Shamanism Inspires Us
From ancient times, Shamanism has never lost its essence. Old as time yet spiritually potent and full of life. Shamanic practices are found in cultures worldwide, and they’re practical and adaptable. For Millenium, Shamanism has coexisted with cultures, systems of government, and religious practices.
It was traced that every religion, from Buddhism to Christianity, and many formalised religions originated from ancient shamanic roots and still bear the shamanic threads of deep divine connection.
Contrary to people’s thought, Shamanism is not a formalised system of beliefs or an ideology. It’s a group of activities and experiences shared by shamans in cultures around the world.
Individual practice
Nowadays, in non-indigenous cultures, Shamanism is studied and practised as a life path. Following a shamanistic perspective, individuals seek to be in a relationship with the spirit in all things. They seek to use information and guidance from the supernatural to form a unique life experience for themself, especially one geared towards peace of mind.
This perspective is not inherently contradictory to any religious practice that allows a person to be in a direct relationship with whatever they perceive as a higher power.
As your instructor, I will demystify Shamanism, making it accessible and easily understandable.
The Four Directions
- Stages of life: birth, youth, adult (or elder), death.
- Seasons of the year: spring, summer, winter, autumn.
- Aspects of life: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical
- Elements of nature: fire (or sun), air, water, and earth.
- Animals: Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Jaguar, Serpent, Hummingbird. And many others
- Ceremonial plants: tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, cedar.
The movement in the medicine wheel, both generally and in Native American ceremonies, is circular and typically in a clockwise or “sunwise” direction. It assists us in aligning with the natural flow and forces of nature. The rising and setting of the sun.
You can create sacred space and summon the healing power of nature anywhere on earth. The invocation in this course was basically the one I was taught to keep the course origins. In fact, it has elements in it shared by many Native American peoples. The more you learn, the more you see differences. The similarities are striking when the essence is distilled.
“In many shamanic traditions, optimum health is considered to be the equal expression of these archetypes. Indigenous peoples consider it vitally important to be balanced in all four areas: leading, healing, visioning, and teaching. For most people, however, this balance is far from reality.” —Angeles Arriens
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
- A time to be born and a time to die,
- A time to plant and a time to uproot,
- A time to kill and a time to heal,
- A time to tear down and a time to build,
- A time to weep and a time to laugh,
- A time to mourn and a time to dance,
- A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
- A time to embrace and a time to refrain,
- A time to search and a time to give up,
- A time to keep and a time to throw away,
- A time to tear and a time to mend,
- A time to be silent and a time to speak,
- A time to love and a time to hate,
- A time for war and a time for peace.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. Plato o.
Plato inspires me to think deeply
The more we breathe
The more we receive.
There are two worlds out there seemingly existing side by side, rubbing shoulders with each other. One world goes on its day-to-day business unaware of the other.
In one world the people are deeply engaged in a life long struggle and burning for power, they are driven by lust and greed.
In the other world, it almost appears unrelated, maybe a different planet for there is only grace, and the mandate to create.
Which world are you choosing?
When our vibration is high, every cell in our being is ecstatically vibrating, we allow and maintain positive experiences. When it lowers we move into our wounded selves. Breathe deeply going deep inside, ask your inner guides, your Shiva and Shakti gods within to alchemise and raise you higher.
Breathe softly and long, melting, unwinding, releasing, creating the space within for love to enter.
Allow magic to happen and it will.
Our breath inspires us – it is our first friends – the one who greets us as we leave our mother’s womb. Breath is the last friend to say goodbye as we receive our last breath in this lifetime.
When we let our breath inspire us – we choose life.
