In the 1970s, anthropologist Hank Wesselman was a graduate student working toward his doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkley, when he was brought into the world of the shaman. Wesselman was in the portion of Ethiopia known as the eastern African Great Rift Valley.
Now in 2010, Wesselman continues his work in Ethiopia and was recently part of a team of anthropologists who made an important discovery that may be the missing link between man and ape. His recent fieldwork in Ethiopia involved sites dated between 4 million and 6 million years old that have yielded the fossilized remains of humanity's earliest ancestors.
Wesselman's interest in indigenous spiritual traditions led to his undertaking a shamanic apprenticeship for the past 23 years. His experience has led to writing his autobiographical "Spiritwalker Trilogy," which concentrates an ongoing continuum of visionary experiences.
Wesselman will visit the Wood River Valley for a presentation, "Awakening to the Spirit World," on Friday, Aug. 13, from 7-9 p.m., at the Hailey Yoga Center. The cost is $25. Wesselman will continue his stay in the valley with a weekend workshop at the Hailey Yoga Center Aug. 14-15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"It's a workshop to explore the new spirituality that is coming into being in the Western world," said Wesselman. "People are leaving mainstream religions in droves and investigating new avenues of spirituality."
Wesselman will introduce the classic method of shamanic journeywork, which is an ancient form of meditation.
"We can gain increased access with the hidden levels of reality, awareness and experience to find connection with our spirit helpers and spirit teachers, those inner sources who are intimately connected with our life purpose," Wesselman said. " ... We will all experience the shamanic way of personal empowerment. We will also address the shamanic perspective on the classic causes of illness and the four levels of spiritual healing."
The paid-entry workshop will be presented by RU Intuit Healing and Shared Wisdom. For details, call 720-1463, e-mail ruruju2222@hotmail.com or visit www.SharedWisdom.com.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Hank Wesselman. Courtesy photo
