Ishtar E. Beck

For All My Relations: a Heuristic Study of the Experience of Soul Retrieval Ishtar E. Beck

In this study Ishtar Beck explores her inner experience of soul retrieval, a shamanic practice of coming back to life. Ishtar was drawn to her research, and to sharing its findings so that others may access similar processes of returning to wholeness, by a call from deep within herself. Her research maps out common ground shared by shamanic soul retrieval and depth psychology, depicting themes of religious experience, belonging and connection, visceral presence in the body, ecstasy, surrender, acceptance, trust, synchronicity, individuation, the transcendent function of the psyche, Gemeinschaftsgefühl (community feeling), encouragement, and the return to living fully. The study also bridges a felt disconnection, or chasm, between soul and science within the field of psychology. Travelling the path of discovery using heuristic research methods, the words "breakthrough into connection" come to epitomize the author's experience of soul retrieval - connection with Self and with Spirit. The powerful sense of gratitude accompanying the experience of breaking through into connection inspired the book's title.