About
Jack Howard
Many years ago, at the moment of an intense and unexpected loss, I found myself in a place of emptiness and despair asking that big 3 letter question - WHY. Why did this happen to me and my family. Why this, Why at that point in my life. It was in that moment that I stepped onto my spiritual path. One that fed me just what I needed at just the right time. I had been part of traditional western religion and it did not seem to have the answers to this or the many other questions I had at the time. It has been a long path and I have been patient for the most part and persistent that I would someday arrive in a place of bliss.
That path was fairly easy to navigate over gently rolling hills, across a few small creeks and weathering a handful of severe storms. That is until just a few years ago when I felt the strong and persistent urge and calling to be in service to others. Having no idea what that meant or what form it would take, I proceeded with trust and determination. I knew it was going to be very different from my career in technology which mostly utilized the left brain and this new paradigm would need to shift to the other hemisphere.
The Universe was always working for me, as I now understand. One of my clients was a company that provided satellite television programming for backyard dish customers. As that industry gave way to DirecTV, they morphed into a broadcast network in the self development, spirituality & wellness category. My role expanded and grew into a 10+ year relationship and in the process I had access to all the popular authors and artists of the day. So as I provided technical expertise to the company and they, in turn, provided a platform for me to grow exponentially on my spiritual path. Then that path left the valley and began to journey up the mountain, where the work is harder and the fruits sweeter.
Tea & Jam:
To satisfy my desire to be in the healing world I became certified in Reiki and Reflexology as I continued by career in technology. This led to the idea of operating a healing center. The vision that came was a circular building with treatment rooms arranged radially around the center space which housed a café and common area where clients could prepare for their session or integrate their experience. That big-picture idea was before its time so I decided to start with the café and see where that would lead. It manifested as a tea house, a special place that served high quality tea, a plant medicine in its own right. Tea & Jam opened in Blacksburg, VA. Its bohemia-ish atmosphere and intentional design made for a calming and relaxing experience. Most patrons used the word 'feel' when describing their experience - how being there made them feel.
Cacao:
My personal quest for spiritual identity continued to deepen during this time. I had heard of Cacao several years prior in Costa Rica when on a personal Yoga/Surf retreat. They offered Cacao ceremony but it did not register with me - I was not ready for it. My initial experience with Cacao was in conjunction with an Ecstatic Dance event in Floyd, VA. I was ready to explore movement and dance as healing from social trauma experienced in middle school dances, where I accepted the imprints of judgement, ridicule, and fear. That experience in Floyd did in fact heal those wounds and I attributed it to the plant medicine, Cacao. By this time I'd become sensitive to signs from Source and recognized the need for Cacao as part of my journey. So began my love affair with Cacao. I studied, researched, experimented and developed a daily ritual with the plant. I completed a course to facilitate Cacao ceremonies and after a couple years of developing personal ritual and then extending to friends & family. Then I began offering them to the public. Cacao is heart-opening and heart-connecting. It has truly changed my life and allowed me to take giant leaps along my Spiritual path.
Shamanism:
My call to Shamanism came quick and convincingly. I had been receiving emails from The Four Winds Society for a while and had done some cursory review of their mission and work. Then, the call came so strong it could not be denied. I remember the moment well - I had just entered a favorite hang out spot in town and the lightening bolt hit as I sat down. I was to register for the Four Winds Shamanic Energy Medicine program. So, I did. Fully trusting Source that this was my calling. I completed the training but felt incomplete yet ready for the next chapter. I knew about Ayahuasca and its connection to Shamanism but had not been called to it - until then. I wanted the most authentic experience possible so after much research and meditation, I chose Aya Healing Retreats in Iquitos, Peru for my initial experience. And it was the right choice - every aspect of the retreat was perfect. [Pause - on the way to Peru my sister and I had already booked the Gayatri Gathering, a mantra/yoga/meditation retreat hosted by Deva Premal and Miten at Blue Spirit Retreat Center in Costa Rica. While there, I met Ray and Nina Crist, the dynamic duo of The Jaguar Path School of Shamanism. Being overwhelmed with their energy and enthusiasm, and feeling more self healing was needed, I enrolled in their school and completed that training. Back to Ayahuasca -] From Iquitos we travel by van a couple hours, then hiked an hour thru the jungle to the retreat center on the Shaman's land. They had just completed construction of housing and facilities. My experience was unique to me and not as I had read about from others. I did receive a strong 'message' to pursue Breathwork and Sound Healing. So, of course, I did.
Immediately upon returning from the jungle I followed through and registered for Breathwork training with David Elliott, and Sound Healing training with The Sound Healers Academy.
The magic of what I do is in the alchemy of integrating Cacao with the other modalities. Cacao physically/chemically opens the heart and calms the mind, preparing the body and soul to receive healing from within. Whether its Sound Healing, Shamanic Energy Healing, or Breathwork, or any combination of these, the body enters a healing state before the session even begins.
I have so much love and gratitude for all my teachers - past, present and future. Everyone’s path is unique to them. This has been my path, and I will always be on my path, always learning, expanding and exploring.
I am currently living in a van traveling the country (and world) offering my services to yoga studios, retreats, festivals and privately. I would love to chat about hosting an event in your space…
Peace and Love!
Enjoy BEing …
Jack.
References:
Shamanic Energy Medicine:
Sound Healing:
Breathwork:
Cacao:
