January/February 2008 Spirituality
Merging Science, Shamanism, and the
Mysteries of Ancient Egypt

by Nicki Scully

Over the past 300 years, the gulf between science and shamanism has widened, but now a new science is emerging and the circle is becoming complete. Since the advent of quantum mechanics, scientists like cellular biologist Bruce Lipton are discovering, measuring and concluding that there is a lot more going on than basic building blocks and Newtonian physics.

Thoughts, beliefs and even prayers can influence the wellbeing of our living cells. In fact, Dr. Lipton's stem cell research conclusively points out that we are not bound by our genetic make-up as indelibly as previously thought. It turns out that the genome studies that created the central prevailing dogma didn't take into consideration the presence of regulatory proteins when they determined the initial role of genes. These proteins control every aspect of gene activity in the process of how the blueprints or genetic codes actually manifest into the different functioning cells of the body. When they are added to the equation, they explain how the codes are impacted by environmental signals.

Recently I had the great pleasure of presenting with Dr. Lipton an event in Eugene we called "The Grand Convergence-the Merging of Science and Shamanism." It was like a dance on stage replete with PowerPoint presentations as a backdrop. One moment the audience was being drawn deeply into that trance-like arena where miracles can and did happen, entering other spiritual dimensions of consciousness, and the next moment they were learning about proteins and "mem-brains" and how the shamanic journey they just took was real and explainable from a scientific perspective.

There was a third dance partner on that stage. The field, otherwise known as Spirit. Bruce used words like "invisible forces" and described the powers of energetic transmissions that ultimately lead to the recognition of one's divinity, and, he even said it, one's immortality. I used words like "deities and archetypes," "animal totems," and universal life force, and described how these invisible forces inform our healing and our co-creative capacities.

I love how Bruce and I have come to the same conclusions about consciousness, self-empowerment and the presence of an intelligent field, yet from seemingly contradictory directions. Yes, there is a place where matter ceases to exist, a place where all is energy. And yes, one's point of view or belief can be changed and that change can affect the energy. And yes, a change in the invisible field of energy will translate into a change in our physical world.

My passion is Egypt. Although I can speak with confidence on many subjects related to other cultures and healing modalities, I am forever finding connections and similarities to the ancient Egyptian mysteries, and the pantheon of the people of the Nile. It is this grand convergence that is enticing Bruce and me to co-facilitate a sacred pilgrimage to Egypt this spring. There, within the temples and monuments that eloquently express timeless truths that have somehow eluded most cultures of our time, we can directly experience her mysteries along with the essence of the "epi-genetic" possibilities of new science in action.

Epigenetics is the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environment controls gene activity, and is one of the most active arenas of current scientific research. The literal meaning of epigenetics is "control above genetics." According to Bruce, research in this relatively new field shows us that "Genes are not destiny. Environmental influences, including nutrition, stress and emotions can modify those genes without changing their basic blueprint. And those modifications can be passed on to future generations as surely as DNA blueprints are passed on via the double helix."

In shaman-speak, I would say that we are informed at the cellular level by the field of intelligence that is the matrix within which all mater exists. I call it akasha. Wearing my Egyptian hat, I call it ka.

Why Egypt? Egypt is loud. Egypt is relevant. Nowhere on the planet have the ancients left such bold statements, built to last. The intention and purpose with which they imbued their monuments reverberates throughout time. When a person enters these sacred sites with an open heart and a presence of mind, they interact directly with the field that continues to inform the granite, or basalt, or sacred hieroglyphic images, or people, so that those who enter as seekers remember, and in so doing, are re-membered. As Bruce said on stage, "We all have receptors that relate to Egypt."

Egypt connects us directly with the divine intelligence that is the field similar to what ancient Egyptians called the ka body. The ka is the subtle body commonly known as the etheric double. It is the collective soul and energetic connection with our ancestors, and it invigorates us with vital life force. It is the consciousness of the neteru, the deities of Egypt who are the archetypal divine principles that are woven into our very being, all the way into and surrounding our DNA.

Whereas Bruce speaks of the field, I speak of ka. We are saying the same thing, only now we each have more to say about our respective subjects. I'm looking forward to taking him and our group to various temples, speaking of and doing ceremony, and then hearing his explanation of what just happened and the sciences involved in the creation and décor of these powerful places.

The more I learn, the more I am in awe of the pharaonic priest/scientists. The temples are more, much more than a pile of cleverly placed rocks. They have and hold a power - they are imbued with intent and with purpose. These creations are still alive, and adherents of the field as well as teachings of the ka will be able to explain the feelings we sense as we step into these chambers.

Join Nicki Scully and Bruce Lipton, PhD. April 25 - May 10. Nicki has been teaching healing, shamanic arts, and the Egyptian Mysteries since 1983. Her most recent book, Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt, Awakening the Healing Power of the Heart, is co-authored with Linda Star Wolf. For more information about Nicki, visit www.shamanicjourneys.com. For more about Bruce Lipton, visit www.brucelipton.com.