Ecstatic Soul Retrieval: Shamanism and Psychotherapy

A guide to integrating ecstatic trance, soul retrieval, and psychotherapy to overcome emotional challenges and deepen your connection to all life on Mother Earth

• Describes the methodologies of ecstatic trance and psychotherapy, explaining how they can be integrated in a way that feels familiar and safe

• Illustrates five ecstatic postures for strengthening identity, uncovering the root of suffering, and aligning with a spirit guide

• Includes three in-depth case studies to illustrate how to override negative beliefs and habits and experience oneness with the Earth and all life

Sharing the wisdom of shamanic healing, Nicholas Brink creates an accessible link between psychotherapy and the ritualized use of ecstatic trance postures. He explains how ecstatic trance triggers the imagery that allows us to override negative beliefs and retrieve the lost innocence of the soul. He shows us how to broaden healing beyond the resolution of individual emotional and behavioral issues to create harmony in family, community, society, and the world around us.

Integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and dream analysis, the author provides a unique model for tapping into the universal mind in a way that feels familiar and safe. He illustrates five ecstatic postures for emotional and spiritual growth, moving from finding a place of relaxation in which to strengthen your sense of self to the soul retrieval experience, which leads to the death of dysfunctional beliefs and restoration of your original innocence. The author shows how spirit guides can support us as we achieve the spiritual consciousness of the shaman and recognize the interdependence of all cultures and all living things on the planet.

Using three in-depth case studies, Brink demonstrates how these practices can be used to resolve common psychological issues such as agoraphobia, panic attacks, irrational anger, mood swings, obsessive behaviors, and control issues. Allowing you to find your inner shaman--your ability to heal yourself and, in turn, to contribute to the healing of all life on our planet--ecstatic soul retrieval helps you overcome emotional and behavioral problems, override negative beliefs, and experience oneness with all life on Mother Earth.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction to Ecstatic Trance in the Therapeutic Setting

2 Adapting Ecstatic Trance to Psychotherapy

3 Finding Fulfillment Within A Case Study of Panic Attacks and Dissociation

4 Transforming Anger to Transform Relationships A Case Study of Control Issues and Insecurity

5 Balancing Freedom and Responsibility A Case Study of Infidelity and Feeling Empty

Epilogue

Appendix

About Ecstatic Trance

Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the Author :
Nicholas E. Brink, Ph.D., is a psychologist and a certified teacher of ecstatic trance with the Cuyamungue Institute. Board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology, he is the author of several books, including The Power of Ecstatic Trance and Baldr’s Magic. He lives in Coburn, Pennsylvania.

Review :
“In Ecstatic Soul Retrieval ancient spiritual channels are opened so the inherent healing wisdom of the body comes alive--in a modern clinical setting. Upon being guided into expanded states of consciousness, clients transform core negative and limiting beliefs to create a more connected and Earth-honoring life. You will be inspired as you read this book. Brink’s use of ecstatic trance in psychotherapy is as natural and replicable as it is brilliant.” “Drawing upon his prior work with the use of ancient shamanic postures and drumming to produce ecstatic trance where stories come forward, Brink shows how these techniques facilitate the healing process in a wide variety of clinical situations. The richness of this book comes from this bridging of shamanic and psychotherapy practices and, perhaps even more, from the fountain of illustrative stories he presents.” “By incorporating various physical postures to enhance particular types of shamanic journeying/trance work, Brink extends the boundaries of the mind-body connection. His detailed case histories show how powerful this work can be in helping clients get ‘unstuck.’ By learning to access their own imagination and to draw from the richness of archetype in the collective unconscious, Brink’s clients discover ways to create better, more resourceful life stories, replacing old, tired, impoverished ones. Thank you, Nick, for this valuable guide to an integrative and inclusive approach to hypnosis and ancient shamanic practices!” “Ecstatic Soul Retrieval will be invaluable for all students of the ecstatic trance postures who are interested in the psychological impact of the method. The case studies in Nick’s book provide us with a wide array of material to help us understand how to use the trance postures in the field of therapy. This book will be of great help in teaching more people about the healing power of the ecstatic trance postures.” "Brink explains how Shamanism and Psychotherapy combine to help the client. He further explains and gives examples of how this process is used in three different clinical cases. He uses Shamanism to show the interdependency of all cultures to heal societies and individuals…This is a wonderful book that is very helpful for anyone who works with Imagery, hypnotherapy or psychotherapy. You will gain practical valuable tools to use with your clients."