Jaguar Guardian

Shamanisn - what is it ?

March 21, 2006 |  5 comments
Image Credit: The holy men of almost every continent on Earth have carried out the ancient practise of Shamanism for centuries. Shamanism was the first way in which people could connect and make sense of the worlds around them. The Shaman discovered that the world was made up of different dimensions and planes of existence, and they also made the discovery that it was possible to make a quantum leap, so to speak, across the divide and journey to these worlds. They discovered that it was possible to enter a Non-Ordinary State of Consciousness and converse with nature, plants and animals. They could perceive the spirits inherent in all living things. They also saw how human beings straddle many worlds at once, spiritual and physical.

What is a Shaman?

The word "shaman" in the original Tungus language refers to a person who makes journeys to nonordinary reality in an altered state of consciousness. Adopting the term in the West was useful because people didn't know what it meant. Terms like "wizard," "witch," "sorcerer," and "witch doctor" have their own connotations, ambiguities, and preconceptions associated with them. Although the term is from Siberia, the practice of shamanism existed on all inhabited continents. Dr Michael HarnerShamanism underlays all the other spiritual practises on the planet, it has been the foundation of the spiritualism of most religions today and the most distinctive feature of shamanism is the journey to other worlds in an altered state of consciousness.The Shaman, through an ecstatic trance, could channel or converse with spirits and ask for cures to numerous diseases and problems within the tribe. He/she was a mediator, a teacher, a priest and a respected elder. Their presence brought stability, prosperity and unity to a tribe. No tribe could be without one. In essence the Shaman is "the expert who directly confront the supernatural" for evidence of religious reality. In simplest terms, adherents to most Western religions get their description of God and heaven from books, while shamans get theirs from visiting.So why then are we living our lives in this modern urban jungle without the guidance of a Shaman? How can we as a global tribe survive, prosper and maintain stability? Modern religions have failed us in modern times. They hold no mystery or grandeur. The practice of shamanism is a method, not a religion. In fact it can and does exist side by side with other religions. Shamanism existed in animistic cultures but also in it has begun to rise in modern times too. Animism means that people believe there are spirits, a belief that has found a new breath of life in modern society. The shaman communicates with spirits to get results such as healing. Shamans talk with plants and animals, with all of nature. They do it in an altered state of consciousness. They know that by talking with plants, they can discover how to prepare those plants for remedies. Shamans have been doing this since ancient times.Shamen know that everything that's ever been known, everything that can be known, is available to them in their Altered State of Consciousness. That's why shamans can go back and look at the past. They have discovered that with discipline, training, and the help of the spirits, this total source of knowledge is accessible.

The Return of Shamanism

Organised Religion, and politics for that matter, has been the cause of grief to many peoples, they have been the cause of wars and genocide has been carried out in their name. These indoctrinated and dogmatic institutions have led us into strife. They have made us forget our inherently magical nature. Our inner being. So where do we go from here?There has been, in the past few years, a dramatic return of Esoteric, Occult and Spiritual interests and practises. Shamanism is among these growing lists of Alternative Religions. People are returning to these for the mystery and personal experience with Creation and Unity with nature and the universe. The Church will call us Pagans and Heretics for doing this, but the simple truth is that this form of religion existed LONG before any of those institutions sprang up. In my eyes it is they who are the heretics.The thing that Shamanism can offer today is no teachings, just personal experience of the Universe and the worlds that constitute its structure.

You can go anywhere with it. Anyone can practise it. All you need is a little time each day and a small area to work in.Shamanism can help you learn respect for the planet. Respect for all living things. It gives you peace of mind, body and soul, but most importantly, it provides a means to communicate with the creative energies in the universe.Now, what sounds better to you? Stay a sheep, sitting in some stuffy oratory undergoing mass hypnotism with the rest of the 'flock', listening to some old man bleating on about something that happened thousands of years ago. Or would you rather get out there (or in there since your consciousness is what constitutes the Universe) and see for yourself. Life is all about experiences. It's time you became aware of your hidden potential.Have fun exploring your potential Comments (5)

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