“Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation.

Be notorious… I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I’ll be mad.”  Rumi

Shamanic Rebirth is a ceremony that offers us an opportunity to “die” without releasing the physical form.

And then  “reincarnate” into a new life. 

The human soul can be likened to an energy bubble. Imagine being inside of a balloon where the energy of the outer layer radiates down to your emotional and physical bodies and informs your entire existence. If low self-esteem is there, you’ll most likely experience its manifestations throughout your life. It’s the same with uncertainty, fear, doubt, shame, abandonment, and on and on. The purpose of Shamanic Rebirth is to release that heavy energy and replace it with refined. This is how it works.

First, we state an unhealthy theme or pattern we’ve been struggling with and call it a life that’s dying. Here are a few examples: Shame. Judgment. Insecurity. Needing Approval. Resistance. Habitual Behavior. Guilt. Resentment.

Once we become clear about the dying life, we decide what new life will be born and take its place. A few examples are: Magic. Unity. Self-love. Inspiration. Enlivening passion. Freedom.  Emotional strength. Creativity.

Now it’s time for the Khuya ceremony!

Khuya means sacred object in Quechua, the language of the Q’ero, descendants of the Inka. This ancient ceremony is part of their heritage and has been kept alive by Juan Nunez del Prado, teacher of the Andean mystical path. The intention of the ceremony is to purify a person’s soul, or energy bubble, as the Q’ero call it. To do this, special stones are used to open, cleanse, empower, and connect the seven major energy centers (chakras) of the body via a series of energy belts. Ever since 1997, when Juan initiated me to perform this ceremony, I’ve discovered it to be a powerful means of facilitating Shamanic Rebirth.

The ceremony officially begins once a person becomes clear about their old and new lives.  We stand across from one another, and I ask, “What is the life that’s dying?” After they name it aloud, I ask, “Are you sure you’re ready to let it go?”  A new life changes things, so it’s important to be fully committed. If the answer is, “Yes,” I ask, “What is the name of your new life?” Once it’s declared, I open the outer skin of their bubble by literally pushing it away. This releases the impression of the old, which creates space for the new. The rest of the ceremony frees heavy energy and aligns each center—front to back, back to front, and with one another—to that potential. In the end, the person rests in their purified, reborn soul.

Would you like to explore Shamanic Rebirth?

Put some thought into naming the life that’s dying.  Ask yourself, “Am I happy?” Is there a pattern I can’t  resolve? Do I have unfulfilled dreams? “What are they? Am I willing to live them? Can I commit to releasing the past and beginning anew?”

Consider what you’d like your new life to be. It might be weeks before you become clear. Or minutes.

Ask a friend to witness and support you.

Create an altar. Include a candle, paper, something to write with, and any personal items you feel are pertinent.

Center. Ground. (Click for guidance.) Light the candle. 

Open a ceremony in your sacred way.

Call to your healing guides and teachers. You don’t have to know who they are or even feel them. Put out the intention. They’ll be there.

Write down the name of the life that’s dying. Say it out loud. Be definitive and committed. For example, “The life that is dying is the life of shame. I am over it! Done! Complete!” Express gratitude for how it’s gotten you to the present moment, and then tear the paper, and place the pieces on one side of the altar.

Write down the name of your new life. Say it out loud. For example, “I am a confident, creative woman.” Be passionate. After all, you’re designing your future. Place this paper on the other side of your altar.

Stand tall. Re-center and ground.

Spread your arms wide in a position of receptivity and power.

Ask your invisible guides to remove the template of your old life from your outer soul skin. Help them by breathing it off and imagining the entire process. Begin at the top of your head and visualize it peeling back. Do the same thing at the front of your head and see it peeling forward. Attend to each side.

Release heavy energy. Take as much time as you need.

Breathe your new life in through your heart/soul space. As you exhale, let it satiate your entire soul. Include each chakra. Do this until you feel fully saturated.

Then, take the torn pieces of paper and infuse them with Light. Release them in some way—burn, bury, or even throw them in the garbage.

When you feel complete, close your ceremony with prayers of gratitude, and blow out the candle.

Move your altar someplace where you can easily see it. Make the statement of your new life visible. You might cut out pictures from a magazine that reflect it. And then gift yourself a new life birthday treat!

As soon as the ceremony is over, you enter the “Resurrection of Self Phase.”  This is a nine-month period where the life you were living pre-ceremony has become a former life, but your newly chosen life hasn’t yet solidified. Each day might offer a moment, event, or excuse to go back to old ways. Sit at your altar. Remember who you are and what you’ve chosen. It takes courage, trust, and above all, willingness—sometimes minute-to-minute or day-by-day—to let go and allow the new to unfold.

In those moments, remember the wisdom of Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu:

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”