Shamanic healer Inga Lamb believes that her skills can help people suffering with mental health issues. NBVM met her to find out more
by Angela Rivers.
Inside an unassuming terrace in Bruton awaits a haven of peace and calm, where Shamanic healer Inga Lamb (pictured left) practices the art of cosmic restoration and relaxation. Originally from Orkney, Inga grew up steeped in the mythology of ancient indigenous cultures, but it wasn’t until later in life that she experienced the call to train as a Shaman.
A warm, open and enthusiastic communicator, Inga explains that Shamanic healing combines the ancient and the modern to release deep, traumatic experiences and enable her clients to move on from that which is troubling them. “Einstein proposed that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another,” she says, equally enthused about particle physics as she is about the functions of the various chakras. “The process of shamanic healing accesses this energy on a higher state of consciousness, unblocking the energetic flow and enabling the client to rewire neural pathways and overcome trauma. Put simply, if you were bitten by a dog as a child, I can take you back to that moment. I will help your adult self heal that child and recover mentally and physically from that trauma.”
Shamanic tools
Arriving for a taste of what Shamanic healing entails, I am presented with a selection of tarot cards, crystals, feathers, incense and Shamanic tools – all selected at apparent random from Inga’s collection and there as a jumping-off point to start our conversation and open my mind to the signals around me. “There’s no right or wrong, simply the decision made or action taken in the moment,” Inga explains when I ask how she chose these items. Unusually, I love the incense she is burning today – and I’m incredibly sensitive to scents – so maybe there’s something in her method. I choose a tarot card to prompt today’s session because there’s nothing pressing that I want to work on right now. The card symbolises worry, quite aptly given the crises that are playing out in the country around me.
“My work as a Shaman is largely out of my control,” explains Inga. “I am merely the interpreter between worlds, until my clients develop the tools and experience to access their higher consciousness alone.” Indeed, the journey of Shamanic healing is one with an end-point, because the Shaman’s goal is to ultimately set free their clients, and take joy in their flight. This firm belief in her healing power has lead Inga to offer sessions on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis, because she wants her skills to be available to anyone who might benefit from them.
Shamanic sessions are intended to be emotionally cleansing, and they require active participation from the clients. While I found the process incredibly relaxing, it’s not as passive as other energy-based alternative therapies like reiki and acupuncture, for instance. It’s definitely the case that you get out what you put in, but I never felt under pressure to commit or reveal more than I was comfortable to.
I began my journey snugly tucked under a blanket on Inga’s sofa. Closing my eyes, I joined Inga in some deep breathing, which worked to calm my busy brain and connect mind and body once again. As she began drumming and chanting, Inga asked me to visualise a staircase and, walking down it, to imagine I was travelling back through my life. I was to continue walking until I discovered a moment of worry – Inga assured me I would simply know when I had reached that point, and not to think too deeply!
Mindfulness meditation
The cocooning warmth, slow rhythmic drumming and Inga’s voice felt very much like a guided meditation. If you’re someone who struggles with mindfulness and wants to slow their pace a little, I can see how this experience would be incredibly beneficial. Inga holds your attention and is by your side throughout the experience, which helps to focus your concentration and moves you into a state of deep relaxation. For those hoping to work on deeply held trauma, Inga’s calming presence, in turn watched over by her own spirit guides, would I imagine create a feeling of safety.
The Shamanic element of the session provides a framework that brings together elements of the mental, physical and spiritual worlds and helps to transport your mind to a higher plane. This is a holistic approach to healing, and self-care tips such as smoothie recipes and gentle yoga exercises form part of the care Inga offers all her clients.
Her passion and compassion is clear from our brief meeting; Inga is a Shaman on a mission to restore the natural harmony between our bodies and minds.
I have experienced several of Inga’s sessions now. Part of the process is to clap when your mind is thinking about positive situations that you want to manifest. It’s not something think about but I have found myself clapping spontaneously in places as such as the supermarket, shower and even on waking up in the morning. It’s like I am putting in book marks at important positive thoughts that I need to remember to encourage more positive thought processes- it’s simple and fantastic.