| This study was designed to measure the process of change during and following the shamanistic intervention of soul retrieval. From a Western perspective, the theory of soul retrieval suggests that when fragmented, forgotten aspects of self, i.e., aspects of self previously split off or lost from consciousness, are recovered, there is an increase in vitality. The transpersonal process of soul retrieval was considered and discussed in this study from a Jungian perspective. Six participants (3 men, 3 women) who expressed having experienced decreased vitality for at least 3 years, in some cases following particularly difficult personal experiences, were involved in this study. Participants engaged individually in a soul retrieval process with a shamanistic practitioner for 6 sessions, and returned a month following the 6th session for follow-up testing and interview. Phenomenological experiencing of the participants was captured by a process research design which incorporated "within session" measures of experiencing (the Experiencing Scale) as well as outcome measures (the Myers-Briggs Personality Typology, the Gordon Personal Profile-Inventory, and the C. G. Jung Word Association Test). For the statistical component of the study, a repeated measures t-test was used to compare the results of the measures used in the study at intake vs. follow-up. The t-test showed that following the soul retrieval process, participants demonstrated a significant increase in their self-esteem, in their intuition, and in their ability to articulate their self-experiencing. Participants also moved in the direction of greater vitality, more feeling, and increased extraversion. Self-report supported and expanded on testing results. The limited N prohibits broad generalizations from the findings; nonetheless, the measurable changes reported by participants and as indicated in follow-up testing, suggests that the ancient (40,000+ years) healing tradition of soul retrieval can be an empowerment model of therapeutic intervention with some individuals in the modern world. All participants voiced having acquired the tools from involvement in the shamanistic process that they need in order to continue their healing work. Further study is recommended to research in greater depth the efficacy of the healing tradition of soul retrieval. It may be that by attending to and focusing on the needs of the soul, this ancient healing modality addresses an essential aspect of the healing process of modern (wo)man. |
