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The Shamanic Way of Life Bridging the Human and Spirit Worlds—Then and Now In the ancient religions of the world, there were gifted members within the tribe who could intervene between the human world and the spirit world—the Shamans—whose role was vital to the community. The term "Shaman", taken from the ancient languages of Asia, refers to wisdom. The Shaman, often an individual recognized for having a special talent or ability to commune with the spirit kingdom, could communicate with animals, enter altered states, and prophesize for the future of the people. But the Shaman was more than a mere magician or healer. Walking the Spirit Pathway The Shamans of early society were visionaries who held the distinction of guiding the people through their shamanic journeys into other realms. Sometimes hallucinogenic plant medicines were used to catalyze the transition to different planes of existence, but often a shaman was able to enter a trance-like state of communion through meditation, or by prayer and fasting, or simply by means of their innate gifts.  The healers of indigenous cultures that I have visited and apprenticed with have stressed the importance of attunement to the physical world through the innate wisdom of the body and its relationship to the spiritual world. Plants, animals and all living beings are all part of a greater Life-Force that exists in all things. It is this quantum field of all knowledge that the modern shaman seeks to access through practices that have evolved through ancient means such as rituals, dreaming, mystical journeying and altered states of consciousness. The new shaman incorporates these ancient practices with modern psychic methodologies that include psychology, religion, meditation, the Buddhist philosophy of non-dual reality, the use of plant medicines and hallucinogens and other disciplines. New Shamanism The new shamanism of our post-modern civilization builds upon the practices and theories of ancient tribal shamanism with some important elements that integrate the challenges and features of current sociological problems. The time-honored tradition of shamanism is still alive today with shamans of indigenous cultures as well as the new shamans of modern society. The shaman continues to take on the role of promoting healing and spiritual well-being within the cultural milieu of its population—whether in custom-bound tribal society or in modern, civilized cultures. In the indigenous culture, the forms of the ancient religions are practiced in much the same way as they were thousands of years ago. In modern societies, new shamans practice rituals of healing, prophecy and communion with the spirit world by integrating ancient methods with intuition, talents and even science. Communication with a guardian spirit, consulting the plant devas, or designating a personal animal totem are all tasks familiar to the shamans of old, but these divinatory practices have also entered the domain of the new shaman. These wise and unique people can utilize the knowledge that has been acquired through the arts and sciences to further connect the human, everyday world, with the higher, spiritual realms. A multi-disciplinary approach is then used to provide healing, to advise, and to encourage spiritual growth. New shamanism is evolving to include the sciences of physics, ethno-botany, chemistry and biology to help guide the community to closer contact with the spiritual planes of existence. They do so through education, by conducting rites of passage, ceremonies and through encouraging the practice of prayer and meditation to more firmly establish an ecstatic way of living and the development of a strong link to inner guidance. In my shamanic practice, I use plant medicines and ritual practices from indigenous cultures with whom I have apprenticed, as well as direct methods of communion with the Source of Life that I have developed in my own personal spiritual journey to heal myself and others, gain wisdom, and to further explore the unknown. My experience as a shamanic guide can add insight to your own journeys, wherever they may take you. ~ ~ ~
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