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www.shamansociety.org 37 __________________________________________________ Opposite Since March 2011 More than 100 monks and nuns have set themselves on fire inside Tibet in protest against the repressive Chinese occupation there. interview Jonathan Horwitz talks with Lenore Norrgard about Shamanic Activism Lenore Before we start would you mind telling me what in- spired you to ask me about shamanism activism and politics Jonathan I think initially many of us may come to shaman- ism because we feel we need empowerment and shamanic heal- ing is very empowering. But Ive noticed that a lot of people com- ing to shamanism get short-circuited. Looking around it seems some practitioners use their shamanic practice as sort of a spiri- tual backdrop for their lives rather than living it as a path that must constantly respond to life in order to be authentic. Many people also get caught up in technique rather than actually living a practice. What I aim for now when I teach from the very basic work- shop is to get people to live the things theyre actually taught and shown by the spirits rather than getting hung up on technique. I feel strongly that shamanic practice is about taking what you get from the spirits and taking it further together with the spirits. And as Ive watched you work I see that is what youre doing with your activism. I see you pursuing a legitimate spiritual path called shamanic activism which can include political activism and ecological activism. I see that pathway as one of the possible routes that a living shamanic practice can take. Lenore You also mentioned to me that youve seen a divorce be- tween shamanism and activism or spirituality and politics and that thats a problem. Jonathan Yes. Michael Harner always used to be adamant that shamanism is not political. I get so interested by this because a lot of people especially younger Americans say Im not into politics. They just cant see that that in itself is an incredibly political statement. Do you follow me Lenore Right Jonathan Because there are peoplepoliticians in factwho are going to decide the fate of the Earth. Of course a lot of people were disappointed by Obama in his first term and personally I wish hed shown his teeth more in the beginning. But parties and politicians aside theres the envi- ronment the Earth which is an incredibly political issue. So I really get worried when shamanic practitioners tell me with a perfectly straight face that politics doesnt matter the Earth will survive. As if surviving is enough. I look at them and say Listen the Earth is losing 100 species every daywhat about them Theyre not surviving. I want the Earth to thrive. So Im interested in trying to get shamanic folks to become more active. To be activists. Lenore Okay. I get it. Jonathan So maybe we could start at the beginningwhats your story How did you come to the path of shamanic activism Lenore Well I grew up in a religious family that was very sup- portive of the Civil Rights Movement. My father was a pastor who preached something called the social gospel applying Je- sus teachings to contemporary social issues not unlike Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My younger brother was adopted from the Menominee tribe so between the Civil Rights Movement and my awareness of my brothers ethnicity I was conscious of race and racism from a very early age. Now my parents religion didnt catch with me but their social values did. In my early teens I protested the war in Vietnam and was an early feminist and in the mid-1970s I became involved in radical politics. However as an artist I found party politics too constricting and went my own way remaining an independent activist and becoming a photojournalist and writer. Jonathan Early indications But how did you get from there to shamanism Lenore I had never considered myself spiritual but I carried deep wounds from my childhood and struggled with clinical depression for decades. In 1987 an animal spirit intervened and blessed me with a spontaneous healing. My depression was fin- ished overnight. What could I do but become spiritual One of my very first thoughts after gratitude was OhThis is whats been missing from the political work If I can receive such a miraculous healing personally why cant we have miracles of social healing too