If you understand only the words intention and trust, you understand the key to shamanic healing. When one does a soul retrieval, it is essential to have a crystal-clear intention: What is the mission you are trying to accomplish? Likewise, it is critical to trust that you will get the spiritual assistance you need.
In shamanism (as well as with other forms of healing) it is not the shaman who does the work. Shamans are just the instruments through which the power of the universe works. Therefore, asking the spirits for help and trusting that they will be there is the basis of the shaman's responsibilities. Remember, an instrument cannot play itself.
from Sandra Ingerman, Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self (San Francisco: Harper, 1991), p. 63.
She said: "Know and be certain in your heart that I am the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of Great Truth, Teotl, of the One through Whom We Live, the Creator of Persons, the Owner of What is Near and Together, of the Lord of Heaven and Earth."
"I very much want and ardently desire that my hermitage be erected in this place. In it I will show and give to all people all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection, because I am your merciful mother and the mother of all the nations that live on this earth who would love me, who would speak with me, who would search for me, and who would place their confidences in me. There will I hear their laments and remedy and cure all their miseries, misfortunes, and sorrows." (verses 22-25)
"Listen, know well in your heart that there are not a few of my servants and messengers to whom I could give the mandate of taking my thought and my word so that my will may be accomplished. But it is absolutely necessary that you personally go and speak about this, and that precisely through your mediation and help, my wish and my desire be realized." (verse 42)
"Listen and hear well in your heart: that which scares you and troubles you is nothing; do not let your countenance and heart be troubled; do not fear that sickness or any other sickness or anxiety. Am I not here, your mother? Are you not under my shadow and my protection? Am I not your source of life? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle where I cross my arms? What else do you need? Let nothing trouble you or cause you sorrow. Do not worry because of your uncle's sickness. He will not die of his present sickness. Be assured in your heart that he is already healed." (verses 75-77)
from the Nican Mopohua, as translated from the Spanish of Siller Acuña by Virgil Elizondo in Guadalupe: Mother of the New Creation (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1977), pp. 5-22 for the whole text.
from Jeanette Rodriguez, Our Lady of Guadalupe: Faith and Empowerment Among Mexican-American Women (Austin, TX: UT Press, 1994).
As planned by Cindy Tincher.
In much the same way that Juan Diego walked up the hill,
noticing the sounds of the birds singing in the dead of winter,
then noticing the bright light at the hilltop as he climbed,
take time to notice where your journey takes you
as you leave ordinary reality to meet with your Teacher or Guide(s)
to hear what they have to say about where your path lies,
or hear what they want you to know or learn,
or what insights or foresights they want to impart to you.
It could be that, like the Virgin,
your Guide may have something you need to hear, understand, or learn --
Or it may be that there is something you need to do,
some steps you need to take on your lifepath,
to initiate change or healing in this reality.
This can be an upper, middle, or lower world journey--
either straight from the realm of your teacher,
or in a middle world time or place,
or in the lower world realm of your power animal.
Seek clarity on the steps you have to take
to bring this learning or knowledge,
this wisdom or insight
into this reality,
the life and ordinary reality you are living right now.
These steps are much like the steps Juan Diego took for the Virgin,
which were actual steps (to the Bishop's palace)
and spiritual steps (trusting in Her words and Her miracles).
In walking and dancing & drumming,
act out making those steps towards
actualizing your miracle.
Bring your vision from non-ordinary
(or extraordinary) reality
to this one.
Be mindful of each step
as a step,
and then another,
and then another...
towards healing or transformation --
towards actualization of the miracle.
Each step brings you closer to the miracle.
Each step brings the miracle into this plane
as you carry it home.