The wound is the place where the light enters you.
~ Rumi
Shaman &
Transformational Facilitator
I’ve been on a spiritual and healing journey for my whole life. I began to study reflexology, yoga and meditation in my early teens. Since then, I have explored spiritual traditions and healing modalities from around the globe.
I truly believe it was this foundation that allowed me to navigate and survive traumatic experiences of my youth. Through my own process of healing, I embraced a holistic approach to life and well-being. It was this awakening that initially led me to step forward as a holistic and wellness practitioner over 25 years ago — and I’ve been on a journey of supporting others in transformation and healing ever since.
My purpose is to cultivate connection, compassion and awakening. I am committed to helping others find the light in the darkness. And to come to understand our traumas and pain as lamp posts that are guiding us to where our inner work of transformation and healing lies.
In many spiritual traditions, the heart is seen as the key to unlocking the mystery of life. I hold this view. I believe there are many ways to approach the journey of awakening — as many as there are beings — and if you are here, something is awakening in you.
My gift of inner vision and connecting to sacred space allows me to help create a container for healing and transformation that supports those I work with in accessing their own inner wisdom and spiritual guidance.
It is from this sacred center of the heart that exists within us all that alignment and understanding of soul purpose emerges. I help my clients to find their unique way of connecting and receiving support by learning how to access and navigate their own inner guidance system.
Everything that I have lived and learned comprises the toolbox I use today.
Ultimately, my journey led me to a shaman’s door. It was there that I began to find healing and integration on a level I never imagined was possible. I was finally able to step out of pain and heal my wounds in a profound way.
I have been a practicing shaman for 16 years apprenticing in a traditional way with shaman Ross Bishop (author of Healing the Shadow and Finding Inner Peace). I’ve been blessed to connect with many amazing shamanic and spiritual teachers throughout my journey, however the process that Ross developed to make this ancient healing method more accessible for people in the modern world is at the heart of my shamanic and holistic work today.
Through the shamanic path, I’ve come to see disconnection as the greatest disease of our times. Connection is viewed as the “medicine” needed for healing and transformation.
In addition to many years of holistic and shamanic training which supports this view, I hold a Master of Science degree in Restorative Practices from the International Institute of Restorative Practice.
This emerging social science synergizes ancient wisdom about connection and community carried forward from indigenous cultures with modern relational theories. It supports the essential role that connection and belonging play in healing our modern, disconnected world.
Restorative practices recognize the value of relationship as a foundation for transformation, resilience and well-being. This aligns with shamanic traditions, which holds that everything is interconnected through what is referred to as the “web of life”.
At the heart of it all, we are all connected!
Traditional Apprenticeship in Shamanic Healing – Ongoing (16 years)
Shaman Ross Bishop
Master of Science in Restorative Practices – 2021
International Institute of Restorative Practices
Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices – 2019
International Institute of Restorative Practices
Certificate in Addiction Counseling – 2009
Anne Arundel Community College
Certificate in Massage Therapy – 1996
The Swedish Institute
Graduate Studies in Anthropology – 1993/4
CUNY Hunter College
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Psychology, Art History – 1990
SUNY Stony Brook
Certified Feeding Your Demons Facilitator – 2021
Tara Mandala
Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist – 2019
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
Certified Recovery Nutrition Coach Level I – 2017
Academy of Addiction & Mental Health Nutrition
SHINE Mindfulness Facilitator – 2016
Center for Mindful Awareness
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist – 2014
Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board
Bach Flower Registered Practitioner (BFRP) – 2012
The Bach Centre UK
Certified Zero Balancer – 2011
Zero Balancing Association
Diplomate in Homeopathy – 2007
International Association of Homeopathy
Certified Herbalist – 2007
International Association of Homeopathy
Certified Bodybreath™ Healing Practitioner – 2004
Innerwork with William B. Henegan
Certified P.E.E.R.™ Facilitator – 2003
P.E.E.R.™ (Primary Emotional Energy Recovery) Training
Licensed Massage Therapist – 2001
Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Certified Reiki Master – 1994
International Reiki Association
Facilitating Restorative Conferences Training of Trainers – 2021
International Institute of Restorative Practice
Fundamentals of Restorative Practices Training of Trainers – 2020
International Institute of Restorative Practices
Haumana (Huna) Shaman Training – 2019
Kupua Claudette Knox
Recovery Coaching a Harm Reduction Pathway© Training of Trainers – 2019
The LeMire Group
CCAR Recovery Coach Trainings & Training of Trainers – 2015 – 2019
Connecticut Community Addiction Recovery
Mental Health First Aid Instructor – 2018
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Cultural & Linguistic Competence Training – 2016
Behavioral Health Administration of Maryland
Facilitator’s GPS: Pointing you in the Right Direction – 2016
University of Maryland Training Center
Non-Violent Communication – 2018
On Our Own of Montgomery County
Intentional Peer Support Core Training – 2017
Intentional Peer Support
Shamanic Healing Intensives – 2011 – 2012
The Polarity Center / Rose Khalsa
Advanced Shamanic Training – 2010 – 2012
Heartfire Journeys
Council Process & Facilitation Training – 2010 – 2012
Transformative Training / Sagebrush Treatment Center
Non-Violent Communication (NVC) – 2010 – 2012
Transformative Training / Sagebrush Treatment Center
International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP)
Center for Mindful Awareness (CMA)
Feeding Your Demons / Tara Mandala (FYD)
Society for Shamanic Practices (SSP)
National Alliance for Mental Illness Maryland (NAMIMD)
Restorative Practices International (RPI)
Zero Balancing Association (ZBA)
Heal My Voice (HMV)
Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)
The Bach Centre UK
Fundamentals of Restorative Practices (IIRP)
Facilitating Restorative Conferences (IIRP)
SHINE Mindfulness Program (CMA)
Mental Health First Aid (MHA)
Science of Addiction & Recovery (FAVOR/Friends of Recovery NY)
Recovery Coaching A Harm Reduction Pathway© (The LeMire Group)
Connection Community Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
Beth Shekinah is dedicated to sharing what she has experienced through her life and learning with others. She creates unique educational and experiential programs that promote transformation and healing. Her ability to meet people where they are and hold space with authenticity and intention makes her an embodied facilitator. Whether guiding a retreat or workshop, facilitating restorative practices trainings or teaching about holistic recovery pathways, Beth Shekinah brings her insight, wisdom and genuineness to every program that she leads.
In addition to developing many of her own programs and courses, Beth Shekinah is also an authorized facilitator in a variety of structured programs with organizations including the Center for Mindful Awareness, the International Institute of Restorative Practices, and Connecticut Community Addiction Recovery.
She loves working with organizations, communities and leaders to customize programs, workshops and retreats that can support their process of transformation and building a foundation for resilience and well-being.
She is open about her own path of recovery from trauma, addiction and fibromyalgia, as well as her personal spiritual exploration. She is masterful in engaging her audience and facilitating meaningful conversations.
Her topics include:
A subject matter expert and thought leader, Beth presents at national, regional and local conferences and events, as well as to organizations and community groups, and has had the unique honor of being invited back multiple times.
Highlights include:
She has also been a featured guest and panelist on many webinars and podcasts.
Beth’s writing has been featured in several collaborative books, She writes regularly on her blog, Heart of Awakening, and she is a guest writer for Elephant Journal.
A Starfield Press Collaborative Book including Beth’s story: “Igniting Our Hearts & Souls”
A Heal Voice Collaborative Book including Beth’s story: “I’m Okay, Really!” and “Becoming Peace”
A Heal Voice Collaborative Book including Beth’s story, “Lost & Found: The Birth Of Shaman”
A Poetry Anthology A Spiritual Writers Network Collabora- tion including Beth’s work: “Be Still”
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