Teachings from the Spirits
Susan Mokelke, songwriter
| BACKGROUND |
Songs and shamanism came to me about the same
time. In 1995, I was undergoing a major life transition
and actively seeking answers about my life and
purpose. I discovered music calling to me. I began to
play with an old guitar, learning notes and chords. All
in the spirit of play, I experimented with lyrics and then
music for the lyrics. And, one day in May of 1995, I
discovered that I had written a song! This was an
amazing experience of total joy. I trusted it because it
was beyond logic: There was no logical reason for me
-- a former lawyer and educator -- to suddenly take up
songwriting.
time. In 1995, I was undergoing a major life transition
and actively seeking answers about my life and
purpose. I discovered music calling to me. I began to
play with an old guitar, learning notes and chords. All
in the spirit of play, I experimented with lyrics and then
music for the lyrics. And, one day in May of 1995, I
discovered that I had written a song! This was an
amazing experience of total joy. I trusted it because it
was beyond logic: There was no logical reason for me
-- a former lawyer and educator -- to suddenly take up
songwriting.
To me, the songs were a magical gift from the spirits. The vision I saw was of people
singing the songs together for inspiration and healing. In order to honor the gift, I
plunged into an intense learning process. I took music theory classes, voice and
guitar lessons, and trained myself in music production. I moved through fears and
doubts. I was inspired by joy to be a competent vessel for the music.
About the same time songs stirred within, I was called to shamanism and my
shamanic training proceeded in parallel. I took courses with The Foundation for
Shamanic Studies, (FSS) and eventually enrolled in the Three Year Program in
Advanced Shamanism. I journeyed often for direction about the songwriting. Each
step of the way I was guided. Wonderful synchronicities occurred in ordinary reality.
Even the disappointments (in retrospect!) were valuable because they kept me on
the right path for my own soul's journey. I was touched by the spirits' trust, and
infinitely moved by the joy of the songs coming through me.
As time passed, I discovered that some of my best songs came to me when I was
writing on behalf of a specific person who needed healing and inspiration. Recently,
I found a helping spirit in the Upper World, who said she was an ancestor of mine
and she would bring the songs to me. She was accompanied by an animal spirit who
is now a power animal of mine. With the appearance of this ancestor, my shamanic
practice has become fully joined with the songwriting. When I am seeking a healing
or power song for someone, I journey to my ancestor and ask her for a song. The
spirits have been generous, and I look forward to continuing to explore this creative
and healing fusion of songwriting and shamanism.
In 2001, I was privileged to have the Foundation for Shamanic Studies offer to be the
Executive Producer for a set of songs, which became Teachings from the Spirits. For
the 2002 membership year, Teachings was only available through FSS as a gift to
members. In 2003, the CD became available for general distribution.
Some of the songs in Teachings from the Spirits came to me in dreams, some were
inspired by an intriguing phrase read or overheard. Some came as a result of an
experience in a shamanic workshop; some were given to me in journeys. All of the
songs, I was told by my ancestor, are "teachings from the spirits." May the songs
help to awaken, inspire, enlighten, and heal you.
singing the songs together for inspiration and healing. In order to honor the gift, I
plunged into an intense learning process. I took music theory classes, voice and
guitar lessons, and trained myself in music production. I moved through fears and
doubts. I was inspired by joy to be a competent vessel for the music.
About the same time songs stirred within, I was called to shamanism and my
shamanic training proceeded in parallel. I took courses with The Foundation for
Shamanic Studies, (FSS) and eventually enrolled in the Three Year Program in
Advanced Shamanism. I journeyed often for direction about the songwriting. Each
step of the way I was guided. Wonderful synchronicities occurred in ordinary reality.
Even the disappointments (in retrospect!) were valuable because they kept me on
the right path for my own soul's journey. I was touched by the spirits' trust, and
infinitely moved by the joy of the songs coming through me.
As time passed, I discovered that some of my best songs came to me when I was
writing on behalf of a specific person who needed healing and inspiration. Recently,
I found a helping spirit in the Upper World, who said she was an ancestor of mine
and she would bring the songs to me. She was accompanied by an animal spirit who
is now a power animal of mine. With the appearance of this ancestor, my shamanic
practice has become fully joined with the songwriting. When I am seeking a healing
or power song for someone, I journey to my ancestor and ask her for a song. The
spirits have been generous, and I look forward to continuing to explore this creative
and healing fusion of songwriting and shamanism.
In 2001, I was privileged to have the Foundation for Shamanic Studies offer to be the
Executive Producer for a set of songs, which became Teachings from the Spirits. For
the 2002 membership year, Teachings was only available through FSS as a gift to
members. In 2003, the CD became available for general distribution.
Some of the songs in Teachings from the Spirits came to me in dreams, some were
inspired by an intriguing phrase read or overheard. Some came as a result of an
experience in a shamanic workshop; some were given to me in journeys. All of the
songs, I was told by my ancestor, are "teachings from the spirits." May the songs
help to awaken, inspire, enlighten, and heal you.
Susan Mokelke, songwriter
