What is "Shaman"?

I was born and raised in Utah. 

The idea of "Shamanism" wasn't on my list of things to be or explore. The concept was nothing I knew of. 

We see "Shamans" portrayed in media, film, and cartoons as parody's or powerful enigmas, often they are depicted as evil troublemakers with bone necklaces. That isn't who I am. (full disclosure- I may have a bone necklace)

Over the past decade of Shamanic study and teaching I've found a wide variety of people seeking the shamanic way. Often, they have left a religious path and are searching for a form of spirituality that is more freeform. Shamanism is a perfect avenue for that. Sometimes, I find that many people are influenced by the idea that shamans have some supernatural power or that to be a shaman you must have the right bloodline or heritage, these people are often drawn to the illusion of power they associate with shamanism. 

Shamanism, finds you.

The word "shaman" became most widely used when anthropologists studied the Tuskegee tribe in Siberia and copied the Tuskegee word "Saman" to describe their spiritual guide,  This word was then adopted by anthropologists indiscriminately to define a type of spiritual practice that was not a traditional religion. 

So, while in South America, the word for a spiritual leader in the Munay Ki lineage was "Laika" not  "Shaman" the anthropologists used the word regardless. It became a word to blanket define anyone or any practice that didn't fit the mold of religion.

In Western culture, the word "shaman" is sometimes considered offensive because of this stereotypical classification. There are those who will say you can't be a shaman if you are white and others who say to use the word at all is a stance of ego. Part of this aversion is due to the idea that shamanism is a place of prestige. An echo of the devastation white culture has propagated onto indigenous cultures. What white culture has done is inexcusable. But we must also understand that shamanism is found among all colors of skin in our world heritage. 

While, a shamanic practitioner who is trained in the way of shamanism would understand that to be a shaman is to be in a place of service and humility; to dedicate one's life to the survival of the tribe. The lifestyle of shamanism was typically rigorous and dedicated. Corrupt shamans sought to be worshipped as much as corrupt priests and leaders have- but a true shaman supplicated themselves for their people and the service and honor of all. 

In studying the etymology of the word "Shaman" beyond the Tuskegee tribe, we learn that the roots of the word began in India and Tibet. 

Origin of the Word Shaman by Berthold Laufer

We also know that shamanic practices are often universally similar. It is the oldest form of spiritual practice and virtually all religious practices and ceremonies grew from the shamanic way. 

For example, the use of incense in cathedrals was used to mask the body odor of the congregation, but it mirrors the practice of "smudging." The burning of sage, juniper, lavender, rosemary, mugwort, or other fragrant herbs to "clear" energy and transcend into a spiritual process. (This practice of "smudging" can be found on all continents in ancient rituals, but the word "smudging" is specific to North America.)

Another example is Baptism. Using water, one of the four elements, for energetic transformation and healing. 

Forms of shamanism can be identified as we look to the Druids or Celts, the African Sahara, the Australian outback and more. Shamanism is the most equal and encompassing practice of spirituality, mainly, because it's the roots of almost all practices found elsewhere.  

Some of the basics you will find across the globe are: the understanding that all of life- plant, animal, mineral are connected. That the elements are in cohesive harmony and create transformation. That there is an essence of guidance to know that is beyond the five senses. 

 

image credit Robin Johnson Photography

While in Huichol shamanism from Mexico the spirit guide for navigating the spirit plane is the deer, in the Munay Ki it is the Jaguar that tracks the destiny lines through dimensions, in Celtic Shamanism you call upon the Green Man, for a Christian it may be through prayer or angels. But the concept is the same. 

A traditional shaman was usually initiated by a life altering experience. A dance with death- surviving a feat that most others did not. A snake bite or injury, being struck by lightning, etc. Others were molded from infancy to develop their spiritual gifts. The shaman was expected to guide the tribe to safety and to interpret the messages from the spiritual realm for the survival of the community. It was never meant to be a place of honor and worship- but a sacrifice and daily practice. If your interpretations of the spirit ream led the tribe astray, your death was the price to pay.

One trend that I see in the Western shamanic community is the overuse of hallucinogenic "plant medicines" as answers to spiritual questions or dilemma. 

In studying Huichol Shamanism, the type of shamanism that is credited for bringing Peyote to the west decades ago, the shamans would spend all year mentally preparing with rigorous painful rites of passages, preparing the mind and body to be able to accurately decode the messages of the Peyote. 

Dancing all night without stopping, lying with your feet to the fire without getting burned, doing year long fruit only fasts, and other self discipline practices to strengthen the mind, body, and soul. 

Once a year, they would travel for miles on quest to retrieve the cactus and to receive guidance for their village. Always knowing that if their preparation was incomplete, they could be carried away by the spirits or be deceived by entities. A deceived shaman who led their village astray was often sacrificed. While we now know medically, that these plant medicines can cause brain damage- shamans of old didn't understand the science behind the chemical interaction in the brain- but they did witness the effects of "bad trips." It was always understood that psychedelic journeying was a risk and a sacrifice that shaman was willing to take for the welfare of their people with discernment and sparingly.

A practice very different than our modern day Western "shamanic" monthly and weekly dosing. (I would also like to note here that in the scientific community and psychology there are many studies showing the benefits of plant medicines for depression and mental health- but all of these studies include support with a licensed therapist and ongoing coaching.)

Ultimately, shamanism is a journey of discovery. Shamanism is a commitment to be a student of the world, nature, the cosmos and the earth. To learn to find the answers within you by learning from the reflection of life around you. 

We use the elements; fire, water, earth, air, ether and the law of balance- sometimes known as Yin and Yang. 

There is no one specific deity but there is also awareness of a universal guidance that keeps us in harmony and flow. That the thread of life is woven between us all and that there is a realm of hidden mysteries beyond us. This hidden realm is revealed deep within the caverns of self-discovery and release of attachment to ego.

Shamanism is not a practice of Light. Just like witchcraft, it is dependent upon the practitioner. The ceremonies will work regardless of the shaman's intent, because the ceremonies are based on the four elements- the foundational blocks of alchemy; so when seeing a shaman or engaging in a practice; ask the questions: Is this of the Light? Is this hiding information? Is this inhibiting freedom of another? 

Secrets and inhibiting freedom are dark practices. Trying to control others or lift oneself to a place of prestige would also be darkness.

As a shaman, understanding karmic law, any intention of darkness will boomerang back to me or my posterity. It is said "seven-fold" meaning for seven generations or seven times worse that what my original intent was. 

I witness many shamans who are taught to practice or engage in shamanic ways that are dark -but they are being led to believe that it is okay to mess with other peoples energy for "the greater good." The end justifying the means. Be wary of anybody that say this. They are dangerous.

Shamanism is a beautiful philosophy and lifestyle. It is a reverence for all life and understanding that we are all part of it. There is no one better or worse than another and no pedestal to stand on. It is connecting to the world around you, the earth, the sky, the cosmos. Knowing that nothing ever dies but that all of life is transformation. To surrender to the flow of transformation and to pay attention to the mysteries within the self and listen to the messages being given by life itself.

Shamanism is the openness to learn more, to change and shift, to seek truth and to walk the truth you deem as part of you. To listen to the song of all that is and all that is One- the music of life as is found in simple things.

True shamanism is cohesive with any religious practice, an addition to whatever your cultural expectations are. 

While religions and nations have risen and fallen, the shamanic way has always been and continues on. 

Shamanism most simply put, is communication with all that is. Learning the language of life. 

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