Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
"Our age wants to experience the psyche for itself ... knowledge, instead of faith." ~Carl Jung
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Shamanism is an ancient method of holistic healing and gaining insight to important life questions. One of the most basic beliefs of this healing art is that power, or life force energy, is inherent in all things, and that everything is alive and connected in mutually supportive ways to everything else in our universe, now and throughout time. This interconnected web of life has an infinite amount of power to send to the physical world. That is, if we act as a bridge between the spiritual and mundane worlds to access that power.
Understanding, tapping into, and feeding this web of power that resides in the subtle energetic field all around supports our evolution toward greater holistic health. As our consciousness and experience of this connection of body/mind/spirit expands, we feel the pull to be in deeper relationship with ourselves, our community, and other beings, including Earth. |
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Making an elk skin drum, Mt. Shasta, CA
The shamanic practitioner uses drumming (and other methods) as an entry point to consult with compassionate spirit teachers to heal him or herself and to get support to heal physical and emotional issues for the community. The shamanic practitioner connects with the wisdom of spirits via shamanic journeying (or visioning).
The power to heal comes from the spirits, and the shamanic practitioner acts as a conduit to bring the healing from the spirit realm (aka non-ordinary reality) to the people in the community in consensus reality (aka ordinary reality). One of the distinguishing characteristics of the shamanic practitioner is the conscious choice he or she makes to move back and forth between these realities with discipline and intention in order to heal others.
Shamanic journeying is a basic practice or technique for the purpose of healing which is common to many indigenous cultures that have lived in close relationship with the cycles of the Earth. Through this method, shamanic practitioners meet with and get support from benevolent spirit teachers in non-ordinary realities, which may include ancestors, nature spirits and animal spirits, for the benefit of individuals who request healing. Getting permission to do healing or divination work for the individual is an important principle that all ethical healers uphold.
Throughout history, indigenous people of many different cultures including (but not limited to) Siberian peoples, native North and South American tribes, Celtic groups, and Australian aboriginals, have utilized methods of contacting our other-than-human relations (including nature, animal, compassionate spirit teachers and ancestor spirits). They have used tools such as journeying, as well as chanting and singing, to call to the Great Mystery to hear their prayers for healing and support. A strong intention for healing and guidance from the client and the shamanic practitioner is also important for the success of the healing or divination.
The power to heal comes from the spirits, and the shamanic practitioner acts as a conduit to bring the healing from the spirit realm (aka non-ordinary reality) to the people in the community in consensus reality (aka ordinary reality). One of the distinguishing characteristics of the shamanic practitioner is the conscious choice he or she makes to move back and forth between these realities with discipline and intention in order to heal others.
Shamanic journeying is a basic practice or technique for the purpose of healing which is common to many indigenous cultures that have lived in close relationship with the cycles of the Earth. Through this method, shamanic practitioners meet with and get support from benevolent spirit teachers in non-ordinary realities, which may include ancestors, nature spirits and animal spirits, for the benefit of individuals who request healing. Getting permission to do healing or divination work for the individual is an important principle that all ethical healers uphold.
Throughout history, indigenous people of many different cultures including (but not limited to) Siberian peoples, native North and South American tribes, Celtic groups, and Australian aboriginals, have utilized methods of contacting our other-than-human relations (including nature, animal, compassionate spirit teachers and ancestor spirits). They have used tools such as journeying, as well as chanting and singing, to call to the Great Mystery to hear their prayers for healing and support. A strong intention for healing and guidance from the client and the shamanic practitioner is also important for the success of the healing or divination.
