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feature story by Kerry Rutherford
Lauie Rainey Schmidt, a counselor and shamanic practitioner living in Fort Wayne, first felt an inner spiritual calling as a child, but it wasn't until her mid twenties that she became interested in the serious study of metaphysics and spirituality. In 1989 she took a basic course from Michael Harner, the director and founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. As an anthropologist and author of The Way of the Shaman, he distilled the essence of shamanistic practices from his observations of many indiginous cultures to create what he calls Core Shamanism. These are the basic healing forms seen universally across cultures. Core Shamanism includes soul retieval, extraction healing, psychopomp work (which focuses on working with the dying and the spirits of the dead), and divination (the practice of journeying to gather information from helping spirits).
Laurie became a member of the Foundatino of Shamanic Studies and, while she as studying for her Masters in Counseling, another pivotal moment came when she read an article in the Foundatoin's newsletter written by Sandra Ingerman, a psychologist who practiced shamanism and who independently rediscovered the practice of soul retrieval. Laurie noted, "After reading the article, a light went on and I knew that this was what I was called to do with my life." For the past fifteen years Laurie has studied with various shamans and shamanic teachers, including the Foundation for Shamanic Studies' three year program in Celtic shamanism wth Tom Cowan, as well as ongoing advanced studies with Sandra Ingerman.
Laurie's career includes seventeen years as a medical technologist, several years of work with a psychiatric hospital outpatient clinic, and since 1995 she has been in private practice where she does both counseling and shamanic work. "Shamanism has given me a deeper spiritual understanding of how the world works and also a foundation for my own spiritual practices and personal healing. I can't say I chose this path. Traditionally one is chosen by the spirits. It is a partnership, a collaboration and a calling. This is the most fulfilling work I can imagine doing."