Comparative Religion

I have enjoyed all the courses I have taken toward my ministerial degree at ULC Seminary. This course was splendid and right on target. I think this would be a much better world to live in, if more people, not just seminarians and theology students, would take more interest in all religions, not just their own. It is almost as if people are afraid. Afraid that they will somehow doubt their own religious beliefs. That they will be swept off their feet to some far away land of human and animal sacrifice...And that they will loose their souls in the process. So they never venture out of their safe, perfectly squared, perfectly insulated religion box. They sit and wait for someone to tell them what to believe, how to believe, when to believe. They tell them how to live. When to marry. How many kids to have and how to die.

How resourceful. Why look anywhere else?!

Ministers, Rabbi's, Mentors, and teachers do not have that privilege. Hiding our heads in the sand is not what we are suppose to do. In order to help others, we must know them, what they believe, what makes them tick, and what would they be willing to die for. That's right, DIE for. Many generations have died for their religious beliefs and heritage. Hebrews, Christians, Muslims, and the list goes on and on. So it must be important to their counselors, priest, ministers, and rabbi's as well.

Life is like an airplane. It is filled with people, from all walks of life and beliefs. All on the same airplane going to the same destination. The Flight Attendant is the poor soul, who tries desperately to get your attention before take-off. The all important "SURVIVAL INSTRUCTIONS" are given at this time. No one listens......too busy. The Flight Attendants are the ministers on these flight's of life. No one listens. But let there be a problem------and suddenly, everyone is looking for the Flight Attendant! They need help!

The plane is going to Heaven. To visit God and our old stomping grounds. It doesn't matter what seat you are in or if you are first class or coach. The destination is the same, eternal life with God. It has been said , "there are no atheist in foxholes". And believe me, there are no atheist on a plane in trouble. So it might be helpful to know a little about your neighbor, in the seat next to you.

I have always been interested in other religions. I was raised in the strict Roman Catholic Tradition. Jesus was Jewish. I love Jesus. I should know about His religion. It can only strengthen my love for Him. It can also help me to serve His people better. Mohamed is another central figure, I wanted to know more in depth. Buddhism, Druidism, Shamanism, all religions form the foundation for future generations. I needed to know. I needed to study, so I could serve God and be a good servant.

"Interfaith is a process where people committed to their respective religious and spiritual paths meet for the purpose of mutual understanding appreciation, and enrichment. Interfaith affirms the goodness of each person and supports the healing of our world." (Comparative Religion Course, lesson 2)

In my opinion, worship is the relationship between the of man and his Creator. Religion is a man made entity to guide this relationship. All religions seem to have the same goal, eternal life with the Creator.

"Mankind comes to me along many roads, and on whatever road a man approaches me, on that do I welcome him, for all roads are mine" (Bhagavad-Gita)

We must find similarities, such as:

Golden Rule - Buddhism: "Hurt not others in way you find hurtful" (Tripitaka, Udnana-varga 5.18)

Peace: Judaism: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace. (Talmud, Gittin 59b)

Seeking: we must search within ourselves for the spirit of God.

This course contains so much material that is valuable to learn and remember. It is a great reference volume for any minister's library. This course shows that yes there are differences but we must focus our attention on our common ground as well. Whether, we wear the Roman Collar, a Yamika or White Robes, it doesn't matter. We are the same in our souls.

One thing I am sure of, people cannot sit around and have themselves spoon fed their religious beliefs and never look any further. God is everywhere. It is an act of supreme laziness not to read and study other religions. There are people walking around, hating other beliefs and at the same time , no next to nothing, concerning their own faith. It is so easy to hide behind a label -- Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, etc. Hate and misunderstanding requires no effort. Love, understanding, tolerance requires allot of effort. It is our ministerial responsibility, to try and understand all of God"s children.

This course gives us this opportunity. I recommend it to everyone, minister or lay person. How can a person argue or defend a point of view, if you don't know what you are talking about? This course will give you the information you need to try and be a better child of the Creator.

Rev. Nitza Melgar

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Mystical Christianity

I chose this course as my first endeavor with the seminary. I believed at the time that it was a course that I already knew something about and it would be a bit easier for me to slide into my schedule and concentrate on. I was wrong. This class was everything that I did not expect and delivered more than I could have ever imagined.

In writing my final essay for this course there is only one thing that comes to mind as appropriate in summing up the course and everything I have learned from it. Free thought. Put simply this course gave me back my free thought. In the first few lessons I found myself doing something that I had not done in a long while. I was reading and came across a concept that would challenge the way I had viewed Christianity for my entire life. It was so simple yet so profound. Eve was not there when Adam was informed not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. Wait...what? I had to stop. In my mind I had an image of Adam and Eve both being told by the voice of God that they were not to eat from the tree. I immediately got up and grabbed my King James and thumbed through it for the particular passage. Sure enough she wasn't there. She doesn't show up until two passages later. It is never stated the God told her as well. This changed my entire view. One concept changed it all. What else was I remembering from child Bible books and Sunday school classes of years gone by? What else was etched in my memory that had been fed to me by others hands and not by my own knowledge and views? With that I started my in depth journey into Mystical Christianity.

I also took away a concept that opened up several new doors for me that I didn't even realize were there. It was like thinking I had reached the end of a hallway and someone saying “oh but look” and flipping on a switch to reveal thousands of miles of doorways and obstacles. The concept was yet again a simple one. The concept is that we are both, male and female, created as a mirroring image of the divine. It made total sense to me. If we are created in God's image then would he not have to have a feminine side in order to create the female image. The female image of self.

There are many more concepts that I took from, revisited to, and expanding my knowledge of during this course. Reincarnation, Spirituality and Sexuality, and of course Mary Magdalene were just a few. This course, for me, was a perfect starting point. It renewed my sense of self, free thought, and connection as a creation of the divine. It was what I needed on so many ways and I am so thankful for it.

I look forward to further classes and obtaining my goals with the seminary. Mystical Christianity only secured my path and goals.

Megan Coogle

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Metaphysical Healing

I found this course to be very informative and enlightening. As a nurse, I inherently

feel that God has blessed me as a healer, and called me to ministry of healing. The author

of this course describe that many of the tribal healers had experienced a major illness, and

then received the calling as a healer. The tribal healers often tested the new healer in

training, to ensure that they would be true to their calling. One of the major themes I was

impressed with throughout most of the course was that Spiritual Healer must work using

integrity and honesty. The last lesson ended with an oath, I found this very impressive.

Metaphysical healing, is a form of healing that the mainstream medical society may not fully

understand, but it is beneficial to many.

In one of the lessons, the author described that the participant of the healing session, did

not have to believe in the healing. This was fascinating to me. I have a core belief that healing

requires faith, it is the faith of the healer and the person seeking healing that interacts and

with Gods power and produces the healing power. To me it requires a certain amount of faith

for one to even seek spiritual healing. When Jesus healed many one of the questions he

frequently asked was “Do you believe”. It is difficult for me to comprehend, that the clients

faith does not affect the healing process. Though it is a powerful thought to think that I could

heal someone whether they believed me or not. I know that Jesus did heal some that did not

believe, and there faith was strengthened as a result.

The author of the course also discussed aura's. There are aura's around individuals,

with dis-ease an individuals aura is interrupted. Part of the healers job is to recognize that

these aura's exist,and to smooth entry ways of dis-ease in the client. The function of the

medical intuitive was also discussed in this chapter. A medical intuitive, is able to see right

into the body and locate those areas that need attention. It is important to ask for permission,

from the persons higher self. As the healer takes the journey through the clients body, using

visualization and meditative techniques, the diseased parts are identified. All of these

techniques, involved using the part of the human that connects with our God self. It is the

higher self of an individual. Traditional healers tune in or participate in active communion

with God. Witch doctors practice witchcraft and there are differences. As for me God is

an essential component in the healing process. He guides me to the affected areas and allows

me to be used as a vessel of healing. I choose not to get away from this point. He gets all the

glory for the healing, for the healer is just a vessel. Since the healing process is a spiritual

process, if there is a client that you do not feel comfortable with you should not participate

in the healing process. Witchcraft exists, there are good and evil spirits, and as healers we

must be sensitive to the spiritual world. Part of being a healer of integrity is not dabbling in

occult type practices. Willfully participating in ritual practices that could harm another, could

open up spiritual doors. One of the items discussed in the lessons was about absent healings,

there are times when the healer does not have to be present for the healing process to occur.

This truth can be very beneficial to the healer,in providing healing at any point for the client.

Which justifies my ideas about healing and the healing process of individuals. Healing is

on such a higher frequency than Western medicine presents. A healer also has to be in tune

to the spiritual world. Healing requires the mind to be in a positive state, and This requires preparation of the mind. Positive affirmation, positive thinking, meditations, visualizations, along with spiritual practices all are the basis of preparing the client for healing. The words we

speak to our clients are of utmost importance. As healers our words are powerful and provide a

visual field that fosters healing. Keeping that statement in mind, we must ensure that our words are wisely spoken, and foster a positive environment for the client's healing process to occur.

Most of the theme of the lesson was that we as healers, must recognize the importance

of our work. We must also foster a sense of confidence and professionalism for our clients.

All of this will legitimize our practice, a dream of the author. I was thrilled to see in part of the last lesson that in South Africa the mainstream of the healing arts were recognizing the traditional healer. This gives one hope that the medical society will recognize that healing of an individual comes in many forms. It is a spirtiual journey to healing, our creator designed us to self heal. The ancients recognized this fact, and passed this on from one generation to the next. Traditional healing practices should complement modern madicine and does not have to compete with the modalities of modern medicine.The types of healing modalities the client chooes should be a personal choice , encouraged and respected by all health care professionals.

In conclusion, I found this course to open my mind up to a new thought process. As a

nurse, from the western traditional medicine scene, and with the interest in nontraditional medicine, this course help me understand how to intertwine both to aid in the healing of the whole person. To treat the healing practice as a gift from God and to work with integrity and professionalism. The author did a great job in presenting the information each week. I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I know that in the treatment of my patients I can complement both the traditional and non-traditional modalities to treat the whole person. One of the last lessons of the course ended with with an oath for the healer to take I found this to be very exciting. I really agree with the author of this course that as healers we work with truth and intergrity, and eanding with an oath holds us accountable to our calling. This course was very inspiring and I do not think that there is anything different that I would recommend.

All work cited from this paper is a summarization from the material presented in this course.

Rev. Linda Muhammad

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

A Course in Miracles

This course is based on A Course In Miracles.

The Dr. of Metaphysics Program was an awe inspiring class. I experienced a tremendous spiritual growth spurt through the education of ego and illusion.

First, lesson 2 “Thinking from the Ego”, discussed the difference between an over-inflated vs. an under-inflated ego. Guilt, loneliness, and fear are all results from thinking from the ego. Those who think from an under-inflated ego blame their past, their culture, and the environment for their circumstances. They expect to be compensated for the perceived wrong. By shifting ones thought process away from the ego we begin to see the commonalities with those around us rather than the differentness.

Lesson 12 “Letting Go of All Illusions” was phenomenal. This lesson made the connectedness between ego and illusion. We have an illusion of judgment, limiting beliefs, guilt, unworthiness, being right, doubt, being insulted, etc… The biggest illusion though is fear. Our ego plays off of fear.

There is a plethora of Bible verses dealing with fear. If we trust in God’s word, fear should not enter our conscious or subconscious mind.

“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Matthew 8:26

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“When I am afraid, I will pout my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

Guilt is another illusion that ego plays off of. This is how we hold on to the illusion of the past. We feel guilty for a past transgression or failure. Yet, the Bible is clear that forgiveness is ours.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

By incorporating the lessons on illusions and ego into my life I was able to release an enormous amount of stress from life. The knowledge that fear is an illusion made countless worries vanish! Worrying whether someone likes you, if your friend is mad at you or even whether your boss values your ideas are all fears based on illusions. At even given moment in your life at least 25% of the people who know you do not like you. The majority of these people will not change their mind about you, and there is nothing you can do. It is THEIR problem. Wanting everyone to like you and no one to be mad at you are egotistical musings.

While there are things to be fearful of, most of our everyday fears are based on an illusion. We see failures and disasters where none exist, except in our minds.

I read a statistic that said that 80% of Christians today are oppressed by a spirit of fear. People have a fear of rejection that keeps them from entering into relationships. Not because the person has rejected them…because they fear that they will be rejected. Isaiah 41:10 says ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous hand.”

Surely, a valuable lesson. Fear is an illusion that cripples us. Our ego feeds off of this. Identifying this truth should allow us to overcome it.

Thank you Loretta for an AWESOME class.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wiccan Studies

It has taken me a while after completing this very interesting course to compose my thoughts about the content, in large part because of the very personal approach of the author. His asides were inserted at points where he felt emphasis was needed, but were stated in such a way as to make them memorable. One instance was his explanation of the history of witch craft and the beginnings of Wicca as a religion, where he devoted a paragraph to Sybil Leek. He very respectfully referred to her passing, “She was born into the Summerlands in 1982, from her home in Florida .” What a beautiful sentiment, and exactly in keeping with the Wiccan belief in reincarnation.

I was both pleased and surprised to note that he took the path of the Wiccan in that he stated “The Law of Three” was to be considered an integral part of practice as a Wiccan. The growing numbers of neo-pagans and eclectic Wiccans have declined to accept the three-fold return of what is sent out. He stressed responsibility both in the Law and in his discussion of the “Wiccan Rede.” These points were obviously very important to the author, as they are to me as an individual Wiccan.

Re-addressing ethics just prior to spell craft was another example of this instructor’s belief in responsible practice as a Wiccan. Some individuals would have left this chapter out all together, yet he took the time to re-emphasize the need for doing what is right.

Given all 24 dissertations, I would have to commend the most highly the self-dedication. While brief, it was right to the point and beautifully written.

Many of the references he employed seemed to indicate either Alexandrian or Gardnerian background, although it could have been nearly any Wiccan tradition. His approach was generic, without being vague. I wish I could have corresponded with him.

By Kristine Dice

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Spiritualism

In the beginning Man and God, by most accounts, were on a first name basis.

Then, Man began to explore the world, and soon there was THOUGHT. The first thought was good, but it led to another, and another, until finally Man had invented a NEW God.

And so it has gone over the millennia. Every few generations God is re-invented so that God will fit Man’s paradigm of what God should be.

You may well ask, “Where did this heretical woman get her blasphemous ideas!”

My ideas have come from many places, most recently the Universal Life Church Seminary course “Spiritualism.”

Religious practices of pre-history were based on empiric observations by people who depended in large part on their skills as hunter-gatherers. Their God/s images revolved around the hunt and fertility of the land.

As civilization spread, Man had the leisure to pursue higher thought, and philosophy emerged, changed, changed again, and evolved into formalized religious beliefs.

The advent of scientific investigation began to alter philosophy, turning thought away from empiricism toward reason and scientific observation of reproducible data. These data lead to physical laws, mathematics and facts being the basis for beliefs. Thus began the decline of mysticism, astrology and empiricism.

Thankfully, the pendulum never stops moving, and the writings by early philosophers remain in the world, and are still read by many.

The teachings of Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, the Cynics and Stoics are still revered in our culture, and bring the human race closer to its feeling side.

The more we understand of the elder philosophers the better able we are as ministers to see the vulnerable and helpless side of Man; thus revealing our own weaknesses and strengths. Once we are able to identify these qualities, we can reach out with our good right hand to those whose spirits are in need of support. Then will we be a blessing, as we have been blessed ourselves. 

Rev. Kristine Dice

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Spirit Quest

It has taken me several additional months to conclude this course due to personal schedule conflicts. However, I am actually happy to have had the time to review this course and the accompanying exercises.

I must confess when I first began using the “grounding cord” I didn’t think it particularly remarkable, having my own techniques for grounding. I also found it very difficult to create & blow up roses even though I recognized the concept of creation & destruction. Certainly, we all want new things to come into our lives, yet, to take time to remove the old, worn & outmoded is often a drudgery that we wish to avoid if possible.

So having admitted my resistance to both the exercises above which are given very early on in this course, I must also say that over time I’ve been pleasantly surprised in the results received from performing them. In my early resistance to these, I was not consistent. More recently, I have been utilizing them much more regularly. I find the grounding exercise, not only grounds me but actually helps me rid myself of excess energy. I often imagine fears & negativity flowing thru the grounding cord & flowing down to the center of the Earth’s molten core, thereby, not polluting the Earth, but be dissolved & purified.

When I perform the rose exercise, the important facet of the exercise for me is the destruction of the rose.. This destruction process has helped me look at areas of my life for what no longer serves me and release the unwanted elements. I guess I use both techniques as a way of releasing and letting go. Perhaps, that is important in my own personal development right now, for it certainly comes easy to me. The grounding cord is a general way to get rid of all the unwanted. The rose is used for particularly intentions and the satisfaction of destroying the intended rose has become quite satisfying.

I have found the Spirit Quest Course very clear and easy to read. It offers introductory information on many compelling subjects from the Chakras to Reincarnation. Each weekly chapter gives information and exercises that allow the student to interact with the material.

I have enjoyed this course and look forward to participating in other courses the Seminary has to offer in the future.

Rev. Sharon Corrigan

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Wiccan Studies

I must say that I have greatly enjoyed this course. There are many wonderful things that I learned to help me on the Wiccan path and to minister to others who are pagan.

I greatly appreciated lesson #2 about consequences. It is wonderful to have a warning that reminds us all to be diligent not to cause harm and to be very aware when we are engaged in a magickal setting. I was also pleased with how all the tools were listed and explained. This helped me to know what tool serves what purpose and what to purchase to help me on my path. The lessons on the holidays were wonderful to help me begin to celebrate these special days. I enjoy each and every Sabbat with the Coven I am a part of.

I loved how the lessons became deeper and deeper with each passing week. The God and Goddess lessons were very informative and assisted me on my way to develop my pantheon. Learning about consecration and magick also was very beneficial. I have consecrated my altar and tools and use the magick I have learned for the benefit of others. I have participated in many rites now and I am so grateful for the foundation of rituals in this course that I have learned. Each rite has been its own wonderful experience and accomplished for the good of all.

My favorite lessons in this course were the ones on herbalism. I took great delight in learning about different herbs and their uses. This part of the course gave me a great foundation that will help me continue on into the future. From these lessons I have found a great passion to work with herbs. I have since studied other herbalism materials and hope to help others in the future and use herbs in magick for rites and such. My ultimate goal is to be an herbalist and I am grateful to the Wiccan Studies course for offering this in the lessons.

In conclusion, I would like to thank ULC for creating this course to help me on my path. I appreciate all you have done to help me.

Rev. Holly A. Lee

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Christian Studies

Master of Religion
This discourse covers many different topics of the Bible and the various relationships of the religions and the Bible. It answers many questions about God, the Bible and religions as well as gives us some insight on various religions.

Personally I believe as the author does that sometimes religions get in the way of Christianity and God. Many wars are still to this day fought over religious beliefs. Our faiths are similar in many ways and different in many ways but the one truth remains that most of us believe in one God.

God of the Old Testament was very unforgiving and believed in punishments. When He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, He changed to a more forgiving God. I do believe that once God knew all the trials, the temptations and the tribulations that we, humans, encounter, God became a much kinder, gentler, forgiving God. His Son experienced all that life at that time in history offered, therefore God, the Father, experienced it as well.

Even though Christ told us that the most important commandment of all was to love one another, He did not say we should disregard the Ten Commandments nor pick and choose which ones to obey.

I must admit that I deem many of the letters from the apostles are taken too literally and without forethought on the times in which these people lived. The apostles had the daunting task of spreading the Word to people who either thought Christ to be blasphemous or a lunatic or maybe some of both. Spreading the Word to the Romans created a need for a different approach because they believed in many Gods. For the Romans I think Constantine influenced them to convert to Christianity more so than the apostles.

Just as in the beginning of Christianity there were many denominations and still are today. I give credit to the Ecumenical Counsel for bringing many of the denominations to the understanding of each other.

As life on Earth continues I pray so will our trust, our confidence in God, the triune, will continue to grow. The history of Christianity continues on.

By Rev. Diane Petit

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Shamanism

The Universal Life Church Seminary’s Master of Shamanism on-line study course was a pleasurable, accessible and informative experience and a conformation to personal journey started many years ago. I first experienced a call to the ministry in 1974 and began formal biblical studies and ministerial training. I was ordained and pastured evangelical churches for ten years, and during that time, I’ve experienced a spiritual evolution. Leaving the pastoral ministry, I began holistic health studies, became a certified massage therapist and holistic practitioner and eventually a certified hypnotist. All the while, I was on an unconscious journey toward shamanism. Being basically self-taught, I found the Master of Shamanism course reassuring. I had read or was familiar with much of the information provided, but enjoyed the concise presentation. I have made a notebook that I am sure will be invaluable in the future.

I have learned to blend Eastern, Western and Native American philosophies, with modern and ancient practices of the healing arts often call shamanism. I ascribe to many of the teachings of Dr. Michael Harner, Ph.D. founder of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies and Dr. Roger N. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. in his work ‘The Spirit of Shamanism’. Keeping an open mind, I question and test what I hear, am taught and learn in order to discover its truth and relevance in our contemporary world. I do not believe in the need or use of psychedelic or hallucinatory drugs, nor extreme physical feats of endurance to achieve the contemporary shaman journey.

The two segments in the Master of Shamanism studies that stand out most in my mind is one, the Jewish Shaman, and how it relates to the ministry of Jesus. It presents a logical approach to Jesus’ motivation in His earthly ministry. I have long held the belief that Jesus’ ministry was that of a shaman.

The second lesson that stands out to me was lesson 14. The group meditation and the beautiful “Healing Journey,” is a tool that I am eager to apply in my own work. I sight these to two instances, but they’re dozens of other equally valuable lessons to assimilate. I will reread over and over.

My only wish is that there be a lesson on practical application. I have developed my own practice through trial and error. When I say practice, I mean it literally. I practice shaman healing on a daily bases. I have a city business license and malpractice and liability insurance and offer my services to the public for a fee. I comply with the State of California’s Holistic Practitioners compliance and work out of the Tehachapi Healing Art Center. I had to get insurance from two different carriers, one for massage/bodywork and one for hypnosis and because I touch my clients, I also have to have a police permit. I could not find a single source of information on how to develop my practice and believe such information would be very helpful. I would be happy to offer my input if Universal Life Church Seminary would like to address this subject in the future.

My granddaughter gave me the name Paka, with a soft k, which means ‘wind’ or ‘spirit’ in the Paiute language, as in pahogunt, meaning ‘man having power’ or ‘shaman,’ in Paiute. I embrace shamanism not as a religion, but as a holistic worldview. I simply practice and share what I have learned and experienced first hand. I believe in the old adage, ‘practice what you preach.’ I am not an Old World, Asian nor Native American Shaman; I practice Holistic Wellness and what I call, ‘Contemporary American Shamanism.

Rev. Eugene Stirm

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar