The Basics of Shamanism
The Basics of Shamanism
The Basics of Shamanism
Table of Contents
1. What is Shamanism? by Elizabeth Farrell 2. The Shamanic Journey and the Three Worlds by Elizabeth Farrell 3. Spirit Guides by Elizabeth Farrell 4. Animal Totems by Elizabeth Farrell 5. What is a Shamanic Journey? by Viola Woolcott 6. The Shamanic Journey: A Brief Introduction 7. Upper World, Realm of Gods, Teachers and Guides by Viola Woolcott 8. Learning Shamanic Journeying by Dr. Michael Meredith 9. Shamanism: An Overview 10. Journeying Suggestions. 11. More Journeying Suggestions 12. The Shamanic Journey by Melinda Rodriguez 13. Basic Journey into the Lower World to Meet With Animal Spirits by Melinda Rodriguez 14. The World Tree by Michael Drake 15. Shamanic Wisdom and Shamanic Healing by Nina Mawfolsky 16. About Shamanism by Rene Sherwood 17. How to Do a Basic Shamanic Journey (ehow.com) 18. How to Contact the Spirits through Shamanism (ehow.com) 19. The Shamanic Journey by Ross Heaven
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5. What is a Shamanic Journey by Viola Woolcott The Shaman is said to be walking with one foot in the everyday world and with the other in the spirit world. Different cultures may express their views on the two realities in differently, but the basic idea is the same. Shamans are explorers of doorways from ordinary reality into non-ordinary (NOR) reality through portals leading him from the physical to the spirit world. They are moving between those two worlds. In order to bring about a balance between the physical and spiritual worlds the shaman uses mystical powers to journey to other worlds or realities and communicates with spirits. The Shamanic Journey is a way of finding answers, information, healing, wisdom and knowledge as well as guidance or help with ones personal life. During the Journey he meets with spirits who may be regarded as ancestors, elders, gods, goddesses, deceased shamans, spirit guides, power animals and angels. These beings are seen as beings with great wisdom, power and the ones who are willing to help with guiding the living. A shamanic world is made up of three parts, the lower world, the upper world and the middle world. The shamans see these three worlds as a climbing tree to the next world. The tree represents power and courage and is used in the initiation ceremony. None of these worlds are above the other. They are equally important. Each shaman begins their journey with a theme, if they are looking for guidance on a specific issue, their theme would be whatever the issue is. They form a phrase or a sentence they repeat it over and over again. This phrase or sentence helps to transcend them into the spirit world. Shamans also finds a place of tranquility in his mind, there can be no other noise around them, and they must achieve a totally calm state of mind with no outside distractions. Shamans do rely on their instincts as well as their powers. They have no limitations, they ascend into each world and they stop in each world and get the wisdom and the power they need from each world before going to the next. Once they have achieved the last world, they are ready to descend back into the
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6. The Shamanic Journey: A Brief Introduction Shamanism has been called the first spiritual practice of humanity. For tens of thousands of years, its ways have helped with personal and community evolution, intuitive development and divination. It has been effective in work to heal the self, the community and the planet. Shamanism is a generous and caring path. Its power is to be used respectfully and only for good. It can support and sustain positive personal growth and enhanced spiritual connectedness. What It Is An element of the sacred traditions of peoples from every inhabited land, journeying is a powerful meditative state. It takes us into a very special level of consciousness that helps us work more deeply with intuitive and spiritual guidance. Prolonged hypnotic drumming is used to promote relaxation and the experience of a trance-like visionary awareness. Why Its Done Through journeying, we may find that our normal world is not the most real world we can experience. The alternative realms of Spirit, of our visions and dreams, also can be real, accessible, tangible. Spirit travel can open the door to an awareness that there are other realities, other worlds. These other worlds are sources of the energy, creativity, passion and love that power the everyday world we know. Finding our way there can be a blessing that brings us wisdom and self-empowerment in a positive, healing way. How Its Done Journeying is often done lying down, with the eyes closed. It also can be done while sitting, standing, walking, running, dancing, singing, chanting, or any combination of the above. It has been said, If you can visualize, you can learn to journey. While in a trance-like state, a Journeyer travels to other realms. There are generally three types of journeys that can be undertaken. One is to a destination
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7. Upper World, Realm of Gods, Teachers and Guides by Viola Woolcott The upper world is an ethereal, bright place. The light tends to be translucent and pastel colored. It is the world of the gods, of cosmic beings, spirit guides and elders who normally appear in human as well as angelic form. It is not as earthy and practical as the lower world, as their help and guidance is more general and more philosophical. The upper world is a spiritual realm which within itself contains the stars. The world where the blueprints of life can be seen. In travelling to the upper world, we travel upwards. In order to get there you travel through a membrane which can appear like a cotton wool cloud. The realms are all linked and if you travel infinitely up the upper world, it eventually loops around to the Lower World. The upper worlds are where you find your teachers and your guides. Where teachings about healing and identity are found with the help of guides as well as the lessons of mutual responsibilities. The upper world is the realm, where the shaman negotiates with the gods. This world is mainly entered in the most dire cases, for example a deathly illness. The three worlds are connected and are equal. One would not exist without the other. How to Travel to the Upperworld Lay down in a quiet space, completely silent, rest your arms to the side of your body and do not cover yourself in heavy blankets. Feel the air around you and begin to let go. Take deep breaths and focus and the sound of your breathing. Keep a nice steady pace. Tell your body to let go, start with your feet and let the relaxation spread across your body.
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8. Learning Shamanic Journeying by Dr. Michael Meredith It is always best to learn to journey under the guidance of an experienced Shamanic Practitioner [Contact me if you need help finding one on your area] or in Shamanic Journeying Courses & Workshops or Drumming Circles. Some people learn and practice from Shamanic Journeying CDs. These are less than ideal, but can be very helpful for building experience if there is no drumming circle in your local area. However, if you encounter any difficulties, or find yourself becoming stressed, or increasingly disconnected from everyday life and relationships, you need to stop journeying and get experienced support and guidance. Shamanic Journeying is a wonderful skill to acquire and can bring great benefits to your life and happiness if used carefully and wisely. However, there are potential pitfalls for the unwary or inexperienced shaman: Journeying can be like "opening the lid of Pandoras box" if, in the past, a lot of dis-owned feelings or unskillful living has accumulated a lot of dark or destructive energies in the subconscious or unconscious mind. Acquiring a reliable spirit guide (spirit world helper) is an important early step in developing skill in the craft of journeying. Beware of false guides who might be merely an aspect of a destructive, self-sabotaging aspect your own shadow self. A genuine guide will not force or demand you to do anything - merely gently advise. A genuine spirit guide will not urge you to do anything harmful to yourself, or to any other living being. Preparation for Shamanic Journeying It is important to be relaxed, grounded and centered before drumming begins. See grounding, centering and balancing. Suitable preparatory exercises might include breathwork, chanting, prayer, sacred ritual, yoga, walking meditation etc. A conducive environment - candles, sage burning or incense, dim lighting is also important. Health & Safety Tips for Shamanic Journeying
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9. Shamanism: An Overview Modern day shamanic practitioners stand in the shadows of ancient shamans world-wide, experiencing the timeless travel of Spirit and accessing higher awareness by transcending OR (ordinary reality) into SSC (Shamanic State of Consciousness). SSC can be reached through a variety of meansdrumming, singing, breath work, movement, aroma, travel to sacred places, meditation, hallucinogens, and many others. The practiced shaman, sometimes referred to as "a hollow bone", can reach states of SSC at will. At this point the shaman becomes an extremely powerful healer and transformer of events. For more than 30,000 years shamans have been practicing this ancient form of Spiritual contact to assist in the healing of their tribes. From Iceland to South America, from Australia to the American Southwest, the shaman has transcended time and space to travel a scared journey on behalf of those seeking help. With the rise of the Scientific Age, as man has moved away from his deeper connection with Spirit to explore and develop the left brain powers of reason, the role of the shaman in western cultures became devalued, mistrusted, and misunderstood, (but not forgotten by those whose problems could not be addressed by physical sciences). Hopefully in the future, a balance will be found between the left/right brain, OR/SSC, reason/feeling aspects of being human. Both are extremely valuable assets for creating a more wonderful, safe, secure and happy world. But just what, or who is a shaman? The shaman was the original artist, dancer, musician, singer, dramatist, intellectual, poet, bard, ambassador, advisor of chiefs and kings, entertainer, actor and clown, healer, stage magician, juggler, folksinger, weatherman, culture hero and trickster-transformer. Add scientist to this list of talents, as much of the medical knowledge represented in modern pharmaceuticals results from the work of these ancient herbalists and innovators. What is the difference between a shaman and a medicine man?
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What are power animals? animal spirits? How do I find and use them? Animal spirits and power animals play an important role in a shamans world. Animal spirits act as guides who show the shaman where to find lost soul parts and answers to questions on behalf of the seeker. Power animals are creatures who work with us to protect and give added strength in times of need. We all have power animals that work with us; many times it will be an animal that you are fond of. Without knowing they are at our side we tap into their strength when we are in difficult situations. Yet, as with soul loss, we sometimes lose our power animal. At these times we might begin to feel kind of lost and not able to stand up for ourselves. It is at these times we need to go in search of our power animals. You can journey for yourself or ask a shaman to take the journey for you and return the power animal. If the shaman goes in search of your power animal she will travel to the Lower World where the journey will show the animal, at least three times, in three different situations. Once the shaman has encountered the power animal at least three times, she will bring the animal back from the journey and blow it into her client. Just about any creature on the face of the earth can be a power animal, spirit guide or an assistant in the healing process. Many people want a strong or loveable animal and are disappointed when they receive something like a frog or snake. I know I was the first time I went searching for my power animal and found it to be a frog. Everyone else in the workshop I was attending received animals like wolf, bear, elephant, condor, hawk, eaglesomething that seemed so much more than frog. Little did I realize at the time the power of Frog. Since then the spirit of Frog has shown me the transformative power she holds. Take a close look at frog and you will see one who lives in different worlds at different times during its life cycle. Frogs transformation from a water breathing creature to an air breathing creature is nothing less than spectacular! It is also one of the first creatures to demonstrate harmful changes that take place in its natural environment. We have all seen pictures of frogs that have deformities due to environmental toxins from pollution. By working with the energy of Frog I was able to see the transformations in my life that Spirit had in mind for me. I learned to live and walk in different worlds in order to make the transformations I needed to. I also began to spot the environmental pollution in my life that was
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10. A Year of Journey Suggestions January Intention: To journey to your Healing Garden, to establish your goals for the year. February Intention: Animal Guide Journeys, to meet and establish or strengthen our relationships with our Animal Guides. March Intention: Inner Temple Journeys, to explore inner balance. April Intention: Elemental Wisdom Journeys, to discover our individual connections to each of the elements and meet our elemental guides. May Intention : Journey with your Elemental Guides to the element of Air. June Intention: Journey with your Elemental Guides to the element of Fire. July Intention: Journey with your Elemental Guides to the element of Water. August Intention: Journey with your Elemental Guides to the element of Earth. September Intention: Journey with your Elemental Guides to explore your personal elemental balance. October Intention: Journey to your Ancestors, to honor them and seek their guidance. November Intention: Journey to your Healing Garden, to offer thanks and plant new seeds. December Intentions: Journey through the darkness to find healing, and wisdom.
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11. More Journeying Suggestions Journeying is a powerful shamanic tool for gaining insight and developing your intuitive skills. You can set specific intentions for your journeys depending upon your needs. Here are some suggestions to get you started and help you develop this tool.
FIND YOUR POWER ANIMAL often done as a retrieval for another person. Animals have many archetypal meanings and have been used by indigenous people for guidance, protection, power, healing and in numerous other ways. Find the animal that speaks to you, that can give you information on your life path that has been your guide (like a guardian angel) whether you are aware of their spirit yet or not. FIND YOUR POWER SPOTS there are places in both ordinary reality and non-ordinary reality that can be your source of power and renewal; ask to be taken to these places. SHAPESHIFT YOUR DREAMS use the power of drumming to help you manifest the energies in your life that are needed for you to be in your truth, to help you live your dream and find your path of service. FOR PROSPERITY Find out the truth of what prosperity means for you, whether it is monetary, energetic, relations, and how to manifest it in your life. FOR LIFE PATH see your path, your purpose, and the way in which your life will unfold with resonance. FOR GUIDANCE- DECISIONS/RELATIONS/CAREER - this can be done for yourself or for another person. Often having someone else journey for information and insight on personal questions can open up possibilities you had not been receiving for yourself. FOR SPACE SPIRITUAL GROWTH see your own expansiveness, feel the element of Ether and its connection to the spirit world, identify your spiritual path.
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TO MEET YOUR SPIRIT GUIDES we are all given guides to aid us on our life journeys. Ask to meet your guides and find out what information they have for you. SHAPESHIFTING HUACA also often done as retrieval, find the sacred item or place that exists for you to aid you in shapeshifting your life. TRAVEL INTO YOUR HUACA if you already have sacred items, i.e., a rock, pendulum, feather, necklace, crystal etc., travel deep into its spirit for insight and information. CONNECT TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH discover what the heart of the Earth has to tell you and the connection of the Earths vibration to that of our own hearts. CONNECT AND LEARN FROM THE ELEMENTS- EARTH AIR FIRE WATER Find your physical and spiritual connection with the qualities of each of the elements. Ask to be initiated into their power. TO ANY ELEMENT OF NATURE CLOUDS, RAIN, THUNDERSTORM, SNOW ETC. our current weather patterns are a source of information and spiritual connection. TO THE 4 DIRECTIONS AND THE SPIRITS THEY HOLD Ask to meet the spirits of the East, South, West and North, and to be initiated into their power. PLANT TOTEM ask to meet the power plants that are among your spirit guides. Shapeshift into them or ask what you need to know now. PACHAMAMA journey to the spirit of mother earth and universal oneness for support and nourishment; find out how you can assist in changing the current western dream to an earth honoring one. SEASONS the Equinoxes and Solstices create a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature. Ask to meet the spirits of Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. MOON CYCLES also offer another chance to connect with the Spirit of Nature. Go to meet the Spirits of the Full Moon, New Moon and Eclipses to gain insight and information. THE LAND OF DREAMS Want to know more about your dreams, good and bad? Ask to be taken to the Land of Dreams where you can re-enter your dream to re-experience it, ask questions of the people and things in it, finish it or even change it. ANCESTORS ask your spirits to take you to an Ancestor who held the shamanic wisdom in your family. Then ask to be initiated into his/her power. HEALINGS Journey to your Spirits to receive an emotional or physical healing. Do healings for each other in the group or anyone outside of the group who asks for a healing. Allow the Spirit guides to do the work. TO THE SPIRIT OF YOUR CURRENT CIRCLE connect with the spirit of your circle; find information on ways to keep the circle serving the highest
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12. The Shamanic Journey Journeying is a classic technique practiced by Shamans and Shamanic Practitioners all over the world. Journeying enables you to send your awareness into the hidden realms of consciousness to connect with wisdom and receive Healing, answers to problems or to discover information that can facilitate your personal growth and understanding. All things in the Universe are connected and all things have Spirit or awareness, therefore we can communicate with all beings with our Spirit. The particularly wonderful implication of this is that YOU are an important part of the grand scheme of things! No one else has your unique blend of talents and way of being you are unique and connected to the web of life. The classic way of entering the Spirit World is by using a steady rhythm of drumming. This encourages theta brain waves that induce the altered state of consciousness required to travel to the Spirit Worlds. The drum is a sacred tool and it has own Spirit. It is used for journeying, healing and other energy work as well as singing and chanting (either to raise power or to have a good time!). The drums own Spirit can often be sensed while it is being played and people often report that they hear other sounds within the drumming such as music, chanting, animal sounds, and it often seems as if the drumming is coming from all around or from varying directions. The drum has been referred to as "The Shamans Horse" as the Shaman "rides" the drumming rhythm to enable him/her to get to the Spirit world and it is like a lifeline enabling them to find their way back quickly and easily. It can also be a timekeeper as the Spirit World exists outside of time and it is difficult to have any concept of time while you are there (for example, 15 minutes may seem like 2 or 3 hours).
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14. The World Tree by Michael Drake In world mythology, The World Tree is the "axis mundi," world axis, or central axis of the cosmos. Images of the World Tree exist in virtually all cultures, and represent the world center and/or the connection between heaven and earth. The axis mundi links heaven and earth as well as providing a path between the two. Many ancient cultures incorporate the myth of the World Tree, Tree of Life, or Tree of Knowledge, as it is also known. It is familiar today as the Rod of Asclepius, the symbol of medicine. The staff is the axis itself, and the serpent or serpents are the guardians or guides to the other realm. Shamans believe that this central axis and the universe it unites lie within the soul, within each of us. According to shamanic cosmology, there are three inner planes of consciousness: the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. The roots of the World Tree touch the Lower World. Its trunk is the Middle World and its branches hold up the Upper World. Humans did not invent these inner realms; they discovered them. Far from being a human contrivance, these archetypal worlds are inherent in the collective unconscious, the common psychological inheritance of humanity. They are woven into the matrix of the psyche. They are a part of our psyche, a part of us whether we choose to become aware of it or not. Through the sound of the drum, which is invariably made of wood from the World Tree, the shaman is transported to the axis within and conveyed from plane to plane. As Tuvan musicologist Valentina Suzukei explains, "There is a bridge on these sound waves so you can go from one world to another. In the sound world, a tunnel opens through which we can passor the shamans spirits come to us. When you stop playing the drum, the bridge disappears."1 The inner axis passes through an opening or hole through which the shaman traverses the inner planes in order to create and change experience and to help others do the
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15. Shaman Wisdom & Shaman Healing By Nina Makofsky The practice of shamanism is derived from ancient spiritual and healing rituals, typically passed from one generation to the next via oral tradition. Shamanic wisdom and healing typically entail the shamanic practitioner's having participated in many shamanic journeys in which the shaman leaves her physical body. The shaman many accomplish this feat by entering a deep, ecstatic trance that permits her to encounter spirit helpers. These entities impart knowledge and energy upon the shaman. Features Traditional shamans utilize lucid dreaming to explore the subconscious and provide healing. This journey may involve ascending upward to the heaven or downward to the underworld. It can also lead to parallel physical realities. This process, also known as shamanic flight, is a way for a shaman to make contact with sources of healing energy and spiritual guidance. In turn, the shaman uses knowledge to help and heal others who are on the shamanic path. Significance Shamanic healers held a prominent role in past societies, fulfilling the role of metaphysician, magician or priest. Shamanic wisdom about human consciousness and the universe's cosmology allows the shaman to act as a connector between the everyday world and the world beyond our physical realities. A shaman is a figure who lives on the edge of reality and society which often requires personal sacrifices. Misconceptions The word shaman has been adopted by many contemporary healers; it is important to clarify that one can study shamanism without being a shaman.
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16. About Shamanism By Rena Sherwood Shamanism is considered one of mankind's oldest branches of pagan belief systems with roots in prehistoric times. Shamans were found all over the world, although the word "shaman" is Siberian. Male and female shamans held a powerful place in aboriginal tribal societies because they could manipulate spirits. Spirits could be ancestors, deities, elemental forces or even from certain diseases. Practicing shamans still exist today. Function 1.Shamans were primarily healers in aboriginal tribal cultures, but they could also seek knowledge from spirits, transform into animals or fly invisibly to spy on enemies in order to advise members of the tribe. Identification 2.Shamans are chosen by other shamans or by the tribe. One identifying trait is that they survived a near death experience through accident or illness. Trance 3.Some shamans enter into trances through hallucinogenic drugs, fasting, sleep deprivation, chanting or drumming. While in the trance, they enter into the realm of spirits and convince the spirits to work for the tribe. Offerings
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17. How to Do a Basic Shamanic Journey Journey work is the healing medicine of shamanism. During a shamanic journey you "work" on the spiritual and energetic realms to solve problems, get guidance and heal energetic imbalances. You will enter a conscious dream state, where you will "travel" to a sacred place and communicate with your higher self, as well as your spirit guides and helpers. Great personal healing can take place during your travels. Follow the steps below to go on a shamanic journey. Things You'll Need: Drumming or rattling music, recorded specifically for shamanic journeys Pillow Blanket Journal Pen Go on a Shamanic Journey 1. Play your shamanic drumming or rattling music. It can also be a combination of both. 2. Lie down on the floor on your back, and make yourself as comfortable as possible. You can lie on a bed, too. Use a pillow. It's possible your body temperature might drop slightly during the journey. This is OK, just make sure you have a blanket to cover yourself with. Close your eyes and tune into the music. Allow the sound to carry you inward. Relax. If you are having trouble relaxing, take some deep breaths.
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18. How to Contact Spirits Through Shamanism Shamanism, the practice of communicating with the spirits, is a religion that has been practiced since Neolithic times. People who practice shamanism believe in 2 different worlds, the material world and the spirit world. Shamanism is used to try to treat spiritual and physical ailments, ranging from serious health issues to simpler problems like insomnia. If you are seeking to contact spirits to heal yourself, you may wish to do so through a drumming ceremony. Drumming is said to help put your consciousness into a meditative state, opening you up to the spirit world. Things You'll Need: --Drum or Drumming CD Decide to Contact Spirits Through Drumming 1.Understand what you hope to achieve by contacting spirits. Some people hope to ask for healing, speak to ancestors or gain more power on their path of shamanism. (This is also called forming your intent. 2. Speak with a shamanism practitioner for recommendations about how to improve your drumming session. You can find a drum circle, as well as a list of practitioners, at The Foundation for Shamanic Studies 3. Consult with a shaman to understand the intricacies of a drumming ceremony. Someone who has been through contact with the spirit world can give you advice.
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19. The Shamanic Journey by Ross Heaven Regardless of other specialties - which may include plant medicine, divination, or healing rituals - the key approach of all shamans both ancient and modern is the shamanic journey. This is a special state of trance consciousness that enables communion with the energy or spirit of the universe. The Sora of India believe, for example, that the shaman can command his soul to leave his body so that the spirits may speak through him. In Siberia, the shaman takes flight to the Otherworld to rescue lost souls. In Haiti, the soul of the shaman goes to Gine (primal Africa) so the Lwa (spirits) can take over his body and transmit their healing through him. The shamanic journey is a method of exploring the spiritual universe, making contact with tutelary spirits, recovering energy that has been lost, or simply finding out more about ourselves and our purpose. It is also quite a simple practice. Anyone should be able to take a basic journey for themselves by following a few easy guidelines. To take any shamanic journey, you need to find a time and a place where you can be alone and undisturbed for 20 minutes or so. Dim the lights or cover your eyes, and lie down on your back with your legs outstretched. Make yourself comfortable. Keep your right arm by your side, fingers straight, and the whole arm relaxed, then bending your left arm and placing it over your forehead so it shields your eyes. This is the classic posture for shamanic journeying. This trance posture comes from the Amazonian Jivaro people and was first described in the book The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner, following his field research there. (1).
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