LAWRENCE MESSERMAN, Ph.D.

The Value of a Tradition to Support Healing

DEEP ROOTS OF WIXÁRIKA TRADITION
TO HELP INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS FLOURISH

The value of a tradition

to support healing

AS A MARA’AKAME OR HEALER AND RITUAL LEADER IN THE WIXÁRIKA TRADITION, LAWRENCE IS PART OF AN ANCESTRAL PATH THAT HAS EXISTED FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

The Wixrárika (or Huichol as they are also known) still follow the “original instructions” about how to be joyfully in relationship with the living world. Their wisdom comes from following in the footsteps of their ancestors and honoring the Divine through regular cycles of pilgrimage to sacred sites and other rituals. Working from this solid foundation, the mara’akame can support the deepest healing for those in need.

Getting to the Root of the Problem:

Like many older traditions, the Wixárika see most ‘dis-ease’ originating at the spiritual level. Oftentimes, the mind itself gets in the way of the body’s natural capacity for healing. The task of the mara’ákame is to find the source of the symptoms and to clean away or help release this basic imbalance. Healing can also involve ritual and almost always includes changes in one´s life. This work can produce profound improvement at the spiritual, psychological, and physical levels. For clients, the result can be a whole new level of well-being!

Benefiting from the Wisdom of Elders:

Being part of a tradition means learning from elders and being accountable to them. Elders are those who have walked the path longer and who have demonstrated their wisdom and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. Lawrence’s elders include Tsaurirrika (elder shamans) Eliot Cowan, David C. Wiley, Don José Sandoval, and Don Efrén González Carrillo. In addition, Lawrence receives guidance from a traditional Council of Elders, or Kawitero, under the auspices of Grupo Tatewari. They ensure that Lawrence follows a strict code of ethics, is committed to life-long learning, and remains in good standing with the tradition.

Tending Fire:

In many traditions, Fire is associated with heart and transformation. While the mind works in concepts and can lead us to feel separate from the world, the heart is where we experience our connection to each other, our ancestors, and the vast, mysterious tapestry of creation. ‘Tending fire’ is about balancing the creative gift of the mind with the deeper knowing of the heart. When heart and mind work together in a good way, then we feel vibrant and ready to take on new challenges to benefit ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Don Efrén González Carrillo &
Lawrence in their Wixárika
ceremonial outfits or trajes.

Who is a good candidate for Wixárika Healing?

Those open to alternative forms of healing. Believing in the medicine is NOT necessary, but one who has grave reservations about spiritual healing will have a harder time benefitting from it.

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TRADITIONAL HEALING

in a GROUP SETTING:

Initiated Firekeepers for Sacred Fire offer monthly community fires.

In addition to his role as a mara’akame, Lawrence and his wife, Jessica De la O are initiated Firekeepers under the auspices of the international organization, Sacred Fire. Along with their colleague Sherry Boatright, they hold monthly community fires in Carrollton, GA, USA.

Sitting around a sacred fire is the world’s oldest form of medicine and ritual: Our early ancestors began gathering around the fire at least 800,000 years ago. Around the fire, they shared the sacred stories that gave life meaning and helped them to maintain their deep connection to each other and the world around them.

Today, this ancient practice can once again be experienced as a source of healing and wisdom.

Offerings are made to the fire in the Wixárika tradition. Once the fire is consecrated, the Firekeeper facilitates a space where PEOPLE CAN share what is important in their lives.

One of the great gifts of Fire is transformation: Just as it did for our ancestors, Fire can ‘burn away’ burdens and difficulties and leave us feeling lighter with a sense of greater possibilities for our lives. People from all spiritual backgrounds are welcome!

Interested in attending community fires in Carrollton, Georgia?

INDIVIDUAL HEALING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. ULTIMATELY THOUGH, OUR WELL-BEING DEPENDS ON THE STRENGTH OF OUR CONNECTIONS. ATTENDING A SACRED FIRE IS A TIME-TESTED WAY TO DEEPEN OUR CONNECTION TO OTHERS AND THE WORLD AROUND US.

Fire brings help to humanity at a time of Chaos and uncertainty

Lawrence Messerman

Lawrence Messerman is an initiated healer and ritual leader in the Wixárika tradition and offers individual shamanic healing sessions as well as collective transformation through regular fire gatherings.

Lawrence also shares his wisdom and insight through teaching fires, online counseling sessions, and online classes.

Healing sessions
  • Wixárika Traditional Shamanic Healing.
  • Deeply transformational experiences in person.
  • In the presence of Fire.
Monthly SACRED Fires
  • A safe space to be seen and witness others.
  • Creating movement and opportunity where there is difficulty or stagnation.
  • Experience a more joyful connection to others and the world.
Online Counseling
  • Individualized guidance to help you thrive.
  • Long distance.
  • Follow up to make sure you’re on track.
Online Classes
  • Opportunities for group learning & growth.
  • A perspective and practices that support healing
  • Connecting to heart and living wisely.

Here’s what people say about Lawrence

As a Healer, Firekeeper, and Counselor.

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At a recent teaching fire, Larry sat with the members of our circle and in a very short time got to the core of why we all wanted to be around the fire. No one needed to ask questions, as he had answered them for us in his beautiful stories and observations from his heart.

Looking out at the people, faces illuminated by the flames, I could feel a very gentle and even energy flowing from the fire to us all and back to Grandfather Fire.
Don McVay
SANTA CRUZ, CA
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Larry is such a skillful mediator. He helped resolve a heated issue between two people in my community, and I was privileged to be a part of the beautiful resolution that took place. There was healing for all of us who witnessed and took part in supporting this.

It was moving to watch how gently and artfully Larry guided us all to express our feelings and find a natural, heartfelt resolution.
Maxima Kahn
GRASS VALLEY, CA
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Larry’s gentle yet secure way of addressing any issue brings about healing energy with his simple presence. He is compassionate & empathic. His innate capacity to soothe complicated matters opens new pathways of interaction with the intricate relationships in life and the beyond, which facilitates us opening up to allow ourselves to look at those dark places we all need to tend to, if we want to grow, heal and learn. Thank you Larry!
Leticia Gamboa
TEPOZTLÁN, MEXICO

Sitting around the fire can change the world!

Do you want to attend a sacred fire, but live far away from Carrollton, Georgia? Initiated Firekeepers offer community fires each month in locations in seven countries (and growing). Find out where by clicking here. Or even better, consider becoming a Firekeeper and offer this amazing gift to others!

These fires help people reconnect to themselves, each other, and the natural world to live a life of relationships, awareness, and purpose—not only for themselves but for all of humanity. Through the shared experience of the influence of fire as a source of wisdom and transformation, people can achieve the balance they seek amid the challenges of today’s society.

Enhance Your Life With Online Courses To Explore How To Become A Better Version Of Yourself

Individual healing is best supported by wiser ways of living and more active engagement with others and the living world around us.

Larry is a true and trusted guide. With compassion and humor, he listens deeply and provides valuable assistance on my path. I highly recommend his medicine to others.
— Jennifer, Grass Valley, CA
Larry is a fantastic healer and shaman! He helped me through a very difficult and emotional period of my life. He did this with caring, gentleness, and genuineness.
— Jessica, Seattle, WA

This Medicine is
for you if…

  • You are willing to take responsibility for your well-being and growth.
  • You are open to guidance and the possibility of seeing your life in a completely new way.
  • Once you receive guidance, you have the dedication to put it into practice.
  • You accept a holistic approach to healing that views your whole life–including your past, current relationships, physical and emotional state, dreams, aspirations, etc.–as relevant.

This Medicine is NOT
for you if…

  • You are impatient and are looking for a ‘quick fix.’ Miracles can happen, but healing is most often a journey that takes time and sometimes more than one session.
  • You expect to be healed without active participation on your part.
  • You are unwilling to see your role in any challenges you face.
  • You are seeking my help mainly to satisfy someone else who thinks you should.
  • You lack discipline or self-awareness to make needed changes in your life.
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Living From Heart As A More Fulfilling Way Of Being

From a traditional perspective, the heart is not just an organ that circulates blood! It also represents the basic aspect of human nature that connects us to others, the world, and ultimately Divine. Heart is meant to guide us while the mind figures out the details. A life guided by heart is a life that embraces and benefits from transformation. The results include: 

  • A stronger sense of who you are and what you’re meant to bring forth in life.
  • Feeling more vibrant and alive.
  • Being more resilient when you have setbacks–which are a natural part of living.
  • Feeling more deeply connected to others and the natural world.
  • A life of constant learning and adventure.
  • Being a greater resource for your family, friends, and community.

People’s lives are transformed

My goal is not to address symptoms. With the help of Fire and the gifts of those sacred sites I have visited on pilgrimage as I follow in the footsteps of the ancestors, I offer deep, transformative healing.

–Lawrence (Larry) Messerman

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Frequently asked questions

Have a question? Here are some answers to some common ones. But feel free to contact me directly if you cannot find an answer to your question here.

For tens of thousands of years, various cultures all over the world have practiced shamanic healing. It is a form of spiritual healing that can also profoundly impact the body and mind. Traditional shamanic healing is rooted in ancestral wisdom that has persisted over many generations because, simply put, it works!

You should plan to meet around a consecrated fire–which becomes Fire—an important spiritual presence that supports deep healing (transformation) in the Wixárika tradition. Particularly in our first session, I will want to get to know you better and ask questions about your background and any challenges to your health. The Fire and my feathers (muvieris) will help me to ‘see’ to the root of those challenges and to know what needs to be removed so that I can live a flourishing life.

No, no form of healing is for everyone! Traditional healing is for those who have a degree of openness. You need not “understand” the medicine, but if you have a strong conviction that only modern allopathic medicine is legitimate, well, you should probably go consult a physician! If you do choose to see me as a client, I will do my utmost to support your healing with the gifts that I have been given.

Clients often report feeling lighter and more positive after a treatment. While miracles are possible, traditional healing is not a “magic pill” The patterns that produce ‘dis-ease’ can be deep-seated and pervasive. For most people, healing is a journey that takes commitment and may require additional treatments as well as life-style changes so that the problem that brings you to me does not return.

Traditional healing works at a deep level that can have a profound impact on your life. If you are living out of balance, it will be disruptive, and this can be particularly unsettling to the mind, which always wants to stay in control. People who have a history of severe mental illness (psychosis) are not always ideal candidates for my work, but in such cases, I may be able to make a helpful referral. Traditional healing can, however, be tremendously beneficial to the vast majority of us—particularly in this day and age—who suffer from more common forms of mental illness like chronic anxiety and depression.

Lawrence’s affiliations include: