What is Shamanism?

Shamanism is thought to be the oldest spiritual practice in human history, transcending borders and found in cultures throughout the world. Although most Americans equate shamanism with Native American beliefs, the near-universal principles and practices of core shamanism are not bound to any specific group or perspective. The practices, rituals, and ceremonies of Shamanism have been used by thousands of people for thousands of years.

 

The word Shaman originates in Siberia. It defines certain medicine people who use altered states of consciousness to travel to the hidden worlds of spirit to obtain help and guidance for healing. These hidden worlds are known through archetypes, myth, dream, and near-death experiences. These worlds are populated by powerful beings to whom one can request and receive help, teaching, protection, healing, guidance, etc.

 

To become a shaman, one must learn to pierce the veil between the world of our “ordinary” day-to-day existence, and step through to the realm of Spirit – Source, God, Creator (there are many words used to describe the same loving light of energy that exists in the “non-ordinary” reality where shamans have learned to travel).

 

Shamanism uses various techniques, rituals, and ceremonies, as well as sound to connect and communicate with the realm of spirit. In that realm, beings exist that inhabit other worlds, many invisible to our eyes. The spirits can take many forms – angels, ascended masters, our ancestors, great teachers, animals, the elements, etc. Most of these spirits are interested in helping humans. The Shamanic Practitioner has learned to access these benevolent and compassionate spirits to restore the balance that has been lost in people and on earth.

 

The ancient way of connecting to Spirit through the Shamanic Journey technique brings useful and pragmatic tools to heal and transform. Shamanism provides a magical and powerful way to communicate with the divine forces of the universe, the energy of creation and transformation that exists around and within us at all times.

 

A basic premise of Shamanism is that everything is a dream, co-created by each individual with the assistance of their spirit guides, and that all dreams are real. To change our current reality, we must change the dream. When a Shamanic Practitioner accesses guidance from the spirit realm, they bring that knowledge to ordinary reality, transforming the energy of our dream, and causing the disturbed energy at the base of illness, struggle, and strife to transform to the energy of Source light.

 

Shamanism is a spiritual system based on the belief that we are all one, that everything is alive and conscious, and that everything is connected. Because we are all connected, what is not working for one affects all. If there is sickness, everyone is touched by it, and for all to be restored, each individual must be healed. That is the path of the Shaman: to search for answers to restore health to all souls through the vibrational use of energy.