What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is a diverse spiritual and healing practice found in many cultures around the world. While practices vary widely among different shamanic traditions, the overarching principle is often centered on the belief in a spiritual world that interacts with the physical world. In shamanic healing, the shaman acts as a mediator between these realms, working to restore balance and harmony to the individual and at times to whole communities.
One way shamanism addresses past wounds is through the concept of soul retrieval. Shamans believe that traumatic experiences can cause a fragmentation of the soul, where parts of a person’s essence become lost or disconnected. Through rituals, journeying, and other techniques, the shaman seeks out these lost soul parts and helps to reintegrate them, bringing healing and wholeness to the individual.
Another aspect of shamanic healing involves working with spirit guides, ancestors, and other spiritual allies to gain insight into the root causes of past wounds. By accessing these spiritual realms, the shaman can uncover hidden patterns, traumas, or unresolved issues that may be contributing to the individual’s suffering. Through ceremonies, rituals, and energetic work, the shaman helps to release and transform these underlying causes, allowing the individual to heal on a deeper level.
Shamanic healing also often involves working with the natural world, including plants, animals, and elements, to facilitate healing and transformation. Practices that engage the elements and animals found in nature vision quests, and ceremonies are commonly used to support healing and growth.
Ultimately, shamanism views healing as a holistic process that addresses not only the physical symptoms of illness or distress but also the underlying spiritual, emotional, and energetic imbalances that contribute to them. By reconnecting individuals with their spiritual essence and the natural world, shamanic healing seeks to restore harmony and vitality to the individual and their community.
What is a modern day Shaman?
In contemporary society, the term “modern-day shaman” is often used to describe individuals who draw upon shamanic principles and practices in their healing work, spiritual guidance, or personal development. These individuals may not necessarily belong to traditional shamanic cultures or lineages but instead integrate shamanic techniques into their own unique approach to healing and spirituality.
Modern-day shamans can be found in various settings, including alternative healing practices, spiritual coaching, counseling, and workshops. They may incorporate elements such as journeying, energy work, ritual, ceremony, and working with spirit guides into their practice.
Some modern-day shamans also work with tools like drums, rattles, crystals, and sacred plants to facilitate healing and transformation.
Overall, a modern-day shaman is someone who applies shamanic principles and practices in contemporary contexts, often with a focus on healing, personal growth, and spiritual awakening. They may offer their services as healers, guides, mentors, or teachers, helping individuals reconnect with their inner wisdom, heal past wounds, and navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and clarity.
How does a Shaman work with human problems?
In our Western society, we try to solve every problem with only two levels of perception, Physical / Literal and the Mental / Emotional. But indigenous cultures believe this to be limiting. Native practices believe that healing takes place on the Mythic level and transformation (permanent change) takes place at the level of Energy. More importantly, each level influences the next, so we need to connect with all four levels of perception to experience a fully lived life. When we use the Medicine Wheel, it allows us to travel and work at the Mythic level where increasing intuition and healing takes place.
What does “Journeying” mean and what does it entail?
Journeying is one of the Shaman’s tools. Shamans are able to travel through three worlds (upper, middle and lower) in non-ordinary time. There is a world full of help and healing above us, a world full of unconditional love and guidance below us and gentle wisdom all around us. Wehave a kind, generous and loving spiritual teacher living in the shamanic upper world who has been looking out for our well-being ever since we arrived. We have a power-animal ally who lives in the shamanic lower world, who has been protecting and guiding us for years. And in the middle world where we live right now, are trees, birds, stars, sun, moon and stone spirits all calling out to us, singing “you are loved”, and reminding us that we are not alone. A shaman can journey and bring back information and gifts to help and support an individual’s healing.
Maria T. Alonso 