Today we’d like to introduce you to Billy Lor.
Hi Billy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Wisconsin. At a young age, I experienced health issues that could not be healed or cured by Western medicine. After opening myself up to Hmong shamanic spiritual healing, I was diagnosed with having shaman illness (mob need). Mob neeb is an illness people their ancestors have selected to become the next shaman in their family lineage, and the only way to cure the illness is to become a shaman. Upon hearing this news, I still refused to believe the diagnosis as I was a skeptic and did not want to go down the path of a Hmong shaman. Although I declined the shaman’s calling, it echoed throughout my body. I began developing Hmong shamanic healing abilities, such as telling when someone is experiencing spiritual illnesses or being able to help heal it by simply asking the ancestors to remove it. Elders began confiding in me their issues at the age of 13, and I would help advise and provide small treatment for them. Even then, I refused the position despite already stepping into it. Finally, at the age of 15, after battling with mob needs and the call of my ancestors, I accepted the role. Since then, I have performed hundreds of ceremonies nationwide, but I primarily practice in Minnesota and Wisconsin. As a teenage shaman, I experienced many struggles with helping the Hmong community. I saw many struggles that my community dealt with, issues ranging from gender equality, homophobia, racism, and patriarchal oppression. This opened my perspective as not just a healer but a cultural bearer. I wanted the future of the Hmong practices to be equitable to all and not have our knowledge gate held. So, I began educating small pockets of the community I could access, from elders to our youth. Knowing I wanted to teach the culture and spread awareness further, I created Hey Billy, a social media platform that focuses on teaching about Hmong shamanism and culture. Since then, I have had the privilege to speak and teach throughout the country but anchor my work in the twin cities.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road has been rough and rigorous. As a Hmong shaman, your duty to your community can be fulfilling but highly demanding and exhausting. Your community’s hope and health are heavy and sometimes burdensome, but you must have the endurance to carry it. They share their worries, struggles, burdens, and love with you, and it sometimes feels like the weight of the world. A shaman’s shoulder to lean on, an ear that’ll listen, a healer, leader, and an elder, so when you carry the title, you must take the responsibilities that come along with it and be the light for those in need. So, having been a shaman for half of my life, I have also had to be a teenager, an orphan who lost both their parents, a college student, and an advocate, all while bearing the weight of the community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a content creator, educator, cultural and spiritual consultant, and Hmong shaman. I specialize in traditional Hmong shamanic healings and am also a cultural bearer. I am known in the community as a healer with over a decade of experience in the ancient arts, and I also apply a critical lens to all of my work. Because I take such a critical approach to my practice, I am known for striving for equity and deconstructing oppressive practices that hurt and exclude our community members. I am most proud of gaining my community’s trust and being elevated as a trusted source of knowledge, culture, and guidance. I work with all ages, from the elderly to the youth. To have the trust and respect of all age ranges is rare, and I am proud to have established that. My critical and modern approach to traditional practices and ability to effectively teach community members set me apart. There are many shamans and practitioners, but my impact on an educational and empowering level transcends most. I have keynoted for numerous organizations and universities and won many’s trust. Another aspect that sets me apart from others is my pure experience as a Hmong shaman. I have performed hundreds of ceremonies for people globally. This has dramatically sharpened my skills as a shaman and given me the knowledge I need to help our community learn and heal.
We’d love to hear about your fond memories from growing up.
My favorite childhood memory is spending every summer at my grandparents’ house in the quiet countryside. We would spend most of our days in the garden as we were farmers who sold at the farmer’s market. My cousins would spend each day together, and our bonds were unbreakable. As a multigenerational family, being amongst all our loved ones was best.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheybilly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheybilly
Image Credits
Spirited
