brought us together in the first place and as a “gift” it should be directly engaged with whom/what you’re offering it to. It could be a gift to yourself, such as a playful time in the bathtub decorated or arranged in ways that heightens your self-loving experience; or walking over to a river, park or beach to spend some time in the open air (using social distancing measures) to take mana, the healing qualities of nature. If you prefer to stay indoors, arranging a specific area of your home or decluttering your working home space are ideal gifts to yourself and your environment.

There is no limit to the possibilities of creation that can be generated but they will always be aligned with something that you either love doing, or as a means to provide you with support to tackle those things you believe you cannot do on your own. Now, if your gift is intended for somebody else, or for a community at large, I will guide you to make sure the ultimate “feeling” you obtain through the process is one of “elevated well-being” and that such a feeling is accurately translated and felt by anyone who witnesses your work, passing healing vibrations onto others. Hopefully, they will benefit from this transformative activity too.

—- Sensuality, Beauty, Eroticism, Compassion, Truth and Mindfulness are key.——

Since the nature of working with emotions that debilitate us demands dealing with things we don’t necessarily want to accept or see—like facing our own mortality or fearing or mourning the loss of those we love—the process can be difficult and painful. In these situations, how can we transform anger, for example? What would that process entail? How can we make sure that your feelings don’t get you stuck or move you into a downward spiral of more anger and frustration? These are the questions that we will address as we work together and the answers will largely be informed by the virtual shamanic journeys we do together.

At the end of every session, we will close by imaginatively releasing the heavy energies accumulated in the process into the mountain spirits of the Andes of Peru, a common practice for those trained in Peruvian shamanism. That way, we will always have a clear structure to our sessions, a beginning, middle and end and yet, each session will always be different and particular to the time we get together.

For now, SJCR sessions are only available on a one-on-one basis, but if you are in a relationship and would like to enhance your couple’s therapy work with this shamanistic-creative approach, I’ll be happy to discuss a way for us to work together. Needless to say, I am not a therapist, but based on prior experience I can attest that the work we do together can enhance the advancements you’re making in your therapy sessions.

Be confident that I am an open minded person and respectful of the choices you decide to make to help you transcend the limitations of the conscious mind. But I do have boundaries. If you are a crystal-meth user in recovery, for example, I’ll be happy to be there for you but only if you are sober during our sessions.

While I’ll be holding space for us directly from my studio in Manhattan, we will be journeying to non-physical places that may be familiar to you or perhaps completely unknown. Wherever we go, rest assured that we will fully come back in body and spirit to discuss in real time where you’ve been, what you saw or experienced, or if none of that occurred, to find ways in which that sensation of feeling ‘stuck in your head’ can be transformed into a practice of mindfulness about the present.

Sessions can be held via audio-only or video. For some, having another video chat can be a source of stress. If you are one of them, or if you simply prefer to maintain a healthy level of privacy and discretion, sessions by telephone are ideal, preferably with headphones on. If you are the kind of person that feels more open and trusting looking at me while we engage in the process, then video is the way to go.

At this point, sessions will be 45 min. long at a rate of US$45 paid via PayPal previous to our appointment. So yes, you will need to book a session in advance. To make an appointment, please visit this link and then connect with me to arrange time via this platform or by call, text message or WhatsApp Chat at +1-917-887-6769. You can also email me at tantricshamanamaru@gmail.com if you prefer.

If you're ready, and would like to prepare for a session, I suggest you find:

• A comfortable place to journey: a yoga mat, a sofa, a futon mattress, etc., pillows and a blanket or two.

• Blindfolds (for journeying).

• Some incense, sage or Palo Santo.

• Floral water (optional yet ideal).

One of the best online places for all things shamanic is The Shaman's Market so peruse and see what calls you.

Whether you're new to Shamanism or well-experienced does not matter. All are welcome. However, if you follow a particular path, I invite you to incorporate your own methods into our sessions. Remember, I’m only here to support your growth.

If you’d like to know a little more about me, take what I said to a group of shamanic fellows at a recent workshop when asked to name three good things about me: I’m a good listener, I’m disciplined and kinky. If that's not enough, please refer to the bottom of this page.

Looking forward to connecting with you, virtually, soon.

All the best,

A.A.

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My work as curandero came about as a byproduct of my performance art research, which took me back to my hometown in Cusco, Peru in 2011 to partake in my first ayahuasca ceremony, a life-changing experience. Soon after, I met Peruvian kamasqa curandero don Oscar Miro-Quesada in New York and later joined him for an end-of-year retreat in Florida. In 2013, I was formally initiated into the shamanic path at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY with Alberto Villoldo, PhD, along with two Q'ero Shamans from Peru. In 2016, I completed "The Path of the Universal Shaman” an 8-month online training program with don Oscar Miro-Quesada sponsored by California based “SHIFT” Organization. I continue my studies with him to this day. Additionally, I have attended seminars and workshops with Elizabeth B. Jenkins, Eleanora Amendolara, Stan Groff and Jonathan Hammond. I am also trained in Reiki, Shamanic Feng Sui and use of essential body oils. I have been in private service, offline, since 2011 and have led the Open/Gay Shamanic Circle of New York on several occasions.