RVML Ashland Events

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14.

Four essential components of shamanic ceremony and six shamanic ceremonies you can do. Michael Hoffman draws upon 40 years of doing shamanic ceremonies to present what he has found to be four essential ceremony components. The first component is interacting with Spirit as an equal and collaborative partner. Many people raised in a Judea-Christian culture have been conditioned to put themselves below God which translates to below spirit. Shamanic ceremony is based on a collaborative relationship with Spirit in which you are responsible for some things and Spirit for others.

The second essential component is that the shamanic ceremony is grounded in community. In a Vision Quest Ceremony, you seek your vision and medicine to make your people and community stronger. The third component is that shamanic ceremony is a rite of passage which means it provides a transition from one way of being to another. The fourth component is having a clear intention. Getting the intention of the ceremony correct is more important than its form.

Michael will show how these four components play into the ceremonies in his shamanic retreats including Sweat Lodge, Medicine Wheel, Vision Quest, Sharing Circle, Healing Circle, and Drum and Rattle Ceremonies. Michael will then share six personal ceremonies that you can perform to aid you in your life and spiritual journey.

Presenter’s Biography: While exploring all things spiritual and psychological in his early twenties, Michael Hoffman began training with spiritual teacher and shaman, Bart Anderson. This apprenticeship would last for 22 years. Michael completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1984 and Masters in Social Work in 1996 and offered psychotherapy since then. Michael was continuously impressed by the huge psychological and spiritual breakthroughs people experienced during ceremonies he assisted in during his shamanic training.

Before Bart passed in 2007 he stressed to Michael, “You have to teach them a new way of being, psychotherapy is not enough.” Michael added shamanic retreats, spiritual coaching, and relationship coaching all of which included shamanic ceremonies to his psychotherapy practice. These additions walk participants through a complete transition to a new way of being. Michael lives in Ashland, Oregon where he has been exploring building supportive and collaborative community.

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14.

Come learn about our best theory of psychological and spiritual health. I’ll be covering areas including memory, habits, emotional regulation, self-compassion, relationships, the vagus nerve, the mind/body connection, and your happiness set point. As a good psychological theory, this provides a rational basis for developing individualized practices for psychological and spiritual growth and healing. Taking persistent, rational action is the way to get what you want from life. Deepen your understanding of the theory and refine your methods for improving your life!

Nando Raynolds, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has practiced psychotherapy in Southern Oregon for more than 30 years. He has extensive post-graduate training including Hakomi, NLP, Voice Dialogue, NVC, and Energy Psychology, and was the Clinical Director of the Community Counseling Center of Ashland for seven years. He specializes in helping people deepen intimacy with themselves and others. He’s well known as an insightful and entertaining presenter. He also teaches T’ai Chi, Qigong, Contact Improvisation dance and Breathwork-based Mindfulness.

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14.

Sean Smith presents an insightful presentation on the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence. As AI continues to transform industries and impact society, understanding its ethical implications is more critical than ever.

This presentation will explore the core principles of AI ethics- including transparency, fairness, accountability, and privacy- while highlighting real-world examples of both responsible and unethical AI practices.
Learn about the challenges of algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, and the complexities of autonomous decision-making. Gain practical insights into global AI regulations, corporate responsibility frameworks, and best practices for developing ethical AI systems.

With examples and case studies, you’ll learn how to navigate ethical dilemmas and contribute to building responsible AI solutions that benefit both businesses and society.

Whether you’re a developer, business leader, or policymaker, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make informed, ethical decisions in the age of artificial intelligence.

Sean Smith is an Ashland, Oregon-based search marketing consultant, skilled in Brand Marketing, Search Marketing, and PPC. He has worked in the financial, retail, and healthcare industries, managing multi-million dollar marketing budgets for over 23 years. Skilled at keyword-rich copywriting, vendor management, site usability and user experience, aligning channels to corporate goals, data and competitive analysis, and project management. Committed to ethical and authentic marketing to customers and believes that how you do anything is how you do everything. Sean has a Masters in Practical Philosophy and Applied Ethics.

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14 • Registration Link Below

RVML’s “Approaching AI” Hands-On Workshop with Ian Ingram is a welcoming space for anyone interested in exploring the world of artificial intelligence in a fun and safe way. Limited to 20 participants.

PRE-REGISTRATION and WI-FI DEVICE REQUIRED (Laptop, Tablet or Phone)