The Journey Challenge – The Upcoming Challenges Aug 19 – Sep 9 For the next four weeks, we’ll work with the Shaman’s Journey Cards: The Drummer, the Dancer, The Traveler, and the Shapeshifter. These represent the steps of the Shamanic Journey. What sets Shamanism apart from other spiritual practices is this journey wherein the Shaman travels consciously to otherworlds to gather information, wisdom, and healing. The Shaman returns with these gifts of the Spirits and provides them to the community. This is a very distinct description: by it the methods of Guided Meditation (where someone else tells you where to go and what to experience) and Personal Magic are excluded. I am not suggesting that GM and Magic are not effective, needed, and important – only that they are not Shamanism (IMHO.) Spirit Talking and Channeling too do not fall into the category of Shamanism, but may well be done by Shamans. There’s no judgment here: only clarification, which western people like to have (me too!) For our purpose, let’s keep to the Shamanic Journey described above as being the distinguishing action. Perhaps the most important aspect of the Shamanic Journey is the sharing of the knowledge and healing once the Shaman returns. If you are taking journeys and healing yourself, good on you. Taking charge of your health and welfare is to be applauded. You aren’t a Shaman in that case, but did you need to be? Many of us are Shamanic Practitioners rather than Shamans. I would ask anyone to consider truly if they are a Shaman before using the term. It is an old title bestowed consciously by a community on those who are dedicated to their safety and well being. There is absolutely nothing wrong with leaving the word Shaman for those who come from traditional communities where Shamans are a part. One can be a Shamanist, a Shamanic Practitioner, or no title at all. You can do healing for others or just for yourself. Why am harping on this? Sorry … I just get all...
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 16:03:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015