Wakan-Nierica Community Events:
Monthly Marin Drumming/Prayer Circles, Equinox & Solstice Shamanic Retreats, Vision Quests, Center for Attitudinal Healing events,...

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MERRY VALLEY VISION QUEST with tomás SEPTEMBER 15-20, 2008

Hola Compadres--got back yesterday (Sept. 30,2007) from quest filled with gratitude for many gifts of grace. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Six of us back packed into a magical canyon. It is an absolutely incredible valley with easier entry but no less spectacular than the Sweet Medicine Valley I have been going to for so many years. Surrounded by towering granite cliffs, a creek running through a granite channel filled with pools to wade in and some deep enough to swim in, trout swimming to and fro, mother bear walking bye with cub, eagle and hawk and falcon overhead, just magnificent, and filled with many great sites for individual questing.

With a a shorter and easier hike in it opens up the doorway for me to continue doing the quests as my body ages for a longer period of time than the previous site would have allowed for. It opens up the opportunity for others of you to go on quest with me without having to climb over a mountain as was necessary with the previous site as well.

The major part of the medicine for me, besides taking in the power and beauty and teachings of the site, had to do with taking me deeper, with dreams and insight, into the work I initiated with my presentation on "A New Vision of Conscious Aging" just before departing on quest.

I gained deeper understanding of the Five Developmental Tasks for Conscious Aging that I spoke about that night which I will be sharing through future workshops, retreats and individual Life Enrichment Coaching. Give me a ring if you are interested in hearing more about it and weren't able to make to the presentation.

Blessings to you all from the Heart of the Sierra and my heart to yours'.

Love, tom·s

My Quest experience with Tom Pinkson - testimonials:

Tom is a very rare and unique person. His skill comes from his blend of being his Western self, with his life long pursuit and study of the indigenous soul.

Tom's personal experiences and life challenges give him a capability to guide the Quest experience as a shaman who has personally walked the inner and outer landscape for over 30 years. And so Tom's gift is that of guidance and protection, I feel safe to do my work knowing he is my ally.

Part of the Quest experience is to intentionally put oneself in physically challenging situations, using fasting and solo time to create a deeper personal connection to the world that surrounds us. A world that we often don't notice much in our busy lives. But this natural world is our true home, and I feel renewed and back in alignment with myself from this deeper connection.

The medicine that came to me from the Quest is that, "I am a Sacred Being, This is a Sacred Place, and this Now is a Scared Moment." For me the only appropriate response to this truth is gratitude, and what might it be like if I lived my whole life from the truth of Gratitude...

Rick K. 54, Body Worker

- - -

Before you even depart on the quest, Tom offers a focused stream of affirmations to bring your attention to your quest. Nature is a powerful place to believer and heathen alike, and the rituals and rites of a natural shaman respecting the earth and sky greatly reinforce that mystery.

If you are in a place of distraction, resistance or confusion, this experience erodes neuroses and builds soul connection to powers greater than oneself.

Mark C. 40, Author and Graphics Designer

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I feel very lucky to have spent time with Tomas on six of the previous quests. ŬThe vision quest experience gives me the opportunity to take a moment to step back from the canvas called My Life, assess where I am, and get a sense of where I need to go next. ŬI have found Tomas to be a strong leader, a deeply untuitive man, a sweet soul brother and a wonderful teacher. Ŭ

If something in your heart is calling you to seek a vision for your life then this is the way to go.

Mark S. Miller, Ph.D. Midlothian, Virginia

Phone Tom  415-453-1447
for more information.
Happy Trails. Tomás

BEAR VALLEY VISION QUEST with tomás SEPTEMBER 24TH-29TH

The Great Spirit is bringing me back to this beautiful valley for the first time since 1973 when Steven Foster and I led a group there for a week long quest.  

On the fourth night of fasting I had a sacred Big Dream that changed my life (which you can read about in my book, “FLOWERS OF WIRICUTA”.  Now as an older man I return once again to see what medicine this place of great power holds for me at this time in my life.  

If you are seeking spiritual adventure, in a setting of great physical beauty and medicine power, to reconnect with your soul and your Life Dream, this might be just the right journey for you.  We will backpack in on Monday and return on Saturday.  

If you are feeling the call, give me a email buzz and I can fill you in with more depth about this ancient way that humanity has used throughout the world to open to the wisdom of nature, our own nature and the source from which all comes.  

Happy Trails. Tomás

Phone Tom  415-453-1447
for more information.

QUEST FOR VISION RETREATS w/ Dr. Tom Pinkson Sept. 2007

CHANGED - see Bear Valley journey above

"Teach me to walk the soft earth as a relative to all that live.
Sweeten my heart and fill me with light. Give me the strength
to understand and the eyes to see..." Black Elk

Purpose
To purposively seek guidance, healing and empowerment for your life path from the "Powers of the Universe" through ancient, wisdom attunement-practices that bring vision, insight, understanding, and renewal.

Process
Explore your own nature, in nature, experiencing the innate wisdom of a natural being in the natural world through solitary fasting in the high mountains. We hike and climb into a magical secluded valley spending time together in preparation working with ancient shamanic “Medicine Ways” including prayer, the Give-Away Ceremony, sacred song, sound and movement, meditation with the Seven Powers of the Medicine Wheel, totem animals and entering the Silence with receptivity, respect and attention.

These practices help us learn how to “see”, “hear” and learn how nature “talks” and teaches the patterns by which she works. Thus we come to know that we are not “alone” and that we can access a power greater than our own to succeed in life.

We spend time together after the individual quest working as a group with the important dynamics of incorporation and integration. Quests are usually 4 to 7 days long, but can be arranged to suit individual or group needs. Participants supply own food and equipment.

The quest is a rite of passage with four stages – the Call, Severance, Threshold Work with the “threshing forces” of solitude, emptiness, hunger, fear, boredom, and vulnerability to the elements, and finally the challenges of Return, Integration and Rebirth.

Guide -- Dr. Tom Pinkson is a transpersonal psychologist in San Rafael, California, a Clinical Consultant with the Center for Attitudinal Healing working with children, families and adults facing life threatening illness, and founder of the shamanic Wakan Community. He’s been leading Wilderness Quests for Vision, retreats, and pilgrimages to places of power around the world for over thirty five years.

Tom completed an eleven year apprenticeship with Huichol shamans in Mexico with whom he has been working with since 1981. He has also worked with shamans in the Peruvian Amazon and the Andes Mountains, in Bali, and with Native American Elders through out the United States. He authored numerous books including: A Quest for Vision, Do They Celebrate Christmas In Heaven?, Flowers of Wiricuta, and Musings from the Deer Spirit, numerous articles, audio and video tapes, and has appeared on international radio and TV. Tom’s integration of shamanic ways and attitudinal healing enable people to find their heart path and to access the power to walk it to completion through the acts of their daily lives.

Next Quest: Sept. 3-8th, 2007 in the Yosemite.

Contribution: $625. Non-refundable deposit of $325 reserves your “seat on the bus”. Rest due August 1st.

Phone Tom  415-453-1447
for more information.

EXPERIENCE A CONVERGENCE OF LINEAGES, MAYA, HUICHOL, AND MAZATEC.

WE GATHER OURSELVES BECAUSE OUR ELDERS ARE ASKING THIS OF US.  WE INVITE YOU TO THIS SPECIAL GATHERING.

LEARN AND CELEBRATE IN ONE OF THE GREATEST CEREMONIAL CENTERS OF THE MAYA, TIKAL.  LOCATED IN ONE OF THREE GREAT AREAS OF BIODIVERSITY LEFT ON THE PLANET, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A DEEP ENERGY TRANSMISSION.  TEACHINGS ON THE MAYAN CALENDAR, POWER PLANTS AND THE NATURE OF REALITY, ASTRONOMY, TRADITIONAL NATIVE MEDICINE, AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE FUTURE.

CEREMONY IN THE PYRAMIDS.  A ONCE IN A LIFETIME GATHERING.

SMALL GROUP ONLY.

YOUR GUIDES,  CAMILA MARTINEZ, MAZATEC TRADITION, CURANDERA, HAS DIRECTED SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS WITH THE MAYA FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS,  AND LIVED AND WORKED WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN MEXICO FOR OVER 30 YEARS, DON FRANCISCO, TRADITIONAL NATIVE PLANT MASTER AND MAYAN CALENDAR MAESTRO, AND DR. TOM PINKSON, HUICHOL TRADITION,  PSYCHOLOGIST AND MARA’AKAME.

$3000 – INCLUDES LODGING, GROUND TRANSPORTATION,  TWO MEALS A DAY AND CLASSES.

AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED.  WE WILL FLY INTO BELIZE CITY, BELIZE AND ONTO FLORES, GUATEMALA.

WE WILL STAY IN THE JUNGLE VERY CLOSE TO THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE.  EXCELLENT FOOD AND FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS CONTACT:     
PLEASE CONTACT BY EMAIL INSTEAD OF PHONE.

ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY APRIL 19, 2007 WITH A 50% NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.  50% BALANCE DUE MAY 19, 2007.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN THIS REMARKABLE GATHERING OF WISDOM WAYS OF TRADITIONAL LINEAGES.

Health, Healing and Spirituality
Napa Community Retreat Feb. 10

Tom·s is the Key note speaker ("Health, Healing and Spirituality") and workshop leader ("Practical Spirituality") at Napa Community Retreat Feb. 10th at Napa Valley, CA.

SAVE THE DATE -- SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2006
MARIN PREMIER INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY CELEBRATION
at the Marin Civic Center Showcase Theatre

HOLA RELATIVES--CHECK OUT THIS WEB SITE AT www.marindayofpeace.com/who.html

I WILL BE DOING THE OPENING BLESSING FOR THIS EVENT AT THE MARIN CIVIC CENTER SHOWCASE THEATRE, CELEBRATING THE UN'S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE. MY DAUGHTER KIMBERLY IS ONE OF THE PRODUCERS. THERE ARE GUEST SPEAKERS, MUSIC, DANCE and CELEBRATION.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the UN Resolution for “Peace One Day” and the event joins citizens in over 196 participating countries working for a global cease fire. It also includes youth representatives from Marin County schools presenting their work from the "Visions of Peace" Challenge promoting their visions of a more peaceful tomorrow (see more about this at the beautifully done web site).

Tickets are on sale now and are pretty limited so please purchase early. www.marindayofpeace.com. I hope to see a lot of Wakanistas there, adding to the power of hope and faith working for peace around the world.

Marin Civic Center Showcase Theater 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94901

6:00 ˆ 6:45 p.m. Vision of Peace Challenge Exhibition (no charge, open To all)

6:45 ˆ 7:00 p.m. Circle of Peace in Marin Center Courtyard (no charge, Open to all)

7:15 ˆ 10:00 pm. Guest Speakers, Vision of Peace Challenge Representatives and the music of Sarah Eden Davis (Tickets required)

Opening Blessing: Dr. Thomas Pinkson, Founder of Wakan and Consultant To Center For Attitudinal Healing

Guest Speaker: James O'Dea, President, Institute of Noetic Sciences

Celebration: Music of Sarah Eden Davis, whose consciously aware lyrics and passionate vocals bring messages of hope and visions of a better world, And Scott Huckabay, who, given a second chance in life, shares his music whole heartedly helping others find healing, joy and peace within themselves. Scott has performed with Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Sarah MaLachlan, Crosby, Stills & Nash and others.

Tickets: $10/students $20/adults Marin Center Box Office 415.499.6400. All proceeds go to sponsor international peace activities.

For additional information please contact kimberlypinkson@yahoo.com 415.246.7691

WAKAN FALL EQUINOX RETREAT
AT LAMANTOUR BEACH
SEPTEMBER ?? 12:30 MEETING TIME

HOLA RELATIVES--this is a reminder that we will be doing our Fall Equinox out at the beach this year on Saturday Sept. 23rd. We need to gather at the main parking lot at 12:30 so we can hike in together to the site. We will spend our time together in ceremony at Drakes Estero creating attunement with land and sea, with heart and soul, with ourselves, with each other, with the changing season and with the love of Great Spirit.

We will move into sacred space as we walk in silence together opening the doorway to deeper awareness with each step down the beach. Best to eat lunch beforehand as we will be fasting during the day before breaking fast together that evening around Grandfather Fire. Plan on returning late in the evening.

Here is what you'll need to bring:

1. sun protection for the day and warm clothing in case the fog comes in,.

2. food to share with others and plenty of water/juice.

3. a few pieces of wood to feed Grandfather.

4. colored yarn, feathers and thin stick to make ceremonial arrow.

5. Sacred objects for the altar

6. flashlight.

7. whatever instruments call to you to help celebrate our joining.

I hope to see many of you there as we celebrate together the shift from summer to fall and the wisdom the changing season brings to us. Gathering together is especially potent during times of challenge and seasonal change, so the opportunity to grow and utilize communal strength for healing and transformation is enormous. I look forward to sharing the fruits of the quest with you then.

Mucho amor, tomás

The Jaguar’s Path
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico and Tikal, Guatemala
2 weeks Nov. 8-21, 2006

Fly to Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Get there by flying to Cancun, or Mexico City first. Best connection is through Mexico City.

Day 1 (11-8) Overnite at an Ecological Resort in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, 30 minutes by car from the Chetumal airport. Bacalar is called the lagoon of seven shades of blue. It is a beautiful spot, and swimming is excellent off the dock or off the shore. Nice Cabañas, great food, and a beautiful meditation palapa. Kayaks available!!! Also a great place to get a healing massage to unwind and integrate into the energy field of southern
Quintana Roo.

Day 2 (11-9) Visit Chacchoben Archeological Site and swim in the amazing Blue Cenote. Overnite at the Ecological Resort.

Day 3 (11-10) See the lovely Mayan Museum in Chetumal. And have an introduction to the wild animals of the region. Overnite at the Ecological Resort.

Day 4 (11-11) Take off for the jungle. Visit Kohunlich archeological site. In ancient times this was a place of the arts and medicine . Meet with a revered Mayan healer. Spend the night on the Ecological Reserve of Tres Garantias. Sleep in hammocks deep in the lap of Mother Nature. No electricity.

Day 5 & 6 (11-12 & 13) Suspend time and delve into the magic of the natural energy cycle of the jungle. Learn about the biosphere from local elders. Walk the jungle trails among untouched Mayan ruins. Paint, write, draw. Night campfire.

Day 7 (11-14) Visit archeological sites enroute to and including Chicanna, a major medicine site. This area is little traveled by tourists and has some really interesting archeological sites, such as Xpujil. Spend the night at the Chicanna Eco-village.

Day 8 (11-15) Rise at 4 am, have early morning coffee, pick up your box lunch, and take off to see the fabulous Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the largest in Mexico. Since the wild animals move around a lot in the early morning hours, we will drive before daylight onto the reserve to catch the action. The Reserve is remote and takes awhile to drive to and from. On the reserve is the awesome archeological site of Calakmul. We will explore the site leisurely, and return to the Chicanna Eco-village for the night.

Day 9 (11-16) Return to Chetumal. Visit Dzibanche archeological site, or swim at a jungle spring. Overnite in Chetumal.

Day 10 (11-17) Leave for Tikal, Guatemala. Overnite in Flores, Guatemala.

Day 11 & 12 (11-18 & 19) Spend two days and nights in Tikal near the ruins.

Day 13 (11-20) Travel from Tikal to Flores, Guatemala, and catch the plane for Chetumal or Cancun.

Day 14 (11-21) Fly out from Mexico to the U.S.

Cost - $2600
Includes all accommodations, two meals a day, and all ground transportation. Does not include airfare and tips. 50% non-refundable deposit due on September 1, 2006. Remainder due on October 1, 2006.

Contact information: Camila Martinez
PO Box 751
Bolinas, CA 94924
(415) 868-0122 or (415) 868-0426
dakini@svn.net

A SPRING JOURNEY
Into the Heart of Mother Earth

Within the body of the Earth In a private Arkansas crystal mine, We will celebrate the Mother of us all.
Surrounded by potent energy, doing ceremony in a crystal matrix,
We will request Her permission to bring forth crystals
To use in our work in the world,
Reminding ourselves and others of the treasures that must be guarded
To sustain Life on Earth.

Preparing for our journey into the Earth, we’ll heal and cleanse body and spirit in nearby hot springs, clarifying our intention, and extending our gratitude.

June 2-June 6, 2006

The $1050 cost will cover food, camping and hotel accommodations, ground transportation in Arkansas, entrance into the mine, and one excursion to the hot springs. Flights to Arkansas and entrance into the hot springs will be covered by participants. 50% deposit due April 15, 2006. Small group only.

Join Camila Martinez and Ginny Anderson for five days, visiting major energy spots on and in the Earth.

Contact Camila Martinez, 415-868-0122, dakini@svn.net Or Ginny Anderson, 650-323-4494, freyjand@comcast.net

High Sierra Vision Quest Sept. 4-9th, 2006

"WHAT’S CALLED A VISION QUEST IS ACTUALLY A CALLING TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SACRED." Charlotte Black Elk.

Hola relatives--I recently got asked to do a quest retreat with a group of men and it reminded me about letting you know there are still a few openings for my annual fall High Sierra Quest Sept. 4-9th. This will be my 34th year of questing at this sacred site and if you want to join me, better get on it because I don't know how many more of these I will be able to do. Let me know if you are interested in more information about it. Here is a wonderful quote from the grand daughter of Black Elk about questing and pilgrimage.

"There is a place where your medicines are where you go to recharge your spiritual practice, to renew your vows to your vision and values. One?s spiritual relatives live there which are doorkeepers and helpers in your relationship with the Great Spirit."

Quests and pilgrimages to sacred places of power are part of the The Good Red Road, an indigenous spiritual path that emphasizes community and the great web of life. It is a way of life that encompasses ceremonies, myths, and totemic spirit guides/helpers, together forming a complex heritage and a deep spiritual force. A common thread is belief in the spiritual road that keeps individuals and their communities intimately connected to Mother Earth, to the Creator, to the sacred truth behind the illusion of separateness. The path of quest and pilgrimage has been a part of my life for a long time and it is a true joy to share it "con mis amigos".

Phone Tom  415-453-1447
for more information.

Join The 2nd Southwest Pilgrimage

CANCELED

April 23-30, 2006

To The Home Of Our Sandstone Ancestors

With Trout Black "Trucha" and Tom Pinkson "Tomas

Southern Utah   Millions of years of sand deposits -oceans, sand dunes, inland seas- pressure-packed into thousands of vertical feet of sandstone.

Tectonic forces slowly lifted the whole Colorado Plateau, while the waterways

-streams, flash floods, rivers- cut passages into the rising sandstone: meandering rivers became labyrinth canyons; short streams became slot canyons; ancient dunes eroded into miles of slickrock.

Ancient Peoples   Six thousand years ago archaic hunters and gatherers lived in these canyons.  One thousand years ago ancestral puebloans 

-"Anasazi and Fremont"- built homes and farms here.  The structures and the pictographs and petroglyphs they left touch us deeply.

Join Us Lean against sandstone and listen.  Explore slot canyons so narrow we can touch both sides with our fingertips.  Hike through river bottoms and look above at a sandstone arch.  Walk barefoot across rimrock dunes and carefully finger ancient stone chippings. Stand before the Shaman's Wall of ancient pictographs. Southern Utah is beautiful and sensuous; the ancients left an amazing record. This land and its human record are our teachers.

Trout knows and love Escalante and Southern Utah. Tomas leads our shamanic journey. They each have years of wilderness leadership and pilgrimage experience. Through group ceremony, questing time, and hikes to places of power to be with the Ancestors, Trout and Tomas invite deep listening, to the spirit of this land and to our deepest selves.

Car camping, so no backpack experience is required. If you can walk, this is your journey.

We gather in Southern Utah at dusk on Sunday, April 23, and conclude at dusk on Sunday April 30, 2006.  Your $625 contribution mailed to Trout Black, 328 Bayview St. San Rafael CA 94901 reserves your space. (Your food and car camping expenses will be additional.)

Phone Trout  415-459-7286
or Tom  415-453-1447
for more information.

Tomás interviewed Live on November 7 2005, 8pm pst

Part 2 of the radio interview series with "News for the Soul" radio. Tomás will speak on Vision Quest, Initiation, ritual of indigenous people and enlightenment the warrior way.

Hi Dr Tom! I really enjoyed our last interview and wanted to let you know you are now up on the schedule and being promoted on the front page of News for the Soul!
Nicole Whitney, Producer / Host, News for the Soul, Life Changing T V

www.newsforthesoul.com

Tomás interviewed Live on October 19 2005 at noon

Details comming. You should be able to tune in on radio or hear it via "webcast" using your computer and Internet browser. The interview will be available on the NewsForTheSoul website audio archives for you to check out and listen to later. Please tell all your friends to tune in and hear Tomás LIVE at noon on Wednesday October 19!!!

News for the Soul
Life Changing T V
www.newsforthesoul.com
www.LifeChangingTV.com

Tomás interviewed in Online San Francisco Chronicle - sfgate.com - Monday October 17 2005

Hola compadres-- just in case yer interested--

An interview with me will appear this coming Monday in the "Finding My Religion" column published in the online edition of the San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) that profiles people's spiritual lives.

in the words of the interviewer, David Miller --

"It's really unlike any religion column you'll find in a major newspaper. Each week I interview a different person from all walks of life, such as yourself, about the things that matter deeply to them -- their views on God, death and the meaning of life. Thanks again for doing the interview. I really enjoyed talking with you and hope to meet in person at some point."

Click here if you want to read the introduction to the column which explains it pretty well: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/02/01 /intromiller.DTL