Shamanica Institute

04/27/2026

This week we will look into the shamanic symbol of the Sacred Circle. It is the introduction to the shamanic Soul Retrieval ritual that we will discuss in the coming meetups.

The sacred circle is a universally present form of very ancient origin and is to be found on all five continents, and amongst a great diversity of people. It is a symbol of centered wholeness, what C.G. Jung called a 'mandala' after the Sanskrit word for sacred symbol. This symbol is very common throughout the Americas and play a big role in the traditional life of many indigenous peoples, and plays a special role in shamanic healing and sacred ceremonies.

Breaking the Hoop results in Soul Loss
Common causes for breaking the sacred hoop are trauma, accident, death of loved ones, unhealthy family dynamics in childhood and so on. A whole nation of people can have a broken hoop. Jung noted that when the hoop of a nation or a people breaks, meaninglessness, poverty, addictions, self-hatred and rage often take place….this is a condition of massive soul loss and is something we see quite often in the news these days. It is the same for individual people, soul loss comes after the hoop has become violated or broken.

When a hoop is broken, the integrity of the life within is fragmented, and depression, addictions, sexual promiscuity, low-esteem, hopelessness and despair result…all symptoms of soul loss. Soul retrieval is ultimately about regaining the lost parts of you, of soul energies and potentials that have fragmented or split off when your sacred hoop broke. Before shamanic soul retrieval can really be a solid option, the patient must begin rebuilding or mending the broken hoop, by returning to the teachings and wisdom of the sacred hoop. Without this basic action, there is not enough support for soul retrieval.

https://www.facebook.com/events/964175972863956/

Send a message to learn more

04/20/2026

This week we will explore how to recognize when spiritual guidance is truly aligned with growth, truth, and wellbeing.

As we open to intuition, synchronicity, and expanded states of consciousness, we step into subtle realms where our awareness connects with transpersonal energies: archetypes, guides, and influences that move through us. In these moments, we are not just receiving insights; we are also channeling and expressing these forces into the world.

But in that same spiritual ecosystem, alongside benevolent guidance, there are also influences that can mislead, confuse, or drain our energy. So the essential question becomes:
How do we discern who — or what — we are truly listening to?

We will explore The Five Signs of Alignment, practical indicators that guidance is coming from a source that supports your highest wellbeing:
-The Fruit Test
Aligned guidance nourishes clarity, compassion, and meaningful change. If the “fruit” is dissociation, ego inflation, or fear, it’s not aligned.
- Direction of the Will
True guidance supports integrity, healing, and connection. Anything that urges manipulation, egocentric behavior, or self-importance is a red flag.
- The Body as a Truth-Sensor
Real guidance lands as grounding, warmth, and calm presence.
Misaligned influence creates pressure, panic, or dissociation.
- Truth Resonance
True guidance reinforces ethical behavior, discipline and long-term wellbeing, over impulsive or ego-driven rewards.
- Community Reflection
Wisdom supports self-reflection and accountability. If old patterns continue to repeat within the community, it is not a healthy or supportive space.

True guidance brings coherence, clarity and harmony. False guidance inflates ego, isolates, and brings chaos. Join us as we learn to trust what moves us toward wholeness and recognize what pulls us away from it.

https://www.facebook.com/events/4206936992893583/

Send a message to learn more

04/14/2026

The Axis Mundi is a universal symbol found across cultures:
the sacred center that connects Above, Middle, and Below, Spirit, Psyche, and Body, Transcendent meaning and everyday life.

But beyond cosmology, the Axis Mundi is also a map of values. Every human being lives around an inner axis - whether consciously or unconsciously - and that axis determines what matters, what guides decisions, and what gives life coherence.

This week we will look at Axis Mundi as an Inner Compass.
Psychologically, the Axis Mundi represents the organizing principle of the self:
- When a person has a stable inner axis, values are coherent.
- Choices align across time.
- Suffering is contextualized rather than chaotic.

When the Axis Mundi collapses, individually or culturally, values become unstable. This shows up as:
- moral relativism without orientation
- compulsive behaviors filling the void
- spiritual inflation or nihilism
- loss of connection with the Sacred

In essence, the Axis Mundi is the hidden structure behind every value system. Tell me where your axis is anchored and I can tell you what your values will be under pressure.
When the axis is clear, values organize naturally. When it is lost, no amount of moral reasoning can replace it.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2305516129940172/

Send a message to learn more

04/05/2026

This week we will talk about Healing as Integration and Purpose.

We will explore healing not as “fixing what’s broken,” but as integrating what has been forgotten and living the purpose already seeded within us.

From a Jungian perspective, healing means bringing unconscious material into consciousness: reclaiming projections, integrating shadow, and realigning Heart and Mind so our outer life matches our inner truth.

From a Shamanic perspective, illness is often seen as a loss of connection or purpose. Each of us carries a unique role, embedded in our heart and DNA. When life drifts away from this calling, symptoms arise as healthy reactions to unhealthy situations. Through practices of reconnection, soul-retrieval and grounded integration, we restore our original vitality and path.

Both traditions invite us to listen to the quiet voice of the soul and to bring its wisdom into everyday action and service.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1989814758556161/

Send a message to learn more

03/30/2026

This week we will talk about the Sacred as a system of values and how it shapes the process of psychedelic integration.

Psychedelic and plant medicine journeys often bring encounters with what feels sacred: moments of truth, love, unity, or deep clarity. Rather than seeing these only as mystical experiences, we can understand them psychologically as direct encounters with core values: the deeper principles that organize meaning, identity, and behavior.

Living in alignment with the Sacred means allowing our highest values to guide our actions, rather than being driven by impulse or fear.

But insight alone is not transformation. Integration is the process of turning what felt sacred into how you actually live.

We will explore a practical Integration Framework, including five core dimensions:
- Stabilization: creating a safe container for what has become sacred, so it is not fragmented or lost.
- Emotional Integration: allowing what surfaced to be fully felt and processed
- Meaning-Making: clarifying what the experience revealed as important
- Behavioral Alignment: bringing those values into daily life, aligning habits, choices, and relationships
- Spiritual Discernment: relating to transpersonal experiences with clarity and humility

Without integration, powerful experiences can remain memories.
With integration, they become structure, direction, and embodied change.

Integration is not about chasing peak experiences, it’s about organizing your life around what you discovered is truly sacred.

https://www.facebook.com/events/920432807647622/

Send a message to learn more

03/27/2026

03/16/2026

Hermetic philosophy, rooted in the ancient teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, offers profound insights into the nature of reality and the human psyche. In this meetup we will explore three Hermetic principles and how they apply to psychology, relationships, and personal transformation.

The Principle of Mentalism — The All is Mind
Reality is shaped by consciousness. Our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions influence how we experience the world. Yet true intelligence includes not only the thinking mind but also the wisdom of the heart. When mind and heart work together, our actions become clearer, wiser, and more aligned.

The Principle of Correspondence — As within, so without
The outer world often reflects our inner state. Relationships, conflicts, and life situations can mirror unconscious beliefs and emotional patterns. Recognizing this helps us move from projection to self-awareness and transformation.

The Principle of Cause and Effect — Nothing happens by chance
Every action, thought, and emotional pattern has consequences. Understanding this principle invites us to move from unconscious reaction to conscious participation in our lives. By becoming aware of the causes within us, we can begin to transform the effects we experience.

We will discuss how these principles relate to shadow work, consciousness, and everyday life, and how ancient wisdom can support modern inner development.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1103223048626052/

Send a message to learn more

03/12/2026

In this conversation C. Michael Smith explores the multifaceted nature of awakening, emphasizing that it is not a singular event but a continuous journey involving integration, discernment, and the embodiment of compassion. He discusses the importance of the heart as a guiding force, the necessity of facing darkness, and the role of creativity in expressing our true nature. He highlights the significance of daily practices in maintaining a connection to the divine and the ongoing effort required to actualize our spiritual potential.

C. Michael Smith is a clinical psychologist and medical anthropologist trained at the University of Chicago, the Chicago Theological Seminary, and the C.G. J...

03/12/2026

In this meeting we will discuss the use of psychedelics in our culture, and we will look at practical tools for integrating a psychedelic experience - introducing A 10-Point Framework for Psychedelic Integration.

From a shamanic perspective, the key distinction between using psychedelics for spiritual growth and using them as mere drugs lies in intention, sacredness, and integration.

When approached with respect and purpose, psychedelics become a tool for deep healing and self-discovery. In contrast, recreational use often lacks direction, leading to escapism rather than transformation. While both may induce altered states of consciousness, one is a path to wisdom, while the other risks disconnection and fragmentation.

Used with care and reverence, psychedelics can be portals to profound healing. But the key lies not merely in the substance itself, but in the sacrality of the experience—the container in which it unfolds. It is the sacredness of the experience—not the intensity of it—that makes it truly transformative.

Integration is the most crucial phase of a psychedelic journey. The real transformation happens not during the experience but afterward, when insights are processed and applied to daily life. Shamanic traditions and spiritual seekers emphasize the importance of being in a healthy environment, engaging in intentional reflection, and embodying newfound insights, to ensure that the wisdom gained becomes a part of your being.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1457836676355122

Send a message to learn more

02/22/2026

This week we will continue discussing a few concepts that are important to understand in our spiritual journey. We will do so from the Hermetic perspective and also from the Shamanic standpoint.

- Healing deep trauma, Jungian complexes, spirit intrusions, arcanas, and the shamanic techniques employed in this transformative work

- Patological behavior and the forces behind it - how emotional wounds shape our personalities and behaviors. We will look at five key emotional injuries—rejection, abandonment, humiliation, betrayal, and injustice—that originate in early life and significantly influence how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world.

These injuries are linked to specific masks or personas we develop as coping mechanisms: the rejected person becomes the escapee, the abandoned the dependent, the humiliated the ma*****st, the betrayed the controller, and the unjustly treated the rigid perfectionist.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2415894325514733

Send a message to learn more

02/18/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5sQuKDt2s/?igsh=MXNrYjRxazE4N2MxeA==

12/23/2025

I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your trust and commitment have been truly inspiring, and it has been an honor to walk alongside you on your journey this year.

I wish you real and lasting breakthroughs in the year ahead.
May the spirit of this season bless you, keep you safe, and surround you with the love of family and friends.
Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas!
Dan 🌵🎄🩷