In the latest edition of MysticMag interviews, John Brennan shares his fascinating journey from military engineering to Shamanic healing, exploring the transformative power of spirit guidance and soul retrieval. Drawing from decades of experience, John offers insights into the profound connection between Shamanism and personal healing, revealing how ancient practices can help us reconnect with our true selves and life’s purpose.
How did you get into Shamanism and what drew you to it?
I began my journey into Shamanism during an apprenticeship with a Native American elder. In 2000, he unexpectedly entrusted me with overseeing the spiritual practices of the tribe. I felt unprepared and realized I needed guidance beyond what I had. I reached out to the spirits, and, surprisingly, it worked initially. However, I recognized that more training was necessary, so I began searching for additional teachers.
Along the way, a colleague introduced me to Sandra Ingerman’s book on soul retrieval, which piqued my interest. My search continued until 2003 when I encountered Michael Harner and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I took my first course from him, which was straightforward yet astonishing. As a former military engineer, I was accustomed to logic and structure, but some experiences during the course defied explanation.
This curiosity led me to deepen my training with Michael Harner’s organization, and my fascination only grew. I even found myself bonding with nature in an unexpected way—I developed an inexplicable affinity for a group of plants. As an engineer, this seemed almost absurd to me, yet it was undeniably real and profound.
Later, I took a soul retrieval course with Sandra Ingerman, known for her book “Soul Retrieval”. During the course, we practiced finding soul parts with the help of spirits. It was a bit like a game of hide and seek, and I had a memorable experience where I found my partner on a rock in a lake, while she was on a rock in the ocean, which was pretty close. The other way around, I was in a cave in the wilderness, and she found me. She was standing 200 feet away from me. This precise, yet mystical, connection left me in awe.
After that week-long course, I returned and collaborated with an experienced practitioner to conduct a soul retrieval for a man in a mental institution. We each received three pieces of guidance from the spirit world, and two of them matched perfectly, even though we had never worked together before. This experience solidified my commitment to exploring Shamanism further, forming the foundation of my shamanic practice.
What is your approach to Shamanic healing work and what are its benefits?
My background as a military engineer ingrained in me the desire to understand how things work so I could fix them and keep them running smoothly. When I ventured into Shamanism, I approached it similarly, constantly trying to figure out exactly how it worked. But Shamanic healing operates in a way that’s beyond logical explanation—it’s part of a bigger picture. I remember landing in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee, stepping into a war zone, and silently asking for protection from a higher power. I faced a lot of danger there and came out unscathed. Looking back, I believe it was all part of a larger plan. Just like in Shamanism, life seemed to present me with stepping stones, a path that unfolded before me as I learned and experienced more.
At its core, Shamanic healing helps people resolve deep-seated issues, often rooted in early-life trauma, neglect, or energetic drains from family or relationship dynamics. By working with spirits in the spirit world, we can address these energetic imbalances and remove the obstacles holding people back from living their true purpose.
In Shamanic work, we connect back to our original wisdom, a powerful state that’s beyond the limitations we’ve picked up over the years. Through healing, we’re reconnecting with that initial wisdom we were born with, allowing us to avoid life’s pitfalls and recover from the emotional scars of the past. This work brings people back to their life’s original purpose and guides them to operate as their true selves.
What is a Power Animal Retrieval?
A Power Animal Retrieval is a very helpful Shamanic healing ceremony. A power animal is a spiritual being that provides continued protection, guidance, and assistance in various aspects of life. For example, I have power animals that protect me, others that assist in finding lost soul parts, and still others that help me work on complex healing processes. These spiritual allies each bring unique qualities and strengths to aid in different areas of healing and transformation.
One of my earliest experiences with a power animal was in 1992, and that first power animal remains with me to this day. During a gathering of fellow Shamanic practitioners, I received a call from a friend whose son had been in a serious rock-climbing accident. Seeking guidance, I connected with this power animal, and immediately, I felt reassurance. The power animal took charge, indicating that the situation was in capable hands. The young man not only recovered but went on to lead a successful life, fully returning to his health and strength. This experience was a testament to the profound support and real-world impact that these spirit helpers can have.
Power Animal Retrieval provides people with a spiritual ally, empowering them with protection, guidance, and healing in ways that are both deeply personal and transformative.
Can you walk me through one of your Soul Retrieval sessions?
A Soul Retrieval session is a powerful and essential healing practice in shamanism, based on the belief that we each carry multiple soul aspects. These include a mind soul and a body soul inherited from our parents, and an oversoul that connects us to the spirit world. When we endure traumatic events—such as a severe accident, the loss of a loved one, or experiences of emotional or physical abuse—one or more of these soul parts may detach from us, an instinctive response to pain or fear. This is often a survival mechanism, where the soul part essentially says, “I don’t want to experience this,” and leaves. The soul part doesn’t disappear, however; it remains tethered to us by a permanent, energetic link created by the oversoul, making it accessible for retrieval.
When a client comes in for a Soul Retrieval session, I first explain the process, ensuring they understand that the spirits do the true healing work. I act as a “hollow bone”—a vessel through which the spirits operate, while I facilitate the session. I’ll have the client lie down on a blanket or mat across from me, and I’ll use a drumming tape. The repetitive sound of drumming enables us to enter a trance-like state, easing the journey to the spirit world and helping us connect deeply to these lost soul aspects.
As the drumming begins, I merge with a specific power animal that aids in soul retrieval, essentially becoming one with it to access the spirit realm. Together, we journey to locations that correspond to the client’s lost soul parts. These places can appear as vivid images—such as a kitchen with a soul part atop the refrigerator or even a scenic outdoor location. Once we locate a soul part, I engage in a “dialogue” with it to confirm that it is ready to return. This is vital; we never bring back a soul part that isn’t fully willing to rejoin. Often, these soul parts have a guardian spirit, so we check if the guardian wants to accompany them on the return. Usually, the answer is yes.
When all ready, I invite the soul part and any accompanying guardian spirit to “hop on” the back of the power animal. We then search for additional soul parts until my power animal indicates that we’ve gathered enough for this session. Bringing back several soul parts at once can be energetically intense for the client, so we pace this process to support gradual integration.
Once we’ve gathered the soul parts, I prepare for the reintegration process. I collect their energy between my hands, compressing it into a single, concentrated bundle. Meanwhile, I narrate to the client what I’m experiencing and sensing: the images, sensations, and any energetic impressions. When I feel the energy ready, I ask the client for permission to touch them, typically on the sternum and then the crown chakra, the two areas where I’ll blow in the returned soul parts through my fist. Each breath restores a layer of the client’s lost energy and brings a sense of warmth, peace, or vitality.
Finally, to ground the energy, I might use a rattle around the client’s body, symbolically welcoming the soul parts back home. Sometimes, I sing a sacred song, anchoring the soul’s return and securing its presence. I then step back, allowing the client space to absorb and settle into this newfound wholeness.
A useful analogy I often share is that of a pie missing a slice. The empty space left by a lost soul part is an opening where unwanted energies can enter. Soul Retrieval not only restores that missing “slice” but also protects against any negative forces filling that space. This healing helps the client feel more complete, bringing them back into alignment with their true self and strengthening their connection to their life’s purpose.
What can you tell me about your memoir, “Brain Shift: From Head to Heart”?
In my memoir, Brain Shift: From Head to Heart, I delve into my journey from being a military engineer to a shamanic practitioner—a transition that was both life-changing and extraordinary. Over the years, people encouraged me to write about it because it’s a profound shift, moving from a highly analytical role to one rooted in spiritual and intuitive healing. Through the book, I wanted to share the remarkable experiences and awakenings I encountered along the way to show that these phenomena are real and can have a tangible impact on our lives.
I talk about some of the pivotal experiences I had, especially those rooted in shamanic ceremonies and immersive connections with nature. The landscapes of the Western United States played a big role in shaping my path, as did my experiences with Native American ceremonies, both of which deeply influenced how I practice healing today. My aim with the book was not only to share my story but also to give readers insight into how shamanic healing works. I included a bibliography and references to help readers explore these ideas further.
Essentially, Brain Shift is both a personal narrative and a guide, emphasizing that if these transformative experiences happened to me, they can happen to anyone, regardless of background. I hope it serves as an invitation to explore the world beyond the logical and into the healing powers of spirit and intuition.
To learn more about John’s work, you can visit www.shastashaman.com