Sneak peek of Map of the Soul: Journey to the Soul Mate
Read an excerpt from Kathleen's new book!

Author, artist, teacher, healer, survivor Kathleen Downey has, since 1979, after surviving her first experience with death, been searching for her truth. For years the search for this truth was expressed through the creation of art which blossomed out of the insightful transition with death. Then several years ago she was confronted with the task of healing herself of cancer and Lyme disease. She sought alternative healing modalities from which she received a glimpse of hope. However, it was not until her second near death with Lyme disease that she discovered the healing techniques found in the original spiritual tradition, that of the Shaman. With this guidance she found her truth, overcame her illnesses and healed. After more than fifteen years of working with herbal remedies and seven years of intensive study in the healing methods of the Shaman - with Anthropologist, Psychologists, Historians and Indigenous healers from North and South America, including the Q’ero considered to be the last Incan tribe, and ten years of helping others in private practice - she brings forth her experience, wisdom and learned ancient healing knowledge to share with others not only through private sessions but in Shamanic training workshops and the soon to be released books, Map of the Soul: Journey to the Soul Mate, an adventure in healing and creating miracles and Taylor’s Angel, a children’s book for adults who seek understanding.

Kathleen volunteering to help teenagers that live in troubled and underpriviedged neighborhoods of Los Angles. Children who write poetry about their lives that begin with "Quiet mornings and gun shot nights" are learning that they don't have to create the same lives their parents have. Kathleen helps these teens by guiding them through the Shamanic Journey to a first hand experience with their spirit guides and helping them see a way to a brighter future.

SHAMAN-ISM

Shaman-ism is not a religion. It does not require worship nor does it follow any written scriptures, it is an ancient spiritual tradition that has existed for forty thousand years, predating and forming the basics for many of the worlds greatest religions. The function of the tribal Shaman is, the same today as it was in the past, to heal the mind, body, and spirit. The journey of the Shaman is a journey beyond time and death, into the realm of spirit. Thus allowing the Shaman to become the link between matter and spirit, an instrument to tap into knowledge as old as humanity itself. The journey, taken to see the past, present and future where discovering the reasons for illness and unbalance, becomes the tool for healing. Using learned ancient tribal techniques, handed down for generations, the Shaman would restore balance and health in his/her patient. The healer, counselor, and seer gently guiding members of the community into the future possibilities of balanced health, personal power and creative potential. The facilitator for positive change, the Shaman uses his/her gifts for restoring personal power to others by helping one to "see with your heart," honor yourself and all creation. The Shaman will never say, "Follow my footsteps" but will instead tell us, "Follow your own footsteps." Listen to your heart, to your soul, to the earth and all sentient beings. All that exists is part of the infinite web of life.

Thankfully there still exists, in remote places on the earth, the antient work of the Shaman. Where many Anthrolpologists, Psycologists, and people like Kathleen Downey have sought to learn the phenomenal wisdom of this "original medicine." As our fast paced, stressfilled, lives wear down our emotional well being and subsequently our bodies, we are awakening to the need for answers, simple truth, that will allow us to heal, from the most profound part of ourselves, all aspects of our being.