This year my life was changed in the following ways by the teaching on The Way of the Melissae workshop and the Arte Triptych Melissae training:
I feel restored to wholeness as a woman. I am much more authentic. I no longer wear a mask. I am my own authority. I am connected to my body more deeply than I thought you could be. I have access to its knowledge. I sense myself connected to the Cosmos, having felt expelled for as long as I can remember. I am part of a treasured sisterhood. I have more energy and my internal engine is running. I have recovered my dignity. And I have the tools to maintain these changes. After the training was over I wondered deeply, how had the teachers facilitated such ruthless life transformation in such a gentle and nurturing way? In the body of the hive I encountered dark and life-obstructing aspects of myself. I was truly seen.
There was no escape. There was instead a warm invitation to take my first steps towards the expansion of my life with the powerful teachers, practices and tools of the Melissae. It felt like giving birth to the truth of myself and my connections, within a greater womb. “This work is the truest manifestation of love that I know,” a teacher once told us. We worked hard, but at the same time I experienced profound rest in the sacred, loving space that was held for us. The teachers guided us to bring the same quality to our sisterhood. I felt them very alive to our needs as individuals, and as a group; they never asked us to do more than we were able, and would change their plans if they sensed we needed it. This helped us trust them and reveal ourselves, with joyful results. The Teachers have innate authority because they embody so fully what they teach. I felt completely safe in the knowledge of their experience as I dropped into the work. They taught us impeccably, and with an exquisite economy of words – those words spoken with “the silver tongue of poetry”. The depth of their knowledge was clear when they would answer our questions, and their generosity in making themselves available for questions by e-mail. And they are very patient and eloquent with their linear students. Thank you – I am now entering fully, and with excitement and joy, the third part of my life!
Post Script: I was very worried before my first visit to The Sacred Trust Centre that we’d be sent off into the woods without enough to eat, and I would get cold at night! In actuality, one is looked after physically as one is looked after spiritually; I was never more comfortable, the surroundings are beautiful and inspiring – full of Simon’s books and art – while chef Anna’s cooking is legendary.
Helena Partridge
Intuitive Painting Facilitator
Within the various courses that comprise trainings along the Path of Pollen, the Sacred Trust creates a poetically-charged space of advanced learning and transformation, through which each participant experiences a wakening of her own interior constellation of personal, physical and environmental knowledge. The practice comes alive in us: we do it, we be it. Like honey, the work is alchemical; sweet, dark, rational, intense, delightful, at times ecstatic. I know of no other experience of discovery in which the teachers have such innate trust that each student will ‘get it,’ and evolve in her own way.
They give utter focus and energy to the work, and their handling of the timing and intention of the material is absolutely crisp, and yet they also dare to be moved by what spontaneously occurs. They do not maintain ‘expert’ distance—their hearts are involved…yet they are experts in seeing into the soul of each student: that which is stunted and needs more light, that which is fly-away, and could use a push from the dark. I remember many times when one or the other would show an uncanny ability to keep the group in balance so that the work could proceed to best effect: injecting a bit of venom and sting so we didn’t veer off into preciousness, or adding the honey of raucous laughter when we were getting ragged from so much intensity. It was thrilling to be taught by two women who are so present, and I am ever thankful to have gained a body of authentic practice that will sustain me, lifelong. The Melissae trainings have been pivotal in altering my body and relationships, but also I have done some of my most profound shamanic work ever, advancing beyond myself, far past my own strategies of safety and identity. Through the soulful and unique Arte Triptych Melissae, I have been engaged with the re-enchantment of the world.
Jill Bredal
Artist
Before attending The Shaman’s Gnosis I was a human see-saw, pivoted to rise either to extreme heights or fall to extreme depths, with my greatest suffering being the ‘not knowing’ who I was and why I was here. It is now a month since I attended this workshop and far from losing myself, I have found that not only do I now know who I am, but that I like who I am very, very much! And it wasn’t just me I met on The Shaman’s Gnosis; I was part of an amazing circle of real people who worked equally as diligently and tirelessly as me throughout the intensely challenging work to finally know, without a doubt, who we truly are.
Melody Wood
For anyone who has heard the call, and wishes to explore the amazing experience of communing with sacred spirits and walking through the veil into non-ordinary reality, we highly recommend The Sacred Trust. We have had wonderful and life-changing experiences training with Simon Buxton, who brings an astonishing knowledge of indigenous cultures and shamanic techniques to the magical courses that he runs. Whatever your level of experience, you are guaranteed to learn new tools to enable you to heal yourself, others and mother earth, in a safe, compassionate and professional way. We have studied under Simon’s gentle and expert guidance over the last five years and the profound impact of these courses has been unforgettable. To study with a brilliant shaman such as Simon is an honour, and you will truly enjoy every moment.
Andy Roede and Lesley Martin
Health and Safety Consultant, Nutritionist and Kinesiologist
When I reflect upon The Sacred Trust I feel a deep sense of honour and privilege that I met with their ways. They really know what they are doing and carry out the work with impeccable integrity, holding and beauty. The Professional Shamanic Practitioner Training was life changing for me. Challenging? Yes! But in such a positive and true way that has been extremely profound. In fact the training represented a massive healing of my life which has expanded and deepened beyond that which I could ever have imagined. This sacred work is so needed in the world today, both personally, in our communities and for the natural world, and if you feel called to exploring shamanism I can whole-heartedly recommend The Sacred Trust to you.
Brian Anderson
Counsellor and Shamanic Practitioner
Having studied shamanism for over ten years prior to training with The Sacred Trust I thought I had it all sussed – but I didn’t. Yet as I sat there in London participating in The Way of the Shaman course I saw something that truly inspired me at a profound level, and it wasn’t Simon Buxton, it was one of his practitioners. She presented me with a beautiful mirror that showed me who I wanted to be. My route was not direct. I completed the Soul Retrieval Training, the Death, Dying and Beyond workshop and the Extraction Training before applying to do the Professional Shamanic Practitioner Training. Having done some of the work previously was a great advantage and allowed me to approach the practitioner training work from a totally different perspective – truly I hit the ground running. As for everything else well, the setting of The Sacred Trust Centre is magical, the food a culinary delight and the course contents jammed packed with information, wisdom and proven methods for becoming a compassionate and successful practitioner. As for the woman who inspired me. Well, I became that woman. I always was that woman; I just needed Simon Buxton to remind me of it.
Venita Payne
Shamanic practitioner
Spiritual guidance had for me been lifetime search filled with fear and worry to find the right people to trust. Where are the right teachers? How am I going to trust the process? After years looking I found The Sacred Trust and received exactly what it says: sacred trust — and so much more. Through precise techniques and exercises the teachings are shared with grace, beauty, love, care, accuracy and a real concern for the students. I have been following teachings at The Sacred Trust for three years and have learnt to walk ever deeper into my journey, supported at all times by my guides and teachers, whether I was physically present working or at home.
The bond created amongst the students and with the teachers is genuine, real and leaves no room for self indulgence. The work is led and executed impeccably, with profound respect for the tradition and spirits.
I found what I have searched for so long: true guidance to my true self and at the highest of standards. I was safe to start my journey into the unknown, held by dedicated and beautiful souls at the service of spirits. I found so much help and healing when I most needed it, I learnt to walk my walk with the most exquisite guides I could ever expect. I have been given invaluable tools, tempered with unconditional love to continue upon my journey. With Simon Buxton, Kate Shela and their companion staff, you always receive just what you need, just when you need it.
Sophie Meyer
Filmmaker
I started my shamanic work as a student with The Sacred Trust some six years ago, For the last two years I have been an assistant on the Darkness Visible course and on The Way of the Shaman weekend workshop. The key word for me is service: To Spirit, to the Sacred Trust itself and to the students who are drawn to embrace this sacred work. Such a small act brings back huge rewards for me. Partly, this is due to being continually exposed to the work, the subtle ‘plus’ of assisting over an ongoing period of time. As well as that, I can state that Simon Buxton teaching is always undertaken as a total act, driven by spirit, love and a profound connection with shamanism. As an assistant, I aim to apply the same parameters to my share of the work, which in turn delivers benefits into my life. Truly, being an assistant is like being a student in disguise! On a more practical level, there is always great support for the assistants from the teachers and from other assistants. There are challenges as well: knowing when to use our own initiative is one; being able to negotiate and iron out whatever divergences may rise with other assistants, is another one. These are very useful transferable skills and important mirrors — if one is willing to see. I would like to share what I wrote at the end of a recent Darkness Visible course, an experiential account of precious spiritual realisations that speak further of the benefits of being there:
What I like about the darkness workshop is the homogeneous and heterogeneous nature of the group. On the one hand, the circle, the presence of spirit, the teachers’ ethics of meeting everybody on equal grounds, creates one body, an amoeba moving in Ordinary Reality whilst working to invite the presence and the experience of another reality.
On the other hand, it remains a unique, unfathomable, individual experience.
I am included in any stage. The students navigate their internal and external spaces and so do I, assessing my perceptions and my views, moving inevitably towards perceiving all as ‘human souls’, just that, nothing else.
Once again, we are one.
Spirit permeates everything, performing and transforming in secret.
It is sacred.
The students drop further and further in the arms of the Non-Ordinary, and so do I. I do when I am called to share silence with greater care and love. I do when the vibration increases and more subtle energies are present. I breathe them in, silently, and in silence I thank the students for what they carry and hold.
My heart overflows. I melt, and I am no more
Marta Niccolai PhD
Teaching fellow at UCL, shamanic practitioner
Having attended several courses over several years with The Sacred Trust I can say that these have provided me with some of the most powerful, challenging, and memorable experiences that will live with me always. I experienced a real sense of integrity and passion for this work, and felt guided and supported throughout by teachers whom I value and respect. A key element in work of this nature is Trust – Sacred Trust – and I believe this to be a most appropriate name.
Gary Molnár
There was a wonderful moment that I experienced during a Sacred Trust course when I realised that I no longer needed to be a ‘workshop junkie’! I had finally arrived in every sense of the word, at a place where I could and would at last learn to step into full being. The inspiration comes not only from the ancient and sacred land that students can roam on at The Sacred Trust centre but also from the teachers Simon Buxton, Kate Shela and their companion staff. As a school teacher, I have often been critical regarding the standards of organisation and communication on courses that I have attended, but not so with The Sacred Trust. They lead the way through deep spiritual matters with clarity, integrity, warmth and humour — and the physical body is also well catered for! To be able to transform all aspects of ones life, releasing fear and judgment through communication with spirit is an immeasurable gift. What the Sacred Trust are offering the world through their unique approach to teaching shamanism is accessible, practical, surprising, joyful and altogether to be recommended!
Lindsay Macaulay
Music Teacher (Director of Music, Rtd)