Maestro Valentin Mejillones Acarapi Bolivia represents the message of the Condor: Consejo del Saber Qulla, Council of Knowledge in El Alto La Paz Bolivia, the high Place of Peace, Tiwanaku. His name means One thousand Ants. The Aymara culture is a pre-Incan unbroken lineage that has preserved ceremonial earth care taking at the sun portal Tiwanaku. He is a member of the Spiritual Elders Council of South America. They have just become unified with the Continental Congress of Indigenous Elders of the Americas. This was all set into motion by Don Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj, Maya Quiche of Guatemala. Maestro Valentin is an agriculturalist and keeper of the wisdom of plant foods and herbal medicines. He is an artisan in the art of stone carving amulets. He is in pursuit of sending a message to all communities to learn from their Comovision. He does divination with coco leaves. He is very involved with his community in a political manner. They have had to fight for water and natural gas rights with their government. KAJANGU KYKOSA - Congo Kykosa is a wisdom teacher and poet from the Bashi people. He is the director and founder of Ma Africa, a center of wisdom whose distinctive mission is to provide authentic African wisdom teachings. Ma Africa is actively engaged in the rebuilding of the superhighway of wisdom in Africa. This means he is networking with other wisdom teachers in various parts of Africa to re-establish centers of wisdom where truth-seekers from all walks of life could go to learn and find spiritual nourishment. He has trained under some of the best healers and wisdom teachers in Africa including Credo Mutwa of South Africa, the late Akwete Durbach of Togo, and Makiba Kalanda of Congo. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate in religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In addition, he is a visiting assistant professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. He will be leading a ritual of renewal involving Lyangombe, the patron spirit of the people of Great Lakes of Africa. This ritual will be a healing ritual that seeks to enlist the assistance of the Spirit world to help in stemming the tide of genocide and foolish wars that are raging in the Great Lakes of Africa. PAULINE TANGIORA - Aotearoa, New Zealand Paulines tribal affiliations are to Rongomaiwahine and Kahungunu. For over 40 years she has worked extensively with both Maori and Pakeha, on issues of peace, justice and women. As a tribal elder she has taken a leading role in Maori issues concerning the environment, health, education, land rights and foreign affairs. Presently Mrs. Tangiora is one of the 21 members of the Earth Council, a member of Rigoberta Menchu Tum's (Nobel Peace Laureate) committee on Indigenous Initiatives for Peace, Regional Women's Representative for the World Council for Indigenous Peoples: Aotearoa/N.Z. via/President for Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and a life member of Maori Women's Welfare League. She is a patron of the Aotearoa N.Z. Foundation for Peace Studies. She has represented Aotearoa at many international gatherings including UNCED, UN World Conference on Human Rights, UN Year of Indigenous People, and the UN Conference on Women Beijing. She has published papers and spoken both overseas and within Aotearoa on Maori perspectives, conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and environment. GRANDMA CONNIE MIRABAL - Hopi An Elder currently living on the Nambe Pueblo. She has traveled extensively with her Spiritual Grandmother partner Flordemayo (see below) to hold or assist in spiritual circles that include ceremonies, prayers, making the awareness of who the Creator is, Creator of all things and the awareness of Mother Earth. She is committed to the path, to sharing with the world the ideals set forth for peace and for the future of the children to come, to always being positive, not giving into the negative and to walking in beauty and peace. FLORDEMAYO - Nicaragua/Honduras Flordemayo grew up on the border and is the youngest of 15 children. Her father was a local healer and her mother was a midwife and healer. In 1960, Flordemayo, her mother and several of her siblings moved to New York City. Her father had passed away and the political climate was getting dangerous. She is a curandero espiritu, spiritual healer and medical intuitive. She learned the art of "curandismo" in the traditional way; she was taught by her mother who learned from her mother. She has studied alternative healing with western and Native American teacher and continues her training with Don Aljandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj, a respected spiritual leader and head of the Quiche Maya Council of Elders. She is recognized as a priestess by the Maya and is President of The Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, a non-profit organization designed to unite native people from many traditions and bring their message to a global audience. She has been a featured speaker on curanderismo at conferences on traditional medicine around the world. She conducts traditional Mayan healing ceremonies, practicing "Los Oxlahuntiku" or The Path of the 13 Sacred Centres, healing with sacred breath, the sacred herbal baths, Mayan invisible surgery and absent or distant healing. She considers her Mayan heritage to be the keystone of her work. The sacred Mayan prophecies have stated, "A time will come when the eagle of the north shall meet with the condor of the south. At this time, all the tribes will join together and form a Gathering of Elders. In these gatherings the elders will share their traditions and medicines with each other. When the elders have gathered, they will then disburse to share this ancient knowledge and wisdom with all of humanity". This prophecy has come to pass. She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband Marshall Hall. They have a son and daughter and several grandchildren. OVE SVENSSON - Sweden Ove works with several organizations dedicated to teaching and re-weaving the traditions of both ancient and modern Nordic peoples with other multi-indigenous cultures. He coordinates Nordic and international cross-cultural peace projects, teaches workshops and gives presentations in the United States in cooperation with many educational programs and organizations including the World Council of Elder, Naropa Institute and Green Triangle-Eagle Bridge and WHEY (World Healers' Exchange and Youth Alliance) Projects. He travels widely throughout Europe, Mexico and North America to re-establish and share the traditions of the people of the North Circle. He is a musician, community peace leader, "spaamand" (seer/diviner) and healer. He is currently working to build "rainbow bridges" connecting the multi-indigenous wisdom teachings of Northern Europe with those of Central, North and South America. He currently is the emissary of North Circle Traditions for the World Council of Elders. MANDAZA (AUGUSTINE) KANDEMWA - Zimbabwe He is widely recognized in Southern Africa as a traditional healer (nganga). As a boy, witches poisoned his father so he spent his early years with various relatives, working the fields, struggling to get an education in missionary-run schools. He came of age during the resistance of apartheid in his country. He trained as a teacher and in the late 60s was recruited against his will into the British South African Police as a consultant and ultimately a school administrator. While on the force, he was afflicted with severe "water spirit disease", understood to be the call of the ancestors to practice as a traditional healer. His deep Christian faith came up against this ancient tradition and he did not heed the call. He suffered years of dis-orientation even as he rose in the ranks of the force. He dreamed he was to be initiated by an Ndebele nganga - historical nemesis of the Shona - his tribe. A few days later he was transferred to an Ndebele speaking part of the country where a stranger, a nganga, who ultimately took him through the ritual of initiation, approached him. He eventually left the force, married an Ndebele trance medium named Simakuhle Dube and became a full time nganga and peacemaker - accepting no fee for working with the poor and working class people of Bulawayo. Please visit www.gatheringin.com for more information. Mrs Olive Bullock - Maori (New Zealand) Olive is the Founder of Te Kopere o Raehina (traditional Maori school of Maori medicine), Board Member, Elder, Cultural Advisor Papatuanuku, earth walk, Member / Elder, of the Rongoa collective Traditional Medicine group (part of 6 traditional medicine clinics in the Whanaganui area). Kathy Bird, RN - CREE Kathy is from Norway House, Manitoba. Kathy is a registered nurse and has specialized in community health for 20 years. Spent the last seven years teaching about medicines by traditional healers. Drawing on her years of study, practice, teaching and ongoing learning, Kathy works as a Community Health Nurse and runs the Peguis Traditional Healing Program, the Health Sciences Indigenous Wellness Clinic and is the director of the Peguis Health Services Aki Mashkiki Na Na Da Wii Ii Way Wiin (Earth Medicine Healing) an education program to share with indigenous people the sacred teachings of indigenous medicines and healing. Christine Marie Bullock - Maori (New Zealand) She is the Chairperson of Te Kopere o Raehina, Director of Papatuanuku ( Earth Walk), Board Member Te Kopere o Raehina. Member / representative for te Kopere o Raehina, at the Rongoa Collective meetings. Liaison for various Aboriginal lore & culture centers /organizations, performing arts,etc. WALTER NOORLANDER - England/Holland Walter was born in a small village in Holland and currently resides in Cornwall, England having moved there 23 years ago. After attending college, receiving his Ph.D in agriculture, he performed his national service in the military. He has trained in the martial arts for 17 years. He had his own tree surgery business for many years but has since sold. He has been healing all his life and in fact, remembers his birth. He has been guided by 2 "helpful" people who "knew the way". He started around age 7 and his healing is part of a family tradition - his father is his best friend and his mother is psychic. "If you are a healer - you are a healer". He says that healing does not have anything to do with a staunch faith. He is from the Northern European shamans who came out of the bogs. Pre-Celtic. He heals with body energy and can give it and produce it. He uses crystals and can present a crystal to someone with energy who needs healing. He also uses clothing or belongings and travels telepathically. He monitors a patients progress very closely - if they come to him once or twice for healing that is in line. However, if they come back again then they are not participating in their healing course. He works with 7 dimensions based around 7 continents, 7 belief systems. He says "all medicine, if it's good, you do not question it - western or otherwise". Whatever healing is needed it must be given. "My healing comes from total love. Unconditional. You have to totally commit without taking liberties." SRA. AURELIA PIMENTEL - Mexico Grandmother Aurelia is a Tarascan Indian from the state of Michoacan, began her healing work at the age of 13, when her mother was pregnant with her last child. She "saw" her mother's womb move and knew that she was in danger of aborting the fetus. Sra. Aurelia ran for help to an old woman who instructed her to boil a gold ring together with some cumin and have her mother drink it. She then injected her mother with vitamins prescribed by the doctor. Her mother's pregnancy was saved. At 13, she treated her younger siblings for stomach and other common ailments using herbs and remedies she learned by watching her grandmother. She soon began "improvising" her own remedies. Sra. Aurelia has continued to practice and evolve her healing work throughout her life. Women's issues are a strong area of interest, although she deals with whatever conditions people come to her with often serious illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. In her work she utilizes herbs, both internally and externally, often in very innovative ways to draw toxins out of the body, "sobar" which is a form of healing massage, and prayer. She also counsels her patients as she works with them. Sra. Aurelia takes no credit for her work. She believes all healing is possible through the intervention of Spirit. Leon Secatero ­Navajo Leon is the Spiritual Elder of the Canoncito Band. He is a Grand Elder, Headman and one of the original organizers of Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth. www.spiritualelders.org Sri Rani Bhagavad Dasa - India Sri Raniji, (as she is affectionately known within the Oneness Movement), is a teacher who has dedicated her life to healing, uplifting and transforming the lives of others. She was born in Malawi into a life of privilege and ease. Despite this, she felt her spirit stifled by the awareness of suffering all around her. Her desire to find a way to transform her own suffering and that of others eventually led her to India. She first met Acharya Anand Giri, one of the major disciples of Bhagavan who gave her tremendous claritywhich transformed her to a great extent. Through Acharya she was introduced to Sri Bhagavan and Amma and was overjoyed to discover in their teachings great beauty, simplicity and universality. Most importantly, she experienced liberation of her spirit. Since she had the desire to dedicate her life to serving the spiritual needs of others, she stayed in India to undertake intensive training over a number of years. At length she became a "Dasa" meaning servant or lay order monk, considered one of the highest levels of achievement. Sri Bhagavan appointed her as Spiritual Leader and Founder of the Oneness Movement in North America and made her mission to help bring the gift of enlightenment to the people of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. Raniji's warmth and compassion have touched and transformed the lives of many. Her humor and loving kindness make her a teacher capable of transforming and healing students, while they feel they have found the precious gift of a divine mother's love. Raniji is accomplished in presenting a wide variety of workshops such as "Energy Transfer for Enlightenment" (also called Deeksha), "Awakening the Higher Self", "Perfecting Relationships", "Discovering Bliss", and "Freedom from Stress." Raniji is well aware of challenges we all face living in today's pressures. As a wife and mother herself, she understands family issues and speaks to the heart of these issues involving the setting right of relationships as a foundation for lasting spiritual transformation. Raniji has earned a Master's degree in Economics. She has traveled and given lectures and conducted workshops throughout the North American Continent. Many of her workshops have been hosted at major universities. In addition she has worked with other spiritual leaders such as Ron Roth and Steve Ross. She welcomes spiritual seekers of all faiths; those who simply wish to enhance their existing beliefs as well as those who are ready for something new. Elena Loboda - Russian/Siberia Elena has studied and done retreats in several Buddhist and Shivaist monasteries in the Himalayas and Tibet. She worked with a Taoist master in China and studied the Sufi Way from Gurdgiev heritage. She conducted independent research on Siberian shamanism and the ancient knowledge of Hyperborean in Russia. She holds an M.D. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Clinical Neurochemistry. She is a specialist in nutrition and integrative knowledge for total wellness. She teaches workshops on Shamanic Journey: Depth of the Body - Ancient Siberian Healing Practices. Zacariah Ramaliba - South African Venda Works with both plant and spiritual medicines (prayer, divination, trance, water, stones.) Also has completed university level studies. Received the gift of healing through his grandfather and his ancestors. Ramaliba has special success treating cancer, AIDS and eczema. Walter Whitewater - Dine Born in Arizona on the Dine reservation. He is fluent in his own language. He is the carrier of the understanding of the language of the Earth according to his people's teachings. He leads sweatlodges and is the carrier of sacred songs. Herbert Quinteros Flores Peru Herbert lives in the high jungle of Tarapoto, Peru. He is 27 years old and studies language at the university. He plays a pre - Colombian instrument and his specialty is the shamanic sound used during the ceremonies of sacred plants with ikaros or music that is used with the spiritual plant. These ceremonies are for the individual to learn more about oneself, to become connected with Pachamama (Earth), nature and God. Incan music is a way to connect with the Spirits. The teachings respect the cosmic vision. He teaches about the ancient Amazonian cultural perspective on the cosmic vision and how the people live with nature. His teachings include using the scared medicine plant to connect with the spirits. He works to preserve and support the ancient teachings of the Incas. Mahealani Henry - Hawaii is a kanaka maoli-native Hawaiian Aunty and Kumu from Puna, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Aunty is a teacher-messenger for the spiritual voices of the ancestors within the strong lineage of na Kumu, Kahu, & Kahuna (teachers, guardians, priests, priestess/ advisors and healers) under the leadership of her ancestral Kupuna-Kane (grandfather), named Kaiwikuamo'o kekuaokalani." This translates as the "backbone strength of the heavenly chiefs." She shares the traditional "mo'olelo-story telling" about her culture, and Aloha Spiritual values for self, others and the environment in group presentations, at retreats, and within her workshops through the ancient spiritually-pragmatic teachings of Ho'opono Pono Ke Ala. Ho'opono Pono Ke Ala, is the belief system and method for "making right more right, the path." Many are surprised to learn about this form of Ho'opono pono rooted in the Aloha Spirit rather than of the Christian and Western adaptation for "conflict resolutions." ŠHo'opono Pono Ke Ala predates both adaptations, and brings forward the Aloha for self and to promote "self-best" through self-permission to recognize and accept self-greatness," to experience it moment-by-moment in all areas of one's life. It is the ancient knowing that you are obviously the best "you" ever, there are no duplicates, you're It, the original YOU; the god-goddess makes no mistakes! In addition to her workshop activities and speaking engagements, Mahealani served as a cultural-based counselor for the Federal DASH (drug alcohol substance abuse) rehabilitation program. She is also a Kahu-priestess and officiates at weddings, blessings, wakes, and memorials. Kokomon Clottey - Ghana West Africa He was born to the Ga-Adagbe tribe in Accra which is the capital of Ghana. The Ga society is rich with ancient codes of conduct, deep spiritual beliefs and awesome rituals of power. Kokomon is an interpreter of this indigenous African tribe's wisdom and rituals. He is a storyteller, record producer, author and teacher. He has produced two cd's, Love is the Answer and Mystic Vision and co-produced The Journey. With his wife Aeeshah, he co-authored Beyond Fear: Twelve Spiritual Keys to Racial Healing. He contributed to Imagine What America Could Be in the Twenty-First Century: Visions of a Better Future From Leading American Thinkers. Kokomon recently wrote Mindful Drumming: Ancient Wisdom for Unleashing the Human Spirit and Building Community. Kokomon is a visiting professor at the University of Creation and Spirituality in Oakland, CA and the co-founder of the Attitudinal Healing Connection Inc., in Oakland. He currently serves as its Executive Director. He co-founded a center in Ghana, West Africa. Alessandra Belloni - Italy Singer, Percussionist, Dancer, Actress, Director of Italian theatre Group I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. A REMO Signature Series Artist with her line of Italian tambourines, Alessandra is the first to introduce her line of Italian signature series tambourines especially designed with the internationally renowned REMO INC, leader in the industry of percussion. She is also the Artistic Director/Founder/Lead Performer of "I Giullari di Piazza", Italian Music, Theatre and Dance, Artists in Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, in New York City. Often called a "MEDITERRANEAN VOLCANO" Alessandra Belloni is a singer, tambourine virtuoso, dancer and actress. She was born in Italy, and is committed to preserving the strong and rich traditions of her culture. The only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in Southern Italian percussion combined with ritual dances and singing, that she learned from the old people in the field research, and also with the legendary Italian percussionist Alfio Antico. She has spent more than twenty years participating every Summer in the authentic drumming Festivals in remote areas of Southern Italy, held in honor of the Black Madonna and as rituals of purification. Ms. Belloni teaches special healing workshops combining percussion and dance at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and in Italy and Brazil together with healing specialist Dr. Jose Bittar. As guest artist she collaborates with the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels Company, expanding her work in the origins of tarantella as music & dance therapy. TOM LMAKIYA LESARGE - Kenya (Maasai) Born some time between 1969 and 1970, I was the only one of my fathers 4 sons and 4 daughters to be formally sent to school. I, however, got to attend school by some sheer luck, after Kenya's first president issued a directive to his officers in all the pastoral districts to encourage the pastoral nomads to send at least on child per family to school. My father was caught unexpectedly and ordered to give one of his children to attend formal schooling. He picked on me because I happened to be at home when the officers called on him. I therefore became one of the first 24 children to attend school in my village. After 8 years of elementary schooling, I was one of the 7 students out of the 24 who started the school to sit for a national exam to qualify for high school admission. I was the only one who managed to pass the exam and get admission to high school. After 4 years of schooling there, I was among the 12 students who passed another national exam to qualify for university admission. I did Political Science in Moi University, one of the then 5 national public universities. I have since worked for Heritage Hotels, a Kenyan owned hotel chain. My responsibilities have been to educate people (tourists) on the culture of the Samburu people and their relationship with nature. I have also been overseeing projects done by the company for its host communities all over the country. I have written a book on the culture of the Samburu as a guide to the people who visit Samburu and are interested in the people's culture. It is entitled "The Samburu: A Brief Cultural Guide". As cultures change (and no culture is static), many cultural aspects are bound to get lost forever. My main vision is to see the Samburu culture documented fully, so that generations that may not find the culture surviving can have a reference point to their past. At the same I am working on introducing lessons in the local schools on the culture, in order to impart cultural knowledge in the young people and build a sense of pride in them about their culture. Zuzanka Kutena International communications expert with a background in broadcast media, public relations and liaison at inter-governmental and agency levels. Skilled facilitator of intercultural exchange, and social researcher familiar with various Indigenous peoples' groupings and networks, regionally and internationally and cognizant of their issues and agenda at community, national and international levels within various regions and contexts; Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Africa, Asia. National Archives Canada cataloguing and developing fome for the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. World Council of Indigenous Peoples. Invited to participate as interpreter for crucial inter-governmental meetings relating to the renewal of the organization which enjoys full consultative status with the United Nations and other international instrumentalities. Elected to the Secretariat as Programme Officer for the WCIP by Indigenous Executive Council members in October 1997. Co-ordinator of 'Earthwalk' initiative. Directly involved in developing a multicultural women's committee to devise, facilitate and co-ordinate a youth program addressing racism and social justice. Assisted Earthwalk (Papatuanuku) to facilitate an 'experiential' cross-cultural component, involving Aboriginal Elders and the community of the South Coast. The program involved 21 youth and 19 Adults from 14 differing cultural backgrounds. The Earthwalk experience was primarily supported by the Australian Youth Foundation and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Commissioned to produce a special report on the 'Identified needs of Remote and Isolated Aboriginal Families and Communities in NSW, published October 1995. This report highlights the experiences of Aboriginal Peoples' and articulates their views on policies and services. World Indigenous Peoples Conference: Education, Wollongong University Consultant and advisor to community based Indigenous organization. In particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and communities in Sydney and NSW and networks within the wider Pacific region. Consultant and Co-ordinator for Indigenous Peoples' Organizations participating in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, UNCED and the processes Regional Preparatory Conferences. Consultant, fundraiser and project co-ordinator, the Indigenous Peoples' World Conference on Territory, Environment and Development, the Kari-oka, Rio de Janeiro. Additionally responsible for advocacy, liaison and interpreting at inter governmental levels; briefing world media and communication groups and personally liaising and facilitating negotiations with government and agency officials involved with the UN process. Head of communications for 'the Mandate', an environmental initiative for the protection of the Global Commons and the establishment of an International Court of Justice. Responsible for devising and implementing strategies to establish 'the Mandate' within UN member countries in the lead up to the Earth Summit, utilizing government instrumentalities, non governmental organizations and communication/media networks. Successfully launched the Mandate in Turkey, the Philippines and Japan. In Mexico, Germany, Canada, Australia, India, and the USA launches were put in place and undertaken by local organizations and groups. Valerie Wolf/Grandmother Dreaming Bear A shamanic healer, dreamer, teacher, and writer in an eclectic Medicine Ways tradition. Her lineage includes Nimipu (Nez Perce), Cherokee, Blackfoot, Tupi, and Celtic ancestors. She was called to her vocation through a sacred illness during which she began to dream in the ways of her Native American ancestors and in particular to dream of these ancestors asking that she devote herself to the ancient indigenous forms of healing, dreaming, and living. In the course of her training, much of which took place through visions and dreams, it became clear she was being asked to restore the ancient traditions of dreaming, of working with dreams as a means of guidance for a spiritual path, and as a way of learning how to be in right relationship to All Our Relations, i.e., how to live once again in a sacred way upon our mother, the earth. She created a class called Medicine Dreaming, which offers a shamanic approach to dream work, and is currently writing a book that provides a shamanic paradigm for dreaming and dream understanding. Valerie's work includes a private healing practice in which she collaborates with spirits and ancestors, as well as explores dreams, story, and divination to illuminate the sources of illness and to discover a sacred healing path for her clients. In addition to providing healing services for people, she also offers animal communication consultations, and healing work for houses and for the land. In addition she leads Medicine Walks, a modified form of vision quest, twice a year. She is the founder and director of Dream Weavers, a non-profit foundation devoted to exploring, restoring, and supporting indigenous dreaming practices and wisdom throughout the world. She lives in Topanga, California with her husband Glen; two children, Ursula, and Nick; a dog Molly and a wolf Tara; and two cats, Fern and Fiona. Tata Cirilo Perez Oxlaj His Maya name is Wakatel Utiw/Wandering Wolf in English, is a traditional Maya Quiche Elder, a medicine man, astrologer, astronomer,ecologist, medium and spiritual guide, among other things. His knowledge has been directly passed on to him orally from generation to generation. He is the 13th generation in his lineage since recording started. He never went to school, but has lectured in different well known universities in the United States and Europe He has traveled extensively around the world bringing the Prophecies, Messages of Peace for the world, speaking in behalf of the environment. Tata Cirilo Perez Oxlaj is the Head of the Guatemala National Council of Elders Mayas Xincas and Garifunas,25 Ethnic groups. He is also the Grand Elder of the Continental Council of Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Guides of the Continent. His name, Wakatel Utiw was given to him by the Celestial Voices making him at the same time "The voice of the jungle and messenger of the Mayas." Dr. Richard Grossman, L.Ac. O.M.D., Ph.D. Since the age of 16, Dr. Grossman has been deeply involved in healing, growth and spiritual growth. He is both a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and an accomplished sound healer and performer. He began his study of Oriental Medicine in 1980, and was one of a small handful of Americans to attend the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, China. After receiving his Acupuncture License, Dr. Grossman established a private practice in the Los Angeles area and began teaching at the California Acupuncture College. The late 1980's he began an experiential journey into Shamanism through work with healing plant medicine. In 1991 he took an extended sabbatical in Central Mexico to study and experience local healing traditions. He returned to Los Angeles in 1993 to re-establish his healing practice. Throughout this time, sound and music have grown to be an increasingly important aspect of his healing work. He utilizes drumming, Tibetan singing bowls, didgeridoos, bells, rattles, conch shells, jaw harps, and a gong, to create a tapestry of sound that is relaxing, healing, and promotes deep inner journeying. This enables a deep entrainment of the brain into states conductive to true healing. Many people consider Dr. Grossman to be a master of gong music. He is the creator of soundJourney, an inner shamanic experience of sound and vibration. Dr. Grossman lives currently lives in Topanga Canyon, California. For further information, please visit and . More to be announced including speakers from Thailand, Kenya, Australia and Native America.