Meet Shaman Ada Trinh | Shaman Ada

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shaman Ada Trinh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaman Ada, how do you think about risk?
I really enjoying taking risks in life. The riskier the better because it helps me refine and define my inner strength. I’ve moved across the country from Boston to LA with very little in my pocket and slept in the car for a few months. I landed in Hollywood and created a beautiful career in the film industry as a hair and makeup artist for a decade before leaving everything to follow my family’s footsteps to become a shaman. Many years ago when I felt the call from my ancestors to walk the path of spirit, I sold my car, left the makeup union and sold my businesses. There were moments where I didn’t know how I was going to make rent or pay for my office space but I kept on trusting that life was taking me on an inner journey. Leaving everything behind was the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s taught me that I really don’t need much in life to be truly happy. The money, recognition and achievements were a fallacy of my ego. Fear is only the illusion of the mind and when you allow yourself to take the risk, dive deep and surrender- beauty is all you’ll find.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an American born Vietnamese with ancestral roots from Rach Gia, Vietnam. My family were shamans for many generations helping people with mental, physical, emotional and spiritual illnesses. When a shaman is born in our family they are chosen by the spirits of our ancestors. They take up the form of one of the ancestors when working. In my case, it is my grandpa. I can hear him, see him and embody his energy field. He helps guide me through deep healing sessions with clients. Sometimes, I go into trances and access many visions and energies.

When I host healing ceremonies which is called Lên đồng I become a spirit medium for my ancestors to come through to do healing work on attendees. The process includes dancing, drumming, sound bowls and music to awaken my inner kundalini for the trance. Many of these practices are lost because of the cultural revolution in Vietnam after the war. It took me many years of inner work, consistent practice, plant medicines, and learning from ascended masters of our world and spirit world to truly embody this modality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My fiance and I usually love going out on Friday dates nights in Pasadena. We love walking the streets of old town and grabbing dinner. Our fav spot would be True Foods Kitchen, we tend to splurge and get all kinds of sweet treats from there as well. Another great thing to do is going to the South Pasadena Farmers market on Thursday evenings.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The true hero/(s)heroes of my story are the people behind it. There were many moments where I felt that life presented me with these amazing humans so I can truly thrive and survive. Firstly, my fiance Andrew and our puppy Watson are both my solid rocks in life. When I’m not in the office working on clients or hosting a ceremony, our little family go on fun adventures to the beaches and hiking trails. We’re also huge foodie people so finding new vegan restaurants are our fav thing to do.

Outside of my immediate family, I have a soul community too. Our circle includes Erica Medina, Irvin Rivera, Phil Lim, Louie Baretto, Heather Mack, Stephanie Nguy, Henry Nguy and Kevin Yiu just to name a few. We all come many different walks of life. Some are artists, healers, medicine people and creatives but we all share the same intention of unconditional love, support and friendship.

And most importantly, my late grandpa is my biggest daily supporter, guide and mentor. He teaches me how to walk a delicate path between the two worlds of pure spirit and our material world. He guides me gently to understand the yin/yang balance of the world and how to stay in alignment with our highest truth and that of the nature/ Mother Earth.

Website: www.shamanada.com

Instagram: iamshamanada

Image Credits
Trina Severson https://www.trinaproductions.us/