Soul Retrieval: Shamanic Healing Explained

What Is Soul Retrieval?

Soul retrieval is one of the oldest healing practices on Earth. Found in shamanic traditions across every inhabited continent, it rests on a straightforward premise: when we experience trauma, shock, or prolonged suffering, a piece of our soul (our vital essence, the animating force that makes us who we are) separates from the body and retreats to another realm.

The role of the shaman has always been to travel into these hidden realms, locate the missing soul fragment, and bring it home. In practical terms, a trained shamanic practitioner enters an altered state of consciousness, usually through rhythmic drumming or rattling, and journeys to what indigenous cultures call "non-ordinary reality." There, they negotiate with the soul part, acknowledge the pain that caused it to leave, and gently guide it back into the client's body.

Sandra Ingerman, a licensed psychotherapist and one of the foremost teachers of soul retrieval in the Western world, describes it this way: whenever we suffer an emotional or physical trauma, a part of our soul flees the body to survive the experience. The soul, in her framework, is our essence, our life force, the part of our vitality that keeps us alive and thriving.

This practice is not a metaphor or a guided visualization exercise, though it may look that way to an outside observer. Within shamanic cosmology, the practitioner is doing real work in real (though non-physical) landscapes. The soul fragments exist somewhere specific, and the practitioner must find them, communicate with them, and earn their trust before they will return.

Understanding Soul Loss: Why Pieces of Us Leave

To understand soul retrieval, you first need to understand soul loss. In shamanic tradition, soul loss is the primary cause of illness and emotional suffering. It is the body's spiritual defense mechanism, as necessary and automatic as the way your hand pulls back from a hot stove.

When something happens that is too painful, too shocking, or too overwhelming for your whole self to endure, a piece of your essence detaches and moves to safety. This is not a conscious choice. It happens instantly, the same way a physical shock response floods your body with adrenaline before your thinking mind can process what happened.

Soul loss can result from many kinds of experiences:

• Physical trauma: accidents, surgery, serious illness, assault
• Emotional trauma: abuse, betrayal, abandonment, humiliation
• Grief and loss: death of a loved one, divorce, loss of identity or purpose
• Prolonged stress: toxic relationships, chronic overwork, living in survival mode
• Childhood experiences: neglect, bullying, growing up in an unstable home
• Soul theft: in some shamanic traditions, another person can unconsciously hold onto a piece of someone else's soul, often in unhealthy relationship dynamics

Think of it this way. When a young child endures something they cannot process (a parent's rage, a frightening medical procedure, a moment of deep shame), a part of their awareness simply goes elsewhere. Adults often describe this in hindsight: "I checked out," "I wasn't really there," "Something in me shut down that day." These are everyday descriptions of what shamanic practitioners have been treating for thousands of years.

Signs You May Need Soul Retrieval

Soul loss does not always announce itself with dramatic symptoms. Often it shows up as a quiet, persistent sense of incompleteness that you may have carried for so long you mistake it for your personality. Here are the most common signs that one or more soul fragments may be missing.

One of the hallmarks of soul loss is the phrase many people use without realizing its significance: "I haven't been the same since..." followed by a specific event. That before-and-after quality, the clear sense that something shifted and never shifted back, often points directly to a moment when a soul fragment departed.

If you recognize several of these symptoms in your own experience, it does not automatically mean you need soul retrieval. It does mean the possibility is worth exploring, especially if conventional approaches to healing and self-care have not fully resolved these patterns.

Soul Retrieval Across Cultures and History

What makes soul retrieval remarkable among healing practices is its near-universal presence in human cultures. This is not a technique invented by one person or tradition and then exported. It appears independently, with consistent core elements, in indigenous healing systems that had no contact with one another.

In Siberian shamanic traditions (the word "shaman" itself comes from the Tungus people of Siberia), the shaman's primary role was to journey between worlds to recover lost souls. The Buryat people of Mongolia describe the soul as having multiple parts, some of which can wander or be captured by spirits during illness. Australian Aboriginal healers work with similar concepts through the Dreamtime. In the Americas, the Lakota, the Q'ero of Peru, the Mazatec of Mexico, and dozens of other peoples all practice forms of soul recovery.

The consistency across these traditions is striking. Nearly all of them share these core ideas:

• The soul is not a single, indivisible thing but has parts or aspects that can separate
• Trauma, shock, or spiritual attack can cause pieces to leave the body
• The missing pieces go somewhere real (a spirit world, an alternate reality, the land of the dead)
• A trained healer can travel to these places and negotiate the soul's return
• The return must be followed by a period of reintegration and care

In the modern Western context, soul retrieval was reintroduced primarily through the work of Sandra Ingerman in the late 1980s. Her book "Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self" (1991) brought the practice to a wider audience and created a framework for teaching it to practitioners who did not grow up within indigenous traditions. Today, thousands of practitioners worldwide offer soul retrieval as part of their energy healing work.

How Soul Retrieval Works: The Shamanic Journey

The mechanics of soul retrieval center on the shamanic journey, a specific technique for entering altered states of consciousness that humans have used for at least 30,000 years (based on cave paintings depicting shamanic practices). Understanding how this journey works helps demystify the process.

The Three Worlds

In shamanic cosmology, reality is organized into three interconnected realms:

• The Upper World: a place of light, clarity, and spiritual teachers. Soul fragments sometimes flee here, especially those connected to innocence or higher aspects of self.
• The Middle World: the spiritual dimension of our everyday reality. Soul parts may linger here, attached to the place or time where the trauma occurred.
• The Lower World: a rich, earthy realm filled with nature spirits and power animals. Many soul fragments are found here, protected by guardian spirits until they can be safely returned.

The Drumming

Repetitive rhythmic sound, such as drumming at approximately 4 to 4.5 beats per second, has been shown in research to shift brainwave activity toward theta states (4-8 Hz). These are the same states associated with deep meditation, hypnosis, and the boundary between waking and sleeping. In this state, the practitioner's awareness can move freely between ordinary and non-ordinary reality.

The drum is often called "the shaman's horse" because it carries the practitioner between worlds. Some practitioners use rattles, singing, or other rhythmic tools to achieve the same shift.

The Journey Itself

Once in the altered state, the practitioner sets an intention: to find and recover the client's lost soul parts. What follows is an experiential journey through the spirit worlds. The practitioner may encounter:

• Power animals or spirit guides who help locate the soul fragment
• The soul fragment itself, often appearing as the client at a younger age
• The scene or setting of the original trauma
• Guardians or barriers that must be addressed before the soul part will return
• Gifts, symbols, or messages meant for the client

When the fragment agrees to return, the practitioner carries it back (in their cupped hands, their heart, or a ceremonial object) and blows it into the client's body, typically through the heart center or the crown of the head. Some traditions include additional steps like sealing the energy body, placing protective symbols, or performing a cleansing ceremony to prepare the client's field for reintegration.

What to Expect During a Soul Retrieval Session

If you are considering soul retrieval, knowing what a typical session looks like can ease anxiety and help you prepare. While every practitioner has their own style, most sessions follow a general pattern.

Before the Journey

You will typically start with a conversation lasting 15 to 30 minutes. The practitioner will ask about your reasons for seeking soul retrieval, any specific events or patterns you want to address, your emotional state, and your experience with spiritual or healing practices. This is also your chance to ask questions and get comfortable with the practitioner.

During the Journey

You will lie down comfortably, usually on a mat or massage table. The room may be dimly lit. The practitioner will begin drumming, rattling, or playing a recorded drumming track. You may be asked to close your eyes and simply breathe, staying open and receptive.

The journey portion typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes. During this time, you might:

• Fall into a light, dreamy state
• See colors, images, or scenes behind your closed eyes
• Feel emotions rising and falling
• Experience physical sensations like warmth, tingling, or gentle pressure
• Simply feel relaxed and present without any dramatic experiences

All of these responses are normal. There is no "right" way to experience the session from the client's side.

The Return

When the practitioner has completed the journey, they will blow the recovered soul essence into your body (usually your heart area and the top of your head). You may feel a rush of warmth, a wave of emotion, a sense of fullness, or something more subtle. Some people cry. Some laugh. Some feel nothing immediate but notice changes in the days that follow.

After the Journey

The practitioner will share what they experienced: which soul parts returned, at what age, what the original trauma was, any messages or gifts that came through, and guidance for your integration period. Take notes if you can. These details often become more meaningful over time.

Soul Retrieval and Modern Psychology

One of the most fascinating aspects of soul retrieval is how closely it maps onto concepts in modern psychology, particularly the phenomenon of dissociation.

Dissociation, as defined in clinical psychology, is a disconnection between a person's thoughts, feelings, surroundings, or actions. It is a well-documented response to trauma. When an experience overwhelms the nervous system's capacity to cope, the psyche fragments. Parts of the self become walled off, inaccessible to conscious awareness but still active below the surface, influencing behavior, emotions, and physical health.

The parallels with shamanic soul loss are hard to ignore:

Sandra Ingerman has written extensively about this connection. When she began practicing soul retrieval in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she noticed that women who had experienced childhood abuse would describe having "removed themselves psychically" from the situation. In psychological language, they dissociated. In shamanic language, their souls fled. The description was the same; only the framework differed.

Dr. Peter Levine, creator of Somatic Experiencing (a body-based trauma therapy), has also noted the overlap. His model of how trauma gets "frozen" in the body and must be gently released bears a strong resemblance to the shamanic understanding of soul parts being stuck in the moment of trauma until a healer facilitates their release.

Integration: What Happens After Soul Retrieval

The soul retrieval ceremony is only the beginning. What comes after, the integration period, is where the real healing unfolds. Think of it this way: the practitioner has brought the soul part home, but now you need to make room for it, welcome it, and let it settle back into your life.

Integration is not always comfortable. When a soul part returns, it may carry the emotions, memories, and sensations from the time it left. A soul fragment that departed during a childhood trauma may bring with it the fear, confusion, or grief of that younger self. This does not mean something has gone wrong. It means the healing is working.

Common Experiences During Integration

• Vivid dreams: Many people report unusually vivid or meaningful dreams in the first few weeks, sometimes revisiting scenes from their past
• Emotional waves: Sadness, joy, anger, relief, or tenderness may arise unexpectedly
• Energy shifts: Some people feel a surge of vitality; others need extra rest as their system adjusts
• Memory return: Forgotten memories may surface, sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly
• Changed preferences: You may find yourself drawn to activities, foods, or interests you had abandoned years ago
• Relationship shifts: As you become more whole, dynamics with others naturally change

Supporting Your Integration

The following practices help create the best conditions for integration:

• Journal daily: Write about your dreams, emotions, memories, and any shifts you notice. This creates a record of your healing journey and helps you process what arises.
• Spend time in nature: The natural world is deeply grounding. Walk barefoot on grass. Sit with your back against a tree. Let the earth support your reintegration process.
• Reduce stimulation: For the first week or two, minimize alcohol, caffeine, loud environments, violent media, and emotionally draining social situations.
• Move gently: Yoga, tai chi, swimming, or simple stretching helps the returned energy move through and settle in your physical body.
• Create or make art: Drawing, painting, singing, or any creative expression gives the returned soul parts a voice and a way to communicate.
• Be patient: Full integration can take weeks to months. There is no timeline you need to meet.

Finding a Qualified Practitioner

Choosing the right practitioner for soul retrieval matters enormously. This is intimate, powerful work that requires genuine skill, ethical integrity, and a real connection to the spirit world. Not everyone who claims the title is qualified.

What to Look For

• Substantial training: Look for practitioners who have trained with established teachers or organizations (such as the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Sandra Ingerman's training programs, or recognized indigenous teachers). Weekend workshops alone are not sufficient preparation.
• Years of practice: Soul retrieval is a skill that deepens with experience. Look for someone who has been practicing for several years and has performed many retrievals.
• Clear ethics: A responsible practitioner will explain the process clearly, answer your questions, never guarantee specific results, respect your autonomy, and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Personal references: Ask for references or look for reviews from previous clients. Word of mouth remains one of the best ways to find skilled practitioners.
• Your own instinct: Pay attention to how you feel when you speak with the practitioner. You should feel safe, respected, and heard. If something feels off, honor that feeling.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Practitioners who promise guaranteed healing or specific outcomes
• Excessive fees with no transparency about what the session includes
• Pressure to commit to multiple sessions upfront
• Claims of being the "only" person who can help you
• Unwillingness to explain their training background
• Any behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable, controlled, or pressured

Self-Care Practices That Support Soul Wholeness

Whether or not you pursue formal soul retrieval, certain practices help maintain soul health and prevent further fragmentation. These are things you can do on your own, every day, to nourish and protect your vital essence.

Soul Retrieval and Complementary Practices

Soul retrieval does not exist in isolation. It works best as part of a broader approach to healing that addresses multiple layers of your being. Here are some practices that pair particularly well with soul retrieval work.

Energy healing (Reiki, acupuncture): These practices help clear energetic blockages and smooth the way for returned soul parts to settle into the body's energy system.

Yoga and movement practices: Trauma lives in the body as much as in the psyche. Gentle movement helps release stored tension and creates physical space for reintegration.

Sound healing: Singing bowls, tuning forks, and chanting can harmonize the energy field after soul retrieval, helping the returned fragments align with your current vibration.

Chakra work: Soul loss often disrupts specific energy centers. Working with the chakra system after retrieval helps restore balanced energy flow throughout the body.

Ayurvedic self-care: The Ayurvedic emphasis on daily routines, nourishing food, and seasonal living creates a stable foundation that supports soul integration.

Journaling and creative expression: Giving the returned soul parts a voice through writing, art, or music supports their reintegration and helps you understand the gifts they bring back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is soul retrieval in shamanism?

Soul retrieval is a shamanic healing practice where a trained practitioner enters an altered state of consciousness to locate and return soul fragments that separated from a person during trauma, shock, or prolonged stress. The practitioner journeys into non-ordinary reality, finds the lost parts, and reintegrates them with the client through breath and ceremony.

What causes soul loss?

Soul loss can result from physical or emotional trauma, abuse, accidents, surgery, grief, prolonged illness, toxic relationships, addiction, or any experience overwhelming enough that part of the psyche splits off as a survival mechanism. In shamanic understanding, the soul fragment leaves the body to escape the full impact of pain.

What are the symptoms of soul loss?

Common symptoms include chronic fatigue, feeling disconnected or numb, depression, difficulty being present, memory gaps around traumatic events, a sense that something is missing, weakened immune system, inability to move past grief, emotional flatness, and the feeling of not having been the same since a particular event.

Is soul retrieval safe?

When performed by a trained and experienced shamanic practitioner, soul retrieval is generally considered safe. It can bring up strong emotions as reintegrated soul parts may carry memories of the original trauma. A responsible practitioner will prepare you beforehand and provide guidance for the integration period afterward.

How long does a soul retrieval session take?

A typical session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. This includes an initial conversation about your concerns (15-30 minutes), the shamanic journey itself (20-40 minutes), and a discussion afterward about what the practitioner experienced, plus guidance for integration.

Can you do soul retrieval on yourself?

While some experienced shamanic practitioners do practice self-retrieval, most teachers recommend working with another practitioner. When your own soul fragments are involved, personal blind spots and emotional attachment can interfere with the journey. A trained practitioner can navigate these realms more objectively on your behalf.

How is soul retrieval different from therapy?

Soul retrieval works on the spiritual and energetic level, while therapy works primarily on the cognitive and emotional level. Therapy helps you process trauma through conversation and behavioral strategies. Soul retrieval addresses the energetic fragmentation that shamanic traditions believe accompanies trauma. Many people find these approaches complement each other well.

What happens after soul retrieval?

After soul retrieval, people often experience vivid dreams, heightened emotions, surges of energy, or temporary fatigue. The integration period typically lasts several weeks. During this time, old memories may surface, habits or preferences may shift, and a growing sense of wholeness and presence often develops.

How many sessions do you need?

The number varies by individual. Some people experience significant healing from a single session, while others benefit from multiple sessions spaced weeks or months apart. A skilled practitioner will discuss what came through during the journey and help determine whether additional work would be helpful.

Does soul retrieval have a connection to psychology?

Yes. The shamanic concept of soul loss closely parallels what psychology calls dissociation, where part of the psyche splits off in response to trauma. Sandra Ingerman has written extensively about this overlap, noting similar symptoms and recovery patterns between shamanic soul loss and clinical dissociative states.