The Shamanic Path

I consider myself to be on a shamanic path; experiencing a strong bond with nature, and a realization of equality with all of Creation. Not the type of equality that each individual (Human, animal, plant or mineral) is the same, but more that each in their uniqueness has a specific role in the whole and as such are of equal value to nature, the earth and the universe.

In this respect shamanism to me at least, means to live life in a way that has a strong bond with nature. To respect others, but also to respect animals, plants and trees, and even rocks and stones for the unique energies that they have, and the unique parts they fulfill in the whole.

This ‘whole’ then, is the ‘whole’ that I can experience: my more or less immediate environment. Even though I know and sense that the ‘whole’ encompasses the earth and even the universe, it is in my immediate environment that I can touch nature’s wholeness. In my direct environment I can influence nature and be influenced by it.

According to this definition of shamanism, topics that are often linked to shamanism like healing or conversing with the Ancestors can be part of a shamanic experience, but don’t have to be...

And the same is true for drumming, chanting, dancing, and the use of drugs that facilitate entering a different realm of consciousness.

Although I like drumming, chanting and dancing as part of a shamanic experience ~ living in a Western society, in a row house with thin walls puts certain limits on the use of those techniques.

I find that the use of drugs, something that was (and is) an accepted method to travel from one layer of consciousness to another; is something that can easily be replaced by meditative techniques...

With every small adaptation to the way in which shamanism was understood, a distance is created between the shamanism of ancient times, and the shamanic path of today. This means that a ‘new’ shamanism is emerging ~ a shamanism that can be applied in this day and age, in our Western culture. A shamanic path that can be traveled even if you have a job, a family, or if you are living on the fifth floor of an apartment building.

Making changes like this is not new to shamanism. These very changes account for the differences between shamanism that can be found in Africa, Siberia, Mongolia, South and Middle America and the practices of the Native Americans.

The underlying energy that makes the shamanic path so powerful, independent from the area it is practiced in, is the strong bond with nature. The respect for nature and humanity alike.

And this is definitely something that is needed in this day and age.

#thereturnoftheshaman