Based on Carl Gustav Jung, the chakra system, and shamanic animal wisdom, this transformative active imagery work in deep relaxation has been developed by Eligio Stephen Gallegos, PhD for Psychology, more than 20 years ago. The Personal Totem Pole Process© leads on a powerful healing journey into the realms of the soul and reconnects with own inherent wisdom and strength.  

 "The work is deeply healing and transformative as the animals know how to guide us with precision through the sequence of experiences that lead back to our own original wholeness. Use of this process has shown that it effectively and efficiently brings about the resolution of longstanding conflicts and leads to a newfound maturity." (IIVR, Institute of Visualization Research, NM)

In the Personal Totem Pole Process© the gateways are the 7 main chakras, which are entered in a deep relaxed stage through active imagery. Usually an animal appears in each chakra - a Personal Totem - that exemplifies the condition of the chakra. All 7 chakra animals are lined up along the vertical axis of the body, which appears as a Totem Pole – The Personal Totem Pole.

"The red horse prances gracefully and its coat shines in the sun. "Create a halter for me, I want to be tamed and guided", it snorts. I look around and have no idea where to get a halter from. I explain the problem to the horse and it advises me to comb its tail and braid a halter from the hair I collect.  I do as I am told but now a conflict shows up that stirs me. I really don't want to tame this breathtaking beautiful and proud  animal !

It is so magnificent to be so powerful and free ! My imagery guide advises me to communicate this and share my feelings with the horse but before I can even finish sharing my opinion the wild horse neighs and bucks . I fall backwards and smash hard on the earth. I am shocked to death. The horse angrily paws the ground right in front of me that the ground shakes. "Do you understand and see what happens when you don't tame me ?" it snorts outraged. Very carefully I take the halter and slide it over the horses noble head. "Now guide me", it demands. I am confused. "I don't know where to guide you, we are in the wilderness of the prairie, there is no path and I don't know where to go !", I call out in despair. "A path is created while you walk," my horse whispers gently, and prances as light as a feather at my side." (protocol of a journey)