"Discovering shamanism
has been the single most
remarkable and magical
thing in my life so far;
and I have had a fairly interesting life."
Zoë Brân (pronounced Brahn) is a Core Shamanic practitioner, writer and educator. Zoë was born in South Wales and her early life and education were in the beautiful Wye Valley. Her earliest professional post was working for the Wye Valley Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty as a writer. Chair of the Health Education Group of The Terrence Higgins Trust and a member of the Trust’s Steering committee from 1987-1989, Zoë was the first woman in Britain to be involved in managing a national AIDS organisation. Her groundbreaking PhD explored the relationship between society, culture and HIV disease. As a writer of travel literature and journalism she travelled extensively, focussing her work on troubled areas of the world such as Burma, Bosnia and most recently, Cuba. Zoë has also worked in education as a university lecturer in Writing and Creative Thinking and is a former Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and Writer in Residence at the University of the Arts, London.Since the late 80’s, Zoë has been involved with public speaking and media on topics as diverse as AIDS, sexual behaviour, Slovenia and shamanism. She has appeared on BBC TV and national and local radio, including ‘Panorama’ and ‘Woman’s Hour’ and her shamanic work has been filmed and written about. Zoë lives in London with her lurcher, Arlu.
PROFESSIONAL SHAMANIC EXPERIENCE
How I Work
For me, shamanism is a way of life, a spiritual awareness but also a technology, that affects and effects my everyday existence. My relationships with my spirit heIpers is central to who I am and how I am in the world. I bring this way of being to my work with others, both one-to-one and in groups.
Training
I was introduced to Core Shamanism (aka Harner Method Core Shamanism) in 1998 and trained in shamanic practice with Jonathan Horwitz M.A., Director of the Centre for Shamanic Studies, (formerly the Scandinavian Centre for Shamanic Studies)
and with other notable British and North American teachers, incuding Caitlin Matthews and Myron Eschowsky. This training, which took place during many years, and is ongoing, included working with the concepts of spirit, healing, problem-solving and power.I was trained to work with discipline and focus and this included learning to accept my personal spirit helpers as the most important teachers on my shamanic path. This was an invaluable lesson and one I pass on to my own students and clients today.
My current research interests include shamanism in relation to death and dying; the location of consciousness; and the functioning of the brain during spiritual experience - what has been called ‘the emerging physics of consciousness’. I also have particular interests in shamanism and creativity and work with creative professionals from a range of areas, including photography, writing, music and singing.
Teaching and Lecturing
My work includes giving lectures, seminars and workshops on a range of shamanism-focussed subjects, including: Landscape and Ecology, Sex and Gender, Death, Creativity, Time and Age, Soul Retrieval and many more. I have been a speaker, teacher and presenter at conferences, academic institutions, charitable organisations, companies and businesses, some are listed below:
My current research interests include shamanism in relation to death and dying; the location of consciousness; and the functioning of the brain during spiritual experience - what has been called ‘the emerging physics of consciousness’. I also have particular interests in shamanism and creativity and work with creative professionals from a range of areas, including photography, writing, music and singing.
Teaching and Lecturing
My work includes giving lectures, seminars and workshops on a range of shamanism-focussed subjects, including: Landscape and Ecology, Sex and Gender, Death, Creativity, Time and Age, Soul Retrieval and many more. I have been a speaker, teacher and presenter at conferences, academic institutions, charitable organisations, companies and businesses, some are listed below:
The London Lighthouse 2004...............................Cambridge University 2007
The Open Centre, London 2008-2010......................SSP UK Conference 2008
Naturally, Writing Heals Conference 2008................The London Open Drumming Group 2008
Kent University (private conference) 2009................thinkpublic Ltd. 2009
The Nutricentre, The Hale Clinic, London 2010..........Science and Medical Network (Lndn Grp) 2010
Middlesex University Summer School 2010..........,,,,,,Christ Church University, Kent, 2010
See EVENTS for detailed information of upcoming Lectures and Speaking Engagements and Teaching at The Open Centre, London.
NEW PROJECTS
I'm currently developing a shamanic training programme for performers in conjunction with an opera singer and an actor, to commence in Spring 2011 and am currently writing a proposal for a book on the de-mystification of shamanism. Since 2009 Shaman UK has worked increasingly with business and organisations to bring spirit into the work environment for enhanced individual and group well-being and creativity and this is a particular interest of mine.
INSURANCE and SUPERVISION
I have peer supervision of my client practice and am fully insured as a shamanic counsellor and healer, a group/workshop leader, a yoga/meditation instructor and as a mentor/coach.
MEMBERSHIP OF ORGANISATIONS
I am a member of The Society of Shamanic Practitioners, the Core Shamanic Practitioners Circle UK, The London Open Drumming Group, The Scientific and Medical Network, English PEN and The Society of Authors.
NEW PROJECTS
I'm currently developing a shamanic training programme for performers in conjunction with an opera singer and an actor, to commence in Spring 2011 and am currently writing a proposal for a book on the de-mystification of shamanism. Since 2009 Shaman UK has worked increasingly with business and organisations to bring spirit into the work environment for enhanced individual and group well-being and creativity and this is a particular interest of mine.
INSURANCE and SUPERVISION
I have peer supervision of my client practice and am fully insured as a shamanic counsellor and healer, a group/workshop leader, a yoga/meditation instructor and as a mentor/coach.
MEMBERSHIP OF ORGANISATIONS
I am a member of The Society of Shamanic Practitioners, the Core Shamanic Practitioners Circle UK, The London Open Drumming Group, The Scientific and Medical Network, English PEN and The Society of Authors.
