Study Groups and Lodges
Centers for Ceremony and the Study of Shamanism
All over the world, lodges and study groups affiliated with the DTMMS offer teachings, educational workshops, lectures, ongoing classes, ceremonial opportunities, publications and learning tools for the pursuit of personal wholeness and the study of shamanism.
Study Groups | Lodges | Lectures | Vision QuestsStudy Groups
Study Groups are the nucleus family of our tribe. They historically originated in the gathering together circles around the campfire, where the people gathered for story telling. The attraction was that they would be exposed to new concepts, and given practical tools and techniques to help change their life. This is what fed them. They came whenever they needed more, for here they could test the waters of their curiosity with no demand for further commitment. So it is with our Study Groups.
Lodges
The Lodges are the clans within our tribe. They originated in the village gatherings at the sacred fire. Here the story-tellers would come monthly to disseminate the knowledge that they had gathered in their travels and that demanded decisive action. For those who made the determination to apprentice, these gatherings at the sacred fire became the backbone of going for the more, going for that which lay beyond.
Lectures
Lecturing grew out of the tales of wandering storytellers. As those who twist their hairs gathered experiences, their stories spoke of what brought meaning and purpose to life. The stories carried the teachings and the ways of the path they walked. As they wandered and told their stories, they invited the people to come back to the campfire for more. When the storyteller stayed in one place long enough, the people who engaged were invited to gather at the sacred fire.
Ceremonial Vision Quests and Journeys
Since always and for always, people have gathered together for ceremony in order to quest for their vision. Ceremony strengthens the will of the people to remain individual, autonomous and free. When we travel to power spots, we connect to the lineage of those who have gone before. Since always, the travel from one power spot to another was a part of the ceremonial gateway process, the journey of self. On these journeys people from all levels gathered together.