Shamanic Journeys

continued

while on assignment.

So, when I read the following Observer Events listing — "Shamanic Journeys: Magical Education Council. Every Wednesday. Using special postures, participants enter a meditative state to the beat of a shaman's drum and discuss their experiences afterward" — I thought, hot damn. I'm there.

First, let me make it clear that there are no leaders in this group. Some folks get the announcements out and reserve the room. But no one sets an agenda or dictates expectations. According to one of the nonleaders, Jim, "the doors are open to whoever finds us. We just show up."

Before we get started, I overhear someone say that when he wakes in the morning he says, "Today I'm going to manifest love. It's its own reward." That's a better ritual than mine. Every morning at 6 a.m. my baby gets out of bed and runs down the hallway. And every morning I can't believe it. I manifest astonishment.