Change Your Story, Change Your Life: Using Shamanic and Jungian Tools to Achieve Personal Transformation

261 Pages·2014·1.47 MB·English

by  Carl Greer

PRAISE FOR
CHANGE YOUR STORY, CHANGE YOUR LIFE
“…a rich guide to shedding old limiting stories and dreaming a new world of being.”
— ALBERTO VILLOLDO , author of Shaman, Healer, Sage “Carl Greer has written a
wonderful and compassionate guide for seekers of psychological and spiritual growth. He introduces
the reader to basic shamanic and Jungian concepts to link timeless ritual methods with modern
active imaginal techniques. His clear explanations provide perspective, and his suggested exercises
support personal exploration. A lovely book.”
— SYLVIA BRINTON PERERA, LP , Jungian Psychoanalyst and author of Descent to the
Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women “We live our own story, and, if we change it, we can
change our lives. When we rewrite our story, we also rewire our brain to live by a new manuscript.
Researchers call this the Neuroplasticity of the brain. In his compelling book, Jungian Analyst and
Shaman Dr.Carl Greer invites us to be a storyteller in our own narrative: one who has the
Imaginatio, or creative vision, to create a new story to live our true destiny—our teleos. He offers a
brilliant synthesis of Jung’s Analytical psychology and the ancient Shamanic practices and rituals,
such as Journeying into and Dialoguing with our multiple worlds to go beyond personal life
experiences to the source, the Unus Mundus, to rework our story. Hands-on exercises and case
examples make this treasure trove accessible to the reader in practical ways to implement in their
life story. The purpose of this personal transformation is to live a life that honors our true skills,
potentials and spiritual purpose, and in turn deploy these in service to our family, our community,
and our world—revitalizing them for generations to come. This is a timely book for individuals
who wish to live an informed life based on the timeless wisdom of the past, and to deal with
contemporary challenges in order to claim a purposeful future.”
— ASHOK BEDI, M.D. Psychiatrist and Jungian Analyst, author of Path to the Soul and
Crossing the Healing Zone
C Y S ,
HANGE OUR TORY
C Y L
HANGE OUR IFE
U S J T
SING HAMANIC AND UNGIAN OOLS TO
A P T
CHIEVE ERSONAL RANSFORMATION
CARL GREER, PHD, PSYD
© Carl Greer 2014
The right of Carl Greer to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.
Published in 2014 by Findhorn Press, Scotland ISBN 978-1-84409464-6
All rights reserved.
The contents of this book may not be reproduced in any form, except for short extracts for quotation or review,
without the written permission of the publisher.
A CIP record for this title is available from the British Library.
Edited by Nicky Leach Cover and Interior design by Damian Keenan Printed in the USA Published by
Findhorn Press
117-121 High Street,
Forres IV36 1AB,
Scotland, UK
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Alberto Villoldo, PhD
Preface
1 Transforming Your Life Through the Power of Story
2 Shamanism and How It Can Help You Change Your Story
3 Exploring Your Current Story
4 Writing a New and Better Story
5 Preparing for Shamanic Practices
6 Journeying and Dialoguing
7 Taking Shamanic Journeys
8 Understanding the Energies That Influence Your Story
9 Working with the Archetypal Energies of Death and Initiation
10 Working with Dreams and Nature to Manifest Your New Story
11 Using Ritual and Ceremony to Manifest Your New Story
12 Writing New Stories for Society
13 Living According to Your New Story
Afterword
End Notes
Disclaimer
The information contained herein is provided as a public service. It is included for
educational and informational purposes only, is not a substitute for professional
advice or treatment, and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a medical or
emotional problem or condition. Always seek professional advice with any questions
you may have regarding a particular medical or psychological issue. Reliance on any
information provided in this book is solely at your own risk; the publisher and
author assume no responsibility for your actions. Workshop participants’ stories
have been used by permission and without attribution to protect confidentiality. In
cases where clients’ material has been used, personally identifiable details have been
altered to protect confidentiality.
Thanks to Alberto Villoldo, PhD, author of Shaman, Healer, Sage, for permission to
adapt his sacred space invocation and the journeys to the lower and upper worlds.
Acknowledgments
Some years ago, when I was asked to teach classes about shamanism, I decided to
teach how shamanic practices can be used to deal with everyday life issues. This
book is an outgrowth of my shamanic teaching, as well as my Jungian training,
experiences, and perspective.
I am indebted to many people for helping make this book possible. My shamanic
mentors and friends have given me gifts of friendship and companionship as we
have joined each other in using shamanic practices. Alberto Villoldo started me on
my shamanic path and has been a mentor, teacher, and friend. We have explored
some fascinating and mysterious frontiers together. Theo Paredes has taught me
much about Andean shamanism and shared his wisdom and many adventures with
me. Marv and Shanon Harwood have shared their Blackfoot traditions with me,
and our experiences together have been spiritual, provocative, and fun.
Many Q’ero shamans, and shaman Don Martin, have initiated me into their
traditions, for which I am grateful. I thank the shamans in Australia, Mongolia, and
Ethiopia with whom I have spent time and worked.
Those who attended my workshops and those for whom I have been a shamanic
practitioner or Jungian analyst have taught me much, and I am grateful for those
who shared their experiences for inclusion in this book. Your generosity will help
others better understand how to use various practices and techniques to change
their own stories.
I acknowledge my Jungian colleagues, with whom I have shared friendship and
exploration of the transpersonal realms. Special thanks to Murray Stein, Lee Roloff,
Mary Doherty, James Wylie, and Judy Shaw, who were important parts of my
Jungian journey.
Charlotte Kelchner has given me invaluable editorial assistance and helped me
organize a large amount of often seemingly disjointed material. Nancy Peske’s
insights and editorial guidance were very useful in helping me to get the book ready
for publishing and in navigating the world of book publishing. Gladys Burow, my
administrative assistant for 46 years, has helped me with numerous drafts of this
book. Devra Jacobs, my agent, has been diligent in finding me a publisher.
I want to acknowledge my children, Caryn, Michael, and Janet, and my
stepchildren, Michael, Susie, and Jeannie, as well as their significant others, Rudy,
Jenny, Joe, Leslie, and Mike, who have all been part of my journey.
I want to acknowledge Pat—my love, my wife, and my partner in exploring the
symbolic and the literal realms of our lives. She has supported my shamanic journey
and my devoting time to writing this book. Her careful reading of the drafts and her
comments helped make the book better.
Finally, I am thankful for being part of life’s plan and having the opportunity to
write this book.
Dedication
To all the spiritual seekers who use the wisdom they gain
from their experiences to choose a new story.