This week’s Dance First Member Insight is from Ya’Acov Darling Khan and Phoenix Rising!
Is There Really Someone to Blame?
Movement Medicine Co-Founder and Contemporary Shaman Ya’Acov Darling Khan talks about the human addiction to blame and the choice to stand up, grow up and play our role in the dance of life……….
It’s a good thing that we’re evolving in our understanding of the effects of trauma. It’s clear that when we’ve been hurt, we humans are magnificently creative in the ways we adapt to manage that hurt. And just like when we physically hurt ourselves, the body responds to protect that hurt; the same is true in the psyche. Muscles go into spasms, and so do we.
Sadly, humans are not that great at knowing when to let that protection go. Brilliant as we are, though, we’ve instead created a whole bunch of healing arts to bring the body and nervous system up to date. If we don’t, the body will do its best, but the effects of that hurt may well appear later in life. The same is true of unhealed psychological trauma, be it our own or transgenerational in nature. Without the resource of good support, it can and does create havoc in our lives and the lives of the people we love.
We call this the Self’s Protective Adaptive
For me, what happens next is one of the greatest of human mysteries. What are the differences between those who feel broken by their experience and those who feel strengthened by it? Available resource is part of the picture. Both at the time and later in life. Apparently, being seen and loved by just one person, even if that person is powerless to intervene or protect us, makes a huge difference in our capacity. In my own shamanic journey, I was taught many times by different people that everything in our past, no exceptions, is potential medicine for the present. My own experience has shown me this is true. And I was delighted when my wife Susannah recently sent me an article from ‘The Conversation’ by Steve Taylor. Taylor shares that a great deal of research has shown that suffering and trauma can have a positive long-term effect. He calls it post-traumatic growth and connects the phenomenon to a breaking down of identity that allows for ‘Extraordinary Awakenings,’ the title of his book.
Gabrielle Roth taught us to turn our suffering into art. In three and half decades of teaching, we have carried that powerful invitation forward. We have developed a contemporary form of shamanic soul retrieval and evolution work called the Phoenix Process. It is a trauma-aware do-it-yourself healing practice that has enabled many people to change their relationship to their past so that it becomes strength at their back – rather than more reasons for blame and shame.
For the first time, I’m offering this process in an online live teaching format over 5 weeks, from February 10 to March 10. The journey includes a Free explorer pass to the Movement Medicine Study Hub, Listening Circles in small groups with a trained Movement Medicine tutor, and a study buddy to travel alongside. There’s already a strong circle of people worldwide who have taken their place in the circle.
If one of the remaining places has your name on it, then why not take advantage of our special winter gift of £100 voucher that can be used for any online Movement Medicine self-study courses or upcoming live workshops, including Phoenix Rising. You can also give the voucher to a friend. Simply use the code WINTERLIGHT and share the code SOULSCAPE with someone you love. The voucher expires on 31st January at Midnight (UK).
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all these years of practice, it’s that everyone I’ve ever met has it in them to find the courage and the resources to stand up inside themselves, grow up and take responsibility for their lives, and then play their role with maximum enjoyment and soul for the benefit of everything and everyone their love. Shall we dance?
YDK. January 2022
Video: An Invitation to Transformation
Video: Phoenix Rising: What People Have to Say
Ya’Acov has been studying and practicing shamanism all his life. When he was 21, he was hit by lightning and through this, began a three-decade-long journey of initiation. He has been recognised as a practicing shaman by Elder Shamans from the Sami (European tradition), and Achuar and Sápara peoples of the Amazon. Together with his wife Susannah, he is the Co-Creator of Movement Medicine, a contemporary and dynamic shamanic practice designed to support people from all walks of life to be who they are and give what they’ve got. Ya’Acov’s work come straight from the heart. He inspires people, often with great humour, to remember who they are.
He is the best-selling author of Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart (Hay House 2017), the creator of Shaman’s Song – Shamanic Journeys to Empower, Inspire and Re-Connect (Hay House 2018), and the Co-Author of Movement Medicine – How to Dance, Awaken and Live your Dreams, (Hay House 2009). His new book, Shaman – Invoking Power, Purpose and Presence at the Core of Who You Are was published by Hay House in Spring 2020.
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