Shamanism
Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual paths on Earth. It offers a way to wake up to your potential, and begin to explore your spiritual relationship with the universe, with other forms of life, and with each other. Shamanism is a way in which humanity has sought a connection to the world of healing, maintaining balance and harmony in society and with the individual and keeping our connection with Mother Earth and All Creation.
The Shaman looks to Mother Earth for their vision of power,
through symbols in nature. Shamanism is a relationship with spirits in which
you journey into the realms of the spirit world. Shamans are spiritual beings
with the ability to heal, work with energies and 'see' visions. And is a personal
quest for inner power and knowledge. It has no specific pantheon of gods and
is attached to no particular culture. It is a way of looking at the world
and at your-self.
Shamanism everywhere is concerned with the health of Mother Earth, animals,
plants, and minerals. Due to human interference Mother Earth is in a precarious
state. This condition in future decades can be improved by spiritual practices
that use ancient shaman rituals of our ancestors who lived in harmony with
nature for thousands of years. Number one being respect.
Spirit power is within you, and your animal brothers and sisters, plants,
rocks, and the wind. Shamans believe that the answers are found within. Your
spirit self is in constant communication with nature. In tribal cultures,
shamans serve as spiritual advisors, healers, diviners, conduits of souls
into the land of the dead, storytellers, and ceremonialists. Shaman experiences
are when animals appear in dreams or physical reality, voices are heard in
the wind or in a stream. The spirits of the deceased visit the living with
instructions or requests, serious illness or near-death experience awakens
a persons need to follow a spiritual way of living. You will know if Shamanism
is right for you, you will feel it. You must become aware of nature, relearn
or reprogram your way of seeing your surroundings. Use natural descriptions
of objects. Relate descriptions and colors to nature. Exercise this by relaxing
in nature. Open up all your senses to your natural surroundings. Journeys
increase our capacity for the love of life, and deepen our faith in the sacredness
of creation. We forget to relax in this day and age.
Sit down on the ground facing a tree. Sit as close to the tree as you can.
Close your eyes and just sit, breathe...reach out and touch the tree; feel
it, keeping eyes closed, use other senses to note the trees characteristics.
Wonder how old it is, how long has it stood through storms, heat and cold.
This is just the beginning of connecting with nature. If you feel self-conscious
and uncomfortable about sitting with a tree, it is because society has the
upper hand of your spirit. Relax and appreciate nature. Sit facing a large
rock, or place a stone in your palm. Relax on top of a mountain, or in a valley.
Sit by the edge of a river, pond, or ocean. Feel the wind and sky. Be thankful
for your surroundings and don't take nature for granted.
Make yourself a medicine bag or medicine bundle. Have you ever heard the term
"good medicine or bad medicine"? This is not referring to pharmaceuticals.
Good medicine can be anything special to you. For example, it could include
an acorn you found while sitting with a Oak tree, or a shell you found at
a beach. Whenever you find a stone, shell, feather, or any "medicine"
give thanks to it, and never be greedy. Stones can be purchased at powwows
and rock shops if you feel a connection to a certain element that does not
exist in the natural environment around you. The contents of your bag are
personal, only you and the spirits know what is inside. A Medicine Wheel can
also help you connect with nature.
A shaman journey is never done alone. You must have a spirit
guide. Finding your spirit guide and getting acquainted will be your first
journey. Traditionally a drum or rattle is used during journey, but it is
not required. Sit alone, eyes closed, begin drumming or rattle. Imagine an
open space on Mother Earth; you are moving toward an animal, it is coming
toward you. You approach one another submissively and get to know each other.
This should take some time; just relax. After you are acquainted, thank your
spirit guide and let them know you will meet again soon. Take a few deep breaths
and slowly open your eyes. Write down your journey. Note the location where
you met, be very descriptive as to what you experienced. Most importantly
describe your spirit guide.
Give thanks to the Great Spirit, Four Directions, Mother Earth, Father Sky, and for life within you and for all life around you. Remember all things are connected and have a purpose. If you have more than you need, consider performing a "giveaway". Seek harmony and balance in all things. Show respect to all your brothers and sisters, two legged and four legged, winged, finned and green, all things. Listen to guidance offered by your surroundings, expect this guidance to come in the form of prayer, dreams, journeys, and in words of Elders. Listen to your heart. Learn from experiences, and always be open to new ones. Live each day to the fullest.
The shaman's path is the path of the self in deepest connection
to nature. A shaman stands centered and in balance with Mother Earth through
nature, realizing that life itself is sacred. We must be able to walk between
worlds and know their geographies, and not fall off the bridges between the
worlds. Life is a sacred journey that leads us home.