Table of Contents

Foreword by C. Michael Smith

Introduction Calling Down the Song for Your Life

PART I
Leaving Home
1 Searching for Heart in a World of Reason
2 The Heart Path as a Hero's Journey
3 The Shaman as Guide to the Spirit World
4 Gathering around the Sacred Fire

PART II
The Descent
5 Getting Clear on Your Cargo
6 Facing Your Dragons
7 A Hard Look at Your Own Mind

PART III
Shapeshifting
8 Power from the Body and Earth
9 Power from the Eagle Mind
10 Power from the Condor Heart

PART IV
The Shamanic Journey and Return
11 The Guided Shamanic Journey
12 The Unguided Shamanic Journey
13 Bringing Your Song into the World

Appendix 1
A Full Scan of Your Spiritual Heart

Appendix 2
Mindfulness in Daily Living

How to Use the Audio Tracks That Accompany This Book

Notes

Index

About the Author

About the Author

Jeff Nixa, J.D., M.Div., is a shamanic practitioner, teacher, and writer. In 2010 he founded Great Plains Shamanic Programs, an array of counseling, healing, and education services, including one-on-one fire talks, seminars, university classes, outdoor retreats, and wilderness trips. He lives in South Bend, Indiana.

Reviews

"In this time of great change, our modern culture needs tools for finding a way back into balance with nature, soul, and spirit. Nixa leads readers along the Path of the Heart: a three-pronged approach to personal way-finding, healing, and transformation that weaves together traditional shamanism, modern soul psychology, and nature-based mindfulness practices. . . . a brilliant book that is truly innovative." * SANDRA INGERMAN, M.A., author of Soul Retrieval and Walking in the Light *
"Heart-centered living has been failing in the Western-influenced world with dire consequences for us and the earth. Nixa takes us on a journey that becomes a self-help manual for reviving our human nature through the deliberative and intuitive nurturing of our heart minds. In the process, we learn to rebalance our minds and center our spirits in life more broadly, opening ourselves to our unique gifts. It's a book for anyone ready to move forward toward self and community transformation." * Darcia Narvaez, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame *
"With metaphor and poetic prose Nixa describes practical exercises, to which everyone can relate, for implementing the ancient wisdom of complementarity both within ourselves and in the world around us. Enjoy the read, follow the guidelines, and feel the joy of legacy you can start 'leaving in your wake.'" * Four Arrows (Don Trent Jacobs, Ed.D., Ph.D.), American Indian activist and author *
"Nixa's lovely book offers both an inspirational and grounded approach that requires embracing the 'four shamanic steps of hearing, honoring, acting, and protecting as core requirements' on the navigational path of the heart." * Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D., director of Venus Rising Association for Transformation and author *
"Jeff Nixa has created a valuable spiritual field manual for discovering and attending to our inner growth work. His ability to combine the practices of core shamanism with leading-edge spiritual psychology comes from his many years of serving from the heart. If you follow Jeff's practices and programs you will experience greater ease and freedom in your life as a result of expanded consciousness and the awakening of your dormant gifts, strengths, and talents. Every page of this essential book is filled with the love he exudes in all of his work." * Michael Stone, host of KMVR's Conversations *
"The Lost Art of Heart Navigation acts as an insightful guide for the journey home to one's authentic self. It explores how the path of the shaman reconnects each of us with our soul, personal empowerment, and sacred creativity. This book is heartfelt, innovative, and greatly needed at this time." * Anna Cariad-Barrett, D.Min., author of Shamanic Wisdom for Pregnancy and Parenthood *
"The brain is loaded with neurotransmitters but so is the heart. In this remarkable book, Jeff D. Nixa helps his readers follow the path of the heart, a route well known to tribal shamans but one all but ignored in the modern world. Drawing upon ancient wisdom as well as the work of contemporary Jungian psychotherapists, Nixa provides exercises, rituals, and tools that are informative, visionary, and--most important--transformational." * Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., coauthor of The Voice of Rolling Thunder *
"Relying on the wisdom of helper spirits, Jeff Nixa has designed The Lost Art of Heart Navigation to serve as a guide for those of us seeking purpose and meaning in our lives. With valuable tools such as breathing meditations, guided imagery, and outdoor moving meditation Jeff leads us through the challenges of modern life and into our own heart path. Join me on the adventure of saying yes to our heart's invitations!" * Terri Hebert, Ed.D., assistant professor of science education at Indiana University *