The volume of daily discussion about the economy, the state of our country, global warming, and opposing political views, is dizzying for most of us.  It can absorb so much of our attention and energy that, I for one, can feel quite depleted by the end of the day if I allow too much of this into my consciousness.  

Yes, it is important to be aware of matters that affect our Planet Earth, our overall well-being, the ways in which people are being exploited and abused around the world, and so on, and how can we have a positive impact on reversing this trend of negativity if we ourselves get bogged down in it all?

I have found that it is important to protect myself from an overload of the onslaught so that I can remember the divine nature of who I am and why I am here on Earth at this time.   If I can connect with my own divine nature and remember that there is light in even the darkest of places, then perhaps I can make a difference.

In my work as a Shaman and teacher of Shamanism, I cannot possibly be effective if I am carrying the darkness that permeates the media and so much that surrounds us.   To keep myself clear and to enable my ability to radiate and shine my divine nature in all I do, I have practiced the Transfiguration work taught to me by Sandra Ingerman.  

Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of a dear friend's death.   I was in attendance at her dying and was blessed to feel and see her precious, beautiful spirit leave her body.   She had, as the French would say, 'la bonnne mort', a 'good death'.

What does that mean, exactly?   What makes a death a good one as opposed to a difficult one?

It is not uncommon to muse about why we are here on Earth and for what purpose we have come. The question is much larger than, for instance, "am I supposed to be a nurse", or am I supposed to be a "fireman"?? Truly the larger question is, for what reason has my spirit made this visit to Earth in a body? What am I here to learn and what am I here to "be", not "do"?

As we enter into this New Year of 2009, what do your spirit helpers have to say about this coming year?

It is traditional for us to make New Year's Resolutions. But what is it our spirit helpers want us to shift in our behavior, our habits, our beliefs? What is it your spirit helpers would like you to do to contribute to the global healing which is going on right now?

Journey on this topic and share the guidance you receive in our shamanic forum. We all can benefit from sharing the content of our journeys and the insight of our spirit helpers.

Many of you have asked about where to get Florida Water and how to use it. There are many websites where you can purchase Florida Water, if you don't live in one of the southern states of the U.S. where you can easily purchase it.

However, if you want to make your own Florida Water, here's a recipe that was given to me by one of my students who is a native of Colombia:

• 16 oz of distilled water
• 2 oz of Vodka
• 6 drops of Bergamot Oil
• 6 drops of Lavender Oil
• 2 drops of Clove Oil

Florida Water has been used by the indigenous peoples of Mexico and most South American countries as a way of purifiying, blessing, removing negative energies and for sacred ceremonies.

If you want to purchase it on the web, I suggest you go to shamansmarket.com. This is the brand I use and have never been disappointed.

We are spirits travelling around in a body. That is a shamanic perspective on what happens when our spirit chooses to leave our body and continue its journey of existence in a different reality. Dying is not difficult; it's knowing where you are going that challenges most of us.

Published in Maine Well Being, March 2005

COMMUNICATING WITH THE DEAD and THE DYING:

A SHAMANIC PERSPECTIVE

By Dory Cote

Shamanic Practitioners around the world work with the spirits of the deceased, facilitate the transition from life to death, and act as intermediaries in communication between the living and their beloveds. Many people don’t know this, and don’t consider a Shamanic Practitioner to be someone they might approach with these requests. The Shamanic Practitioner’s path is one of deep spiritual healing, therefore her intention when asked to communicate with a deceased person is to provide information, guidance, or words that will help heal the wounded heart and soul of the bereft. Often, what also transpires is deep healing of the soul of the deceased person. In the case of dying persons, the possibilities for healing for that person and the family are phenomenal.

There is never a lack of topics to journey on!

As people who pursue a shamanic path, as many of you are, we believe in the principle of the oneness with the web of life. That also involves a responsibility to be in harmony and in regular, direct communication with the elements, plants, trees, birds, insects, and all life forms. Remember, all living things have spirit! And they exist in perpetuity in non-ordinary reality.