Shamanic practitioners are often more concerned with healing than fixing or curing. The word healing comes from the old English haelan, “to make whole.” It implies helping the person to discover meaning, harmony, and the highest degree of contentment possible. Wholeness is a feeling of integrity. A whole person is not shattered by disease or adversity.

Allopathic medicine is sometimes considered “heroic medicine.” Healing is seen as an endless series of battles; patients are winners or losers in a “war” against disease. By comparison, Shamanic practitioners practice compassionate healing. We view life as a series of endless opportunities for growth and healing.