Personal Story: A Journey to Spiritual Healing
Alan Kerner is an initiated Mara’akame—a traditional healer in the Wixárika (Huichol) tradition—who serves his community with deep dedication. As a spiritual healer, he helps people navigate life challenges.
Alan’s spiritual journey began with his first experience of Siddha Yoga Meditation, which introduced him to the practices of selfless service and self-inquiry. Through this practice, he discovered the transformational power of personal growth, as well as the beauty and challenges of gathering in community.
This exploration eventually led Alan to train in Plant Spirit Medicine healing, where he discovered his passion for helping others. He went on to apprentice with Don Eliot Cowan under the guidance of Huichol Shaman Don Lupe Gonzales. With their mentorship, Alan embarked on an annual six-year pilgrimage to sacred Wixárika sites—a journey that demanded significant hardship and sacrifice. Through this dedication, he became an initiated Mara’akame and made a lifetime commitment to serve as a traditional healer. Over the past 25 years, Alan has continued to immerse himself in the traditions and practices of the Huichol people, deepening his connection to this sacred path.
Today, Alan lives in Santa Monica, California, where he offers healing sessions and counseling to clients as a Mara’akame. Alan plays an active role as a facilitator and leader. He is a member of the Elder Council (Kawitero) for the Group Tatewari. He serves as a Trustee of Sacred Fire, was initiated as a firekeeper, and is an Elder for the Temple of Sacred Fire Healing. Guided by Grandfather Fire (Tatewari) and the teachings of his elders, Alan continues to serve as a conduit for the spiritual healing of the Gods.
Testimonials: Transforming people’s lives
“It has been such a blessing to work with Alan and receive healings in the Huichol tradition. I
only wish I had met him a long time ago! Alan is patient, gentle, wise, and humble. This work is
clearly his passion and joy. As a psychologist, I am aware of the transformation that can come
from deep healing work, but Alan’s treatments seem to cut much deeper than I have ever seen
or experienced. My first session with him was incredible; he was very quickly able to intuit
aspects of my life and see areas of blockage energetically and psychologically. The healing
work that he has done for me has been tangible and life-changing. It has helped me move
through and heal old pains and become a more effective healer myself. I am forever grateful!”
Lauren Dill / PhD.
“My mom is getting toward the end of her life, and my ability to spend weeks at a time with her,
appreciating and loving her, is a direct result of the work I did with Alan. Before Alan and I met, I
could not spend more than a few hours alone with my mom without becoming infuriated at her.
But this past Christmas I took her to Venice, just the two of us, for over a week. As I see her
enter this last phase of her life I am immensely grateful that I have gotten to a place where I can
simply accept and appreciate her with all her flaws. This time is sacred and I’m able to hold it gracefully.”
Thank you Alan for everything you’ve done, both for me and for everyone lucky enough to see you.
Connor W. / Musician
“Having received Alan’s very powerful mode of healing over a period of a few sessions
I’m experiencing gradual yet tremendous improvement. As I write this, I’m reminded of how long I’ve come! I will continue to let his treatment take its course. I feel very fortunate to have met this healer. His friendship and counsel mean the world to me.”
Dinesh Perera / Businessman.
“Working with Alan has been transformative for both my spiritual and entrepreneurial journey. Through his healing, I’ve become more grounded and aligned with my true purpose. I now approach my life with a sense of balance, purpose, and flow that I hadn’t experienced before thanks to him”
Javier Chapa / Entrepreneur
Healing Sessions: What to expect
Alan offers one-on-one healing sessions rooted in the ancient Wixárika (Huichol) healing tradition. These sessions, lasting approximately an hour, depending on individual circumstances, focus on clearing emotional blocks. Using time-honored Huichol healing protocols, Alan helps clients address challenges and restore balance to their lives.
To schedule an appointment, fill out the contact form below and Alan’s assistant will get back to you soon.
Community: A healthy way of living
In the Wixárika tradition, healing is not solely an individual journey but a deeply communal experience. This spirit of connection thrives in the villages, where relationships with the Divine, the natural world, and one another are central to daily life.
Alan invites you to enrich your healing journey by engaging with the community through these offerings:
What is traditional Healing?
“The medicine people (mara’akame/mara’akate) of the Wixarika or Huichol tradition are known as healers and wise counselors. The word “mara’akame” meaning “one who knows” requires many years of personal sacrifice, growth, and pilgrimage to sacred sites, followed by a traditional initiation. This is a life-long commitment.
The shamanic work of a mara’akame brings deep healing to those seeking physical, emotional, spiritual and mental support.
As promise holders of this tradition, we have connection and relationship to the power of an unbroken lineage. Despite the changes in our modern culture, there are timeless instructions for getting along in life that still apply today.
As in most indigenous traditions, shamanic healing works with the root spiritual cause of illness, seeking to restore balance in our lives and connection with the essential nature of who we are in this world. One does not need to have a manifested physical illness to benefit from this work”
We recommend this read :
Article from Traditional Shamanic Healing Website, Author Susan Skinner, Mara’akate in the Huichol Tradition
