Last Mask Center: Soul Loss at Ground Zero

Soul Loss at "Ground Zero"

by Christina Pratt

...a soul part stands staring at the mound, mesmerized by the energies of transformation, of life and death.

...a soul part who is nowhere and everywhere is frozen in a big splat of terror.

...a soul part is lost, wandering. "It's too much death." She's lost in the senselessness of it.

...a soul part frozen in traffic, suddenly afraid of her city. Her home has become a distorted nightmare.

...a soul part lies dead at ground zero, her only possible response to feeling so many people die so suddenly.

...a soul part, terrified of water, is swimming across the Hudson to reach safety.

...a soul part hopelessly sifting through the debris. There is no way to love all those dead back to life.

...a soul part is crushed, heartbroken by the overwhelming fact that people will do such things to other people.

...a man goes numb in traumatic overwhelm and slips from his life path.

...a soul part in flight, holding the terror. She can't find the words to let it go because its not words. It's screams, weeping, and silence.

There is no illness more serious than soul loss, from a shamanic perspective. Soul loss is caused when we experience a sudden horrific or frightening event, personal trauma, or repeated abuse. The events of September 11th caused considerable soul loss in the living. For the four weeks that followed the tragedy, I was in New York performing shamanic healings. The amount of soul loss in the ambient was off the charts, to say nothing of the numbers of the newly dead.

Soul loss, left untreated does not heal itself. In time, we simply adapt to the loss by becoming a little more guarded, fearful, and numb and a lot less vital, creative, and powerful. Lost soul parts do not return on their own.

The symptoms of soul loss can be treated through various therapeutic modalities from psychotherapy to body work, psychiatric drugs, and (everyone's favorite) "self-medication" through addictions and other compulsive behaviors. The soul loss itself is not affected by these modalities no matter how sincere and committed we are in our healing. Soul loss can be healed-completely-by an initiated shaman if you are willing to get a soul retrieval.

The interesting thing about the soul loss caused on September 11th is that there was no need for re-integration. If the soul parts have been lost for a long time, they must be re-integrated into the present day person to complete the healing process. However, the loss in September was so immediate that people had not had time to adapt.

People were transformed instantaneously by their soul retrievals. They arrived in extreme emotional states of terror, sadness, outrage, hopelessness, or simply numb (also an extreme emotional state). With the return of their soul parts, they snapped right out of it. They left their session knowing that they were safe and completely capable to handling whatever was before them. Make no mistake of the significance of this. Many of my clients live and/or work in what is now "Ground Zero".

Not everyone experienced soul loss due to the tragedy of the 11th, however most people did experience a "Quickening" regardless of their physical proximity to the disasters. A Quickening is an event that accelerates your process, for better or for ill. People who are consciously engaged in healing and self-awareness will be thrown forward along their path. This is usually an intense, but ultimately welcome transformation. People who are engaged in denial, deep dysfunction, and other acts of unconsciousness will be thrown further along that path and deeper into their own illusions and darkness. They experience their Quickening this as an affirmation of their negativity and fear and a further excuse act out and blame others.

I witnessed Quickenings that sent people both ways. Most often the Quickening events uncovered lost soul parts that weren't due to be retrieved for years, thus accelerating healing processes that were already in motion. For others the Quickening effect uncovered issues with death, victimization, or safety that people believed were resolved. In these cases self-awareness was thrust on the individual, however most were able to recognize this intensity as an opportunity for deeper healing. Then there were those who, in spite of the help of the spirit world all around them, choose to disconnect and shut down, allowing the Quickening to thrust them deeper into their denial and dysfunction. Which way were you quickened?

Most significant are the people who did not experience soul loss even as they witnessed the towers falling around them. They all had one thing in common: a working relationship with Spirit and the courage to use it. They each said the same two things to me. First, "As I watched in horror, I remembered that I know what to do in times of crisis." Then, "I did it." They reached out for their helping spirits and asked for help, protection, and guidance. Some did it because they had to; they were officially responsible for others. Others just did it and then became the responsible people in the moment, helping and leading others.

The price of that help was that they felt everything and had to be willing to really get what was going on on a large scale. But that is the nature of connection; it goes both ways. Even so, what these people got from Spirit in the context of those horrific events as nothing short of a miracle. This is the most profound teaching I received from my clients. Shamanism works. It provides a real option other then soul loss or shutting down. The helping spirits are there-particularly in times of crisis-if we will only remember, ask for help, and receive it.

Let's End Unnecessary Suffering

Soul loss creates unnecessary suffering. The sooner you address the impact of September 11th on your soul, the simpler the healing will be. The longer you wait, the more your soul loss will damage your health, both physical and mental, and your life. Your soul touches everything therefore your soul loss touches everything too. Soul loss leaves you vulnerable to the energies and intentions of others, both living and dead. Relationships in particular are deeply and adversely effected by soul loss. You may have already noticed a change in your personal or professional relationships.

There is no need to remain in a state of soul loss. It is too simple to make and appointment and get a soul retrieval. Let's work together to end unnecessary suffering. First, we need to come out of the closet and let people know that shamanism is a valid healing option. Then, offer guidance. Those of you who have experienced a soul retrieval are perfectly positioned for this. Share your experience. Let people know that there is a way out of what feels impossible.

People are suffering all around you because they do not know that soul loss is real and that retrieval is possible. Listen to your co-workers and your loved ones.

Look for the signs of soul loss:

Feeling fragmented, scattered, ungrounded, or unsafe.

Nightmares or disturbing dreams since September 11th.

Increased levels of fear or anxiety.

Acting out in familiar addictive or compulsive ways.

Return of psychological, emotional, or behavioral problems.

Shutting down, feeling numb or disconnected.

Incessant desire for revenge or violence.

Addiction to TV and other virtual realities along with a withdrawal from real life.

Feeling "I haven't been the same since 9/11..."

Risk letting people know that you understand their feelings. Share that you have felt that way too and this is what you did. Share how your soul retrieval helped you. You will be surprised how open people are and how relieved they will be to know that they are not alone. If you don't feel confident talking about shamanism, suggest that they speak to me. Give them my number (1-800-927-2527 ext. 02586) and have them leave a message. Please help to end the unnecessary suffering of the people around you.