Lawrence Messerman, Ph.D.
Traditional Shamanic Healing for Modern people
DEEP ROOTS OF THE WIXÁRIKA TRADITION TO HELP INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS FLOURISH
AS A MARA’AKAME OR HEALER AND RITUAL LEADER IN THE WIXÁRIKA TRADITION, LAWRENCE IS PART OF AN ANCESTRAL PATH THAT HAS EXISTED FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
The Value of Tradition
To Support Healing
The Wixrárika (or ‘Huichol’ as they are more widely known) people 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. Oftentimes, the mind itself is getting in the way of the body’s natural capacity for healing. 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.
This work can produce profound improvement at the spiritual, psychological, and physical levels. For clients, the result can be a whole new level of well-being!
.
Benefitting from the Wisdom of Elders:
Being part of a tradition means learning from and being accountable to elders. Elders are those who have been walking the path longer and who demonstrate their wisdom and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. Lawrence’s elders include Tsaurirrika (elder shamans) Eliot Cowan, 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. They 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. While the mind works in concepts and can lead us to feel separate from the world, 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.
don Efrén GonzáLez & Larry in their traditional ceremonial trajes at a tuki fiesta in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México
In-person Healing Sessions
Typically these take place around a consecrated fire at Lawrence´s home hearth in Carrollton, Georgia. Meeting in person is always the most effective at addressing major challenges to health and well-being. Depending on the issue, multiple in-person sessions, as well as online follow-ups, may be advised.
Online Counseling Sessions
Lawrence can also provide a great deal of support through online counseling.
Most often, deep healing entails lifestyle changes which can be recommended through this format. Online counseling may also be a good precursor for later in-person sessions.
Who is a good candidate for Wixrárika Healing?
Those open to alternative forms of healing. Believing in the medicine is NOT necessary but one who has grave reservations about spiritual healing will likely only confirm their doubt.
TRADITIONAL HEALING in a GROUP SETTING:
Initiated Firekeepers for Sacred Fire offers monthly community fires.
In addition to his role as a mara’akame, Lawrence and his wife, Jessica De la O are initiated Firekeepers under the auspices of the international organization, Sacred Fire. Along with their colleague Sherry Boatright, they hold monthly community fires in Carrollton, GA, USA.
Sitting around a sacred fire is the world’s oldest form of medicine and ritual since our early ancestors began gathering around the fire at least 800,000 years ago. Around the fire, they shared the sacred stories that gave life meaning and helped them to maintain their deep connection to each other and the world around them. Today, this ancient practice can once again be experienced as a source of healing and wisdom.
Offerings to the fire are made to the fire in the Wixárika tradition
Once the fire is consecrated, the Firekeeper facilitates a space we may share what is important in their lives. One of the great gifts of Fire is transformation: Just as it did for our ancestors, Fire can ‘burn away’ the burdens and difficulties and leave us feeling lighter with a sense of greater possibility for our lives. People from all spiritual backgrounds are welcome!
Interested in attending community fires in Carrollton, Georgia?
INDIVIDUAL HEALING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. EVENTUALLY, THOUGH, OUR WELL-BEING DEPENDS ON THE STRENGTH OF OUR CONNECTIONS. ATTENDING A SACRED FIRE IS A TIME-TESTED WAY OF DEEPENING OUR CONNECTION TO OTHERS AND THE WORLD AROUND US.
Role of Fire in Huichol Healing
In the Wirárika tradition, Fire is seen as the First Shaman and as heart, as the One who connects us to the world. With the help of Fire, the mara’akame can connect more deeply with clients and determine what they need.
Fire also helps the mara’akame to connect to the wisdom of the tradition and the sacred sites who offer their particular gifts of healing.
F
Lawrence Messerman Ph.D.
Lawrence is an initiated healer and ritual leader in the Wixárika tradition and offers individual shamanic healing sessions as well as collective transformation through regular fire gatherings.
Lawrence also shares his wisdom and insight through teaching fires, online counseling sessions, and online classes.
Healing sessions
Monthly SACRED Fires
Online Counseling
Online Classes
Here’s What People Have To Say About Lawrence:
As a Healer, Firekeeper, and Counselor.
Join The Movement that will change the world
Initiated Firekeepers, from the Sacred Fire Community, offer community fires each month in cities and towns just like yours all over the planet.
These fires help people reconnect to themselves, each other, and the natural world in order to live a life of relationships, awareness, and purpose—not only for themselves but for humanity. Through the shared experience of the influence of fire as a source of wisdom and transformation, people can achieve the balance they seek amid the challenges of today’s society.
Many Happy Clients
People come to Lawrence seeking guidance & a way to transform their lives.
30 years of experience!
Larry has worked with individuals and groups to focus & work on living a good life.
25 Years In the Wixárika Path
Tradition holders follow elders & learn from their wisdom.
The Huichol Community Believes That The Power To See & Hear Everything Resides the Feathers of a Mara’akame. They Also Cure Diseases & Make The Sun & Rain Appear.
It’s the ultimate integration of mind/body/spirit medicine to heal across cultures.
This Medicine is
for you if…
This Medicine is NOT
for you if…
Living From Your Heart As A More Fulfilling Way Of Being
From a traditional perspective, the heart is not just an organ that circulates blood. It also represents a basic aspect of human nature that connects us to others, the world, and ultimately Divine. Heart is meant to guide us while the mind figures out the details. A life guided by heart is a life that embraces and benefits from transformation. The results include:
- A stronger sense of who you are and what you’re meant to bring forth in life.
- Feeling more vibrant and alive.
- Being more resilient when you have setbacks–which are a natural part of living.
- Feeling more deeply connected to others and the natural world.
- A life of constant learning and adventure.
- Being a stronger resource for your family and community.
People’s lives are transformed
My goal is not to ‘fix’ people. With the help of Fire and the gifts of those sacred sites I have visited on pilgrimage as I follow in the footsteps of the ancestors, my aim is to offer deep, transformative healing.
Simple Guide
live a more balanced Life
12 Months of Coaching Online Sessions
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.
Lawrence’s affiliations include:
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.
Find me on social media
