One day, my mentor forwarded me an email about a soul retrieval session that needed volunteer participants. At first, I had no clue what soul retrieval was all about. However, as I delved deeper into the process, I learned that shamanic soul retrieval is a traditional healing practice deeply rooted in various indigenous cultures, especially those with shamanic traditions. It’s based on the belief that parts of a person’s soul can become fragmented and lost due to traumatic experiences or intense emotional distress. A shaman or healer, acting as a bridge between the spiritual and physical worlds, embarks on a journey to retrieve these lost soul fragments. This process aims to restore wholeness, balance, and vitality to the individual, addressing the root cause of various emotional, physical, and spiritual issues. Soul retrieval often involves rituals, ceremonies, and guided meditations designed to reintegrate the reclaimed soul parts and promote holistic healing.

Jacob was my healer for the session. He began with a brief introduction about what to expect. Jacob, however, was not what I anticipated. I’m not sure what I expected, but Jacob looked like someone who might work in IT rather than a healer. Yet, during the session, he transformed in a way I hadn’t imagined. In our 120-minute session, Jacob drummed, rattled, and sang shamanic hymns while I meditated. When I opened my eyes, I saw Jacob in a total trance.

As for me, the shamanic drumming transported me to Native American lands. In my vision, I became a man in need of healing, sitting with a Native American chief who was tending to parts of me that required attention. I remember the silhouettes of feet outside my tent and the fire in front of me. My tent resembled a teepee, with stars visible through the top and smoke from the fire escaping. In the distance, I could hear the chief singing healing hymns. Suddenly, my vision shifted, and I became a condor, soaring among mountain peaks, feeling the wind beneath my wings. My vision concluded with the Native American chief handing me a condor feather and leaving me with a message: “You are ready to soar.”

When the session ended, Jacob and I had very different interpretations of the journey we had taken. Jacob had successfully pieced together parts of my soul that had been missing for a long time. He advised me to pay closer attention to my adolescent self, which I had indeed neglected. In most of my healing work, I had focused on my inner child, completely overlooking my teenage years. Jacob’s insights gave me much to reflect on.

This session provided me with the opportunity to revisit the neglected parts of myself. Our combined visions offered profound insights into my next steps on my healing journey. I had a vague idea of what I needed to do next, but this session clarified my path forward.