The story is a retelling of a traditional Sioux teaching, often told, and was inspired by a version given to Gary Zukav, presented in Soul Stories.

The changes that are occurring are part of what are called chaos cycles. These are recognised phases in the life of any living system, in which structures that have outlived their relevance or alignment to other patterns dissipate to make room for something new to take form. Just like each one of us, systems are born, develop, mature then die away, making room for the new to emerge.

Most leadership assumes the leader stands apart from the system they lead and that they are an individual directing something separate from themselves. Yet when founded on an ecocentric perspective where everything is understood to be deeply interconnected, leadership starts to look very different. When a steward does not separate themselves from the system they serve, how do this translate, day to day, when working with their teams, organisations, or communities?

The shamanic way of being understands that we are not separate from the world around us but are instead deeply woven into it. We aren’t apart from, or even a part of, nature. We are nature. When you develop that sense and way of being, it shapes everything you do. It even shapes how you might approach a shamanic journey.

Throughout human history, people have sought ways to make their prayers tangible, to give physical form to their deepest intentions and hopes. Prayer sticks emerged from this universal desire, becoming powerful tools across shamanic traditions for communicating with the spirit world. These sacred implements serve as physical conduits for blessings, prayers, and intentions, carrying our messages to ancestors, nature spirits, and divine essence.

Imagine standing at the edge of a still lake. As you drop a pebble into the water, ripples spread outward in ever-widening circles, carrying the energy of that single moment across the surface. Prayer sticks work in much the same way in shamanic traditions – they're vessels that carry our intentions into the spirit world, creating ripples that touch realms beyond our ordinary sight.

In modern shamanic practice, we work with an array of tools that bridge ancient traditions and contemporary healing approaches. Traditional implements like drums, rattles, and feathers remain central to many practices, while contemporary practitioners also work with tuning forks, singing bowls, and crystals.

From a shamanic perspective, the soul is understood as our true essence—the vital force that connects us to the cosmos, nature, and our deepest purpose. It carries our personal gifts, potential, and innermost truths. Traditional shamanic wisdom recognizes that this soul essence isn't a single, indivisible entity, but rather a complex, multi-layered aspect of our being that can fragment or partially separate under difficult circumstances.

In our modern world, we often speak of having a soul, but what does this really mean? Shamanic traditions across the world offer profound insights into the nature of soul as something far more complex and sacred than many contemporary perspectives might suggest. Understanding these traditional views of soul can open new pathways for understanding ourselves and our connection to the greater web of existence.

Ever said “I haven’t been the same since…” or “I feel like a part of me is missing”? In shamanic understanding, these phrases can point to soul loss—when fragments of our true essence disconnect as a form of protection during trauma or prolonged stress. This survival mechanism shields us from overwhelm but can leave us feeling numb, tired, or detached. Shamanic healing works to retrieve and reintegrate these lost parts, restoring vitality and wholeness to the spirit, body and