My name is Lisa Silva, and I am the founder and lead facilitator of Shangriballa. At 51, my life has been a profound, ongoing journey of self-discovery and purpose, leading me to become a Shamanic Practitioner and Medicine Woman. I've been truly honoured with the title of Maestra by my teacher – a testament to the wisdom I've gained through my healing and transformation, wisdom that now allows me to guide others on their unique paths. I don’t claim to heal you directly, but I am fiercely dedicated to empowering and supporting you in your self-healing journey. With over 2000 ceremonies under my belt, I draw upon extensive knowledge, deep wisdom, and hands-on expertise to facilitate transformative experiences that foster proper balance across your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

My spiritual journey began in the vibrant heart of South Africa, where I lived and worked intimately with African Shamans (Sangomas) for most of my life. From a very young age, I was learning and refining my skills as a spiritual healer. What I now recognize is that throughout my personal healing journey, I was intuitively practicing the very methods of body-mind awareness and present moment release that we teach today, long before I had a name or a structured program for them.

I was, without knowing it, engaged in what we now call 'Step 1' of our unique Self-Enquiry process.

Just as traditional healers speak of a sudden, unexplained illness – terrible, persistent headaches that wouldn't cease until they heeded the Great Spirit and their ancestors' calling – my calling to serve others arrived through profound personal illness and the subsequent journey of healing. (You can read my full healing journey here.)

This deep dive into my healing expanded globally. Through holistic therapies and sacred plant medicines worldwide, I further developed and deepened my connection to Spirit and Shamanism. Studying and qualifying in various healing arts and modalities helped me to refine my unique approach as a facilitator, blending ancient wisdom with practical, embodied techniques.

During deep journeying with plant medicines, particularly here in Portugal, I felt an undeniable calling to work more closely with the profound healing properties of plant and amphibian medicines. My journey began with Kambo and then evolved to encompass the sacred wisdom of Bufo Alvarius (the Sacred Toad).

My path has led me to a deep interest in Unity Consciousness and the profound teachings of Ramana Maharshi. I genuinely believe that waking up to our true Selves, the pure Awareness that underlies all existence, is one of the most essential functions of life.

And it is through this understanding, gained from both ancient wisdom and my own lived experience of navigating and releasing the imprints of life – the samskaras and traumas – that I deeply value our two-step Self-Enquiry method. It's a testament to how the practical, body-based release work (our 'Step 1') organically prepares us for the profound, ultimate Self-Enquiry (our 'Step 2'), creating a truly holistic and accessible path to liberation."