Narrye Caldwell

Narrye Caldwell, MTCM, L.Ac.

My shamanic path began in childhood. I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, where I spent hours nestled among the sturdy limbs of the great Copper Beech tree in our front yard. It was to this tree, with my face pressed against its rough grey bark, that I whispered my dreams, cried out my sorrows, and confessed my fears and deepest secrets. I always thought of this majestic tree as my grandmother, though I kept this sacred relationship to myself, fearing no one would understand the truth of the matter.

Forty years later I had the good fortune to discover the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. After taking the Basic Workshop I knew I had found my spiritual home and true work. The methods I learned through the Foundation’s programs over the next 15 years changed my life.

Before that turning point, I had graduated from college with a degree in journalism, gotten married and had two children, gone back to school for a graduate degree in Chinese medicine, devoted myself to the study of Chinese martial arts, and developed a private practice as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

But in spite of this rich life, there was always a missing piece. It is only with hindsight that I now see that piece so clearly; the deep connection with nature and spirits that was so vivid for me as a child was absent. As I gradually restored those lost connections through my work in core shamanism, I knew that this path was not only key to revitalizing my own healing practice and spiritual life, but was also crucial to the work of saving our endangered planet.

I have been studying core shamanism through the Foundation for the past 15 years, and have completed the advanced trainings and initiations, including the Two Week Shamanic Healing Intensive and the Three Year Program of Advanced Initiations in Shamanism and Shamanic Healing. I currently have a private practice devoted to shamanic healing, in addition to my work in Chinese medicine.

I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the FSS faculty. In addition, I continue to be faculty at Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and teach Tai Chi and Qigong through the Academy of Martial Arts in my home town of Santa Cruz, California.

Narrye's students say:

"Absolutely amazing! Narrye is gifted. She offers a peaceful, safe, explorative, loving, and enlightening space to journey and learn. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I feel as though I have come home."

"Narrye’s teaching style was very clear, practical, precise. She treated each participant respectfully and answered each question honestly and thoroughly."

"It was an incredible experience. Narrye is a great teacher. She made everyone feel comfortable and safe. It was an awesome workshop."

"Absolutely amazing and life changing. This was my first experience with shamanic studies and I had no expectations. It was life altering."