About Me

Yes, I am of Irish descent and for generations my family has kept our Druid heritage alive by passing down traditions, myths, and rites from oldest son to oldest son. I am also a college professor, and a shamanic practitioner. I earned a Ph. D. from Washington State University in 1989. I also received an N.D. degree and certification as an advanced nutritional consultant and master herbalist from the Trinity College of Natural Health. In addition I earned a 500 hour certificate of proficiency with highest honors in Ayurvedic medicine from The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine/Institute of Indian Medicine. I have been practicing Qi Gong for over 17 years, and am a Reiki Master. Part of my heritage is to use the healing power of energy and nature. It has been a part of my life for over six decades.
I lived and worked in Bolivia and Perú for over six years which is where I was initially trained in Andean Shamanism. My teacher, Don Juan Carlos Medrano Jimenez initiated my as a mesayoq (altar carrier or shaman) in Bolivia in 1996. I worked under and learned from a number of traditional shamans in the Andean highlands over the years however Don Juan Carlos was, from 1971 until 1996, was my primary teacher. I first met him in Betanzos, Bolivia. I also lived and worked in Mexico for about two years, and worked in The Philippines, Central Asia (the former USSR), the Middle East, and Eastern Europe where I also studied healing traditions and earth-based spirituality.
I lived and worked in Bolivia and Perú for over six years which is where I was initially trained in Andean Shamanism. My teacher, Don Juan Carlos Medrano Jimenez initiated my as a mesayoq (altar carrier or shaman) in Bolivia in 1996. I worked under and learned from a number of traditional shamans in the Andean highlands over the years however Don Juan Carlos was, from 1971 until 1996, was my primary teacher. I first met him in Betanzos, Bolivia. I also lived and worked in Mexico for about two years, and worked in The Philippines, Central Asia (the former USSR), the Middle East, and Eastern Europe where I also studied healing traditions and earth-based spirituality.
Credentials:
- Naturopathic Doctor, Trinity College of Natural Health
- Board Certified by the American Alternative Medical Association as an Alternative Medical Practitioner
- Advanced Certified Nutrition Consultant, Trinity School of Natural Health
- Master Herbalist Certification, Trinity College of Natural Health
- Certificate of Proficiency in Ayurvedic Medicine with highest honors from The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine/Institute of Indian Medicine
- Ordained Buddhist monk in the Hongaku Jodo Pure Land tradition
- Certified Qigong Teacher, American Dragon Gate Lineage, Qigong & Daoist Training Center
- Traditional Reiki Master
- Second Degree Priest, Correllian Nativist Tradition
- Fulbright Scholar in Peru, 1993
- Ph. D. in accounting with minors in statistics and finance, Washington State University
- Native English speaker, fluent technical Spanish, once good but now very rusty Quechua