Lawrence I. Messerman, Ph.D. 

Traditional Shamanic Healing

for Modern people

DEEP ROOTS OF THE WIXÁRIKA TRADITION TO HELP INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS FLOURISH

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AS A MARA’AKAME OR HEALER AND RITUAL LEADER IN THE WIXÁRIKA TRADITION, LAWRENCE IS PART OF AN ANCESTRAL PATH THAT HAS EXISTED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

The Value of Tradition
To Support Healing

The Wixárika–or Huichol as they are Also known–still follow the original instructions about how to live joyfully in relationship with the living world.

Their wisdom comes from following in the footsteps of their ancestors in honoring the Divine through regular cycles of pilgrimage and other rituals. With this solid foundation, the mara’akame can support deep healing for those in need.

Getting to the ‘Root’ of The Problem:

The Wixárika, like many older traditions, see most ‘dis-ease’ originating at the spiritual level. The task of the mara’ákame is to see what is behind the symptoms and to clean away or help release anything that causes the basic imbalance behind any symptoms. Healing can also involve ritual and, almost always includes changing one´s life. This work can produce profound improvement at spiritual, psychological, and physical levels. For clients, the result can be new levels of health, joy, and meaning.

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Benefitting from the Wisdom of Elders:

Being part of a tradition means learning from–and being accountable to–elders. Elders have been walking the path longer and demonstrate their wisdom and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. Lawrence’s elders include Tsaurirrika (elder shamans) Eliot Cowan (1946 – 2022), David C. Wiley, Don José Sandoval, and Don Efrén González Carrillo. In addition, Lawrence receives guidance from a traditional Council of Elders, or Kawitero, under the auspices of Grupo Tatewari. These elders ensure that Lawrence is in good standing with the tradition, including following a strict code of ethics.

Tending Fire:

In many traditions, Fire is associated with heart and transformation. The mind is an incredibly powerful tool that is at the core of our modern culture. But as the old stories teach us, every gift comes at a cost. The mind conceptualizes and can lead us to feel separate from the world. On the other hand, the heart is where we experience our connection to each other, the ancestors, and the vast, mysterious tapestry of creation. Tending fire refers to the ancient spiritual practice–sitting by a sacred fire–that helps us balance the creative gift of the mind with the deeper knowing of the heart. When heart and mind work together in a good way, then we feel vibrant and ready to take on new challenges to benefit ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Below: don Efrén GonzáLez & Lawrence in their traditional Wirárika ceremonial outfits (Trajes) at a Ceremony in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México

In-person Healing

Typically these happen around a consecrated fire in a traditional structure located by Lawrence´s home in Carrollton, Georgia.

Meeting in person is always the most effective way to address major challenges to health and well-being. Depending on the issue, multiple in-person sessions–as well as online follow-up–may be advised.

Online Counseling

Lawrence offers wisdom rooted in the Wirárika tradition in sessions tailored to your particular needs.

Deep healing often involves lifestyle changes that can be explored in this format. Online counseling is most effective in conjunction with in-person healing sessions.

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Here’s What People Have To Say About Lawrence:

As a Healer, Firekeeper, and Counselor.

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“At a recent teaching fire, Larry sat with the members of our circle and in a very short time got to the core of why we all wanted to be around the fire. No one needed to ask questions, as he had answered them for us in his beautiful stories and observations from his heart.
Looking out at the people, faces illuminated by the flames, I could feel a very gentle and even energy flowing from the fire to us all and back to Grandfather Fire.”
Don McVay
Santa Cruz, CA
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“Larry is such a skillful mediator. He helped resolve a heated issue between two people in my community, and I was privileged to be a part of the beautiful resolution that took place. There was healing for all of us who witnessed and took part in supporting this.

It was moving to watch how gently and artfully Larry guided us all to express our feelings and find a natural, heartfelt resolution.”
Maxima Kahn
GRASS VALLEY, CA
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“Larry is a true and trusted guide.

With compassion and humor, he listens deeply and provides valuable assistance on my path.

I highly recommend his medicine to others.”
Jennifer
GRASS VALLEY, CA

Frequently asked questions

Have a question? Here are some answers to some common ones. But feel free to contact me directly if you cannot find an answer to your question here.

For tens of thousands of years, various cultures all over the world have practiced shamanic healing. It is a form of spiritual healing that can also profoundly impact the body and mind. Traditional shamanic healing is rooted in ancestral wisdom that has persisted over many generations because it helps people live fuller, healthier lives.

In a typical session we will meet around a sacred fire—an important spiritual presence that supports deep healing (transformation) in the Wixárika tradition. In the first session, I will want to get to know you better by asking questions about your background and any challenges to your health and well-being. The fre and my feathers (muvieris) will help me to ‘see’ to the root of those challenges. Most often a limpia (Spanish for cleaning) will be called for and perhaps some counseling so that you can better integrate the healing in your everyday life.

No form of healing is for everyone! Traditional healing is for those who have a degree of openness. You need not “understand” the medicine, but if you have a strong conviction that only modern allopathic medicine is legitimate, you should probably stick with that modern form of care! Should you decide to take advantage of this forming of healing that has roots going back thousands of years, I will do my utmost to support your healing with the gifts that I have been given by the gods and the tradition.

Clients often report feeling lighter and more positive after a treatment. While quick, dramatic improvements do happen, it can The patterns that produce ‘dis-ease’ can be deep-seated and pervasive. For most people, healing is a journey that takes commitment and may require additional treatments as well as life-style changes to maintain your health and well-being.

Traditional shamanic healing works at a deep level that can have a profound impact on your life. If you are living out of balance, it will be disruptive. This can be particularly unsettling to the mind–which always wants to stay in control. People who have a history of severe mental illness (psychosis) may not be ideal candidates for my work, but in such cases, I may be able to make a helpful referral. Traditional healing can, however, be tremendously beneficial to the vast majority of us—including those who suffer from more common forms of mental illness like chronic anxiety and depression.

If you are currently working with a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other healthcare professional for your problem, you should always consult with them before seeking out any alternative modality–including traditional shamanic healing.

Lawrence’s affiliations include:

(Since a Mara’akame is never a ‘lone wolf!’)

Lawrence has been led on the path by Eliot Cowan and David Wiley, as well as Huichol elders Don José Sandoval and Don Efrén González Carrillo.

He is part of Grupo Tatewarí at Traditional Shamanic Healing and is a member of the Temple of Sacred Fire Healing. In addition, he serves as Speaker or chief spokesperson for Sacred Fire and has supported programs at the Blue Deer Center.