Shamanism...

[darkchild]

Ok, here goes. I have always known that I was a little different. When I was 6 yrs. old, I had a near-death experience that has been crystal clear in my memory ever since...except for the fact that I didn't see it as that. I almost drowned in a stock tank on our family ranch, but while I was submerged in the water, it felt like a lifetime had passed and I saw things and beings that have never left me. When I was pulled out of the water, I was unconscious, but I felt the loss of leaving the place that had felt more like home than this world has ever been.

Since that time, due to my upbringing (I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness), any mention of my feelings on this topic were quickly ended with a talk about being "demonized" and a prayer to help me. Regardless of that, I have always tried to revisit that place and searched for ways to do it short of death. I have also been on a lifelong quest to help people, I am a healer by nature. About a year ago, I found a book on Shamanism and was immediately drawn to the idea. I have felt unworthy of even trying to study it for myself because I was told by someone that you had to be born into it. I have purchased many books on the topic recently and they say differently. This has been a long post for such a short question, but here it is. What do you all think about it? I feel that I have been called to it since childhood, but I could be wrong. I am confused.


Thanks for any advice you may give.


Dawn

[Eleisawolf]

Just a thought to consider:

Those who served "shamanic" or wise-person/holy fool functions for their cultures were not always born into their traditions. They were often people who DID have near-death experiences and came back with knowledge of the mysteries. Many times they went on vision quests and discovered they were destined to such roles because their vision contained certain elements, including following a path, meeting death in some way, coming back to life in some way, and learning from guides.

Read "Shamanism" by Mircea Eliade to start. It is a more scientific study of the aspects of these roles in the cultures that use them. Then consider whether it makes sense to you and decide whether you should move on.

However, take care in approaching these roles. Trying to learn techniques connected directly with certain tribes may not be effective unless you learn within the context of their culture.

Shamanism itself is a specific tribal culture belonging to the Tungus people in Siberia. We in our culture have usurped the word because we didn't really have one for it. However, it's a good idea to separate the general practices of what modern European/American society calls shamanism from the specific practices refined by different tribes. If you follow the guidelines in this way, I don't think you'll have a problem studying it. And remember, your experience is yours alone, and no one can take it from you, even if they think you were wrong to have it. They obviously don't make that decision and neither do you.

[darkchild]

Eliasawolf, thank you for the information. I do not intend to learn from any specific tribe, I don't feel that I would be honoring their traditions by doing that. I have been studying Finnish paganism for a short time, I just came across it recently and there isn't much about it that has been translated into English. I have learned that it has "Shamanic" roots. I do feel that I have been chosen, so to speak, and I want to honor that. I will read the book that you suggested, I appreciate that you took the time to give me this information. Thank you again.


Dawn

[Vigdisdotter]

I have felt unworthy of even trying to study it for myself because I was told by someone that you had to be born into it.

Depends on what you mean by "born into it." While it's NICE to be born into the kind of cultural/family upbringing (since much of the teaching would be part of daily life) it's just as likely for someone to be born with a talent for it. After all, the practise had to start with someone.

I have purchased many books on the topic recently and they say differently.

Out of curiosity, which books have you read on the subject? And do you have a cultural tradition your interested in? Or are you working on Core Shamanism at this point?

What do you all think about it? I feel that I have been called to it since childhood, but I could be wrong. I am confused.

I think you should follow your heart and listen to your instincts. The Spirits will get your attention one way or the other and ignoring tends to make things.....interesting :P

[darkchild]

Hi Erin,
I agree with you. Someone had to start a tradition somehow.
Books that I have been able to get my hands on are:
The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner
Shamanism and Personal Mastery by Gini Graham Scott
Shamanism compiled by Shirley Nicholson (this one has lots of authors)
Wind Wolf Woman by Mahinto

There are a couple more that I can't find right now, but I haven't read them completely.

I have been looking for the origins of Shamanism, as Eliasawolf pointed out, and I agree, that Shamanism has been "hijacked" to some extent. I am not sure where to go from this point, but I also agree with you that when you are called to do something, it's better to do it than to try to avoid it. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

Dawn

[Vigdisdotter]

Books that I have been able to get my hands on are:
The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner

Not a bad book, but I was disappointed that it was so focused on south American traditions when it styled itself as "core shamanism."

Shamanism and Personal Mastery by Gini Graham Scott

I like her books, very readable in a friendly personable way. However, take it with a grain of salt. It's based on her experiences and those experiences aren't all universal, so your mileage my vary :)

Shamanism compiled by Shirley Nicholson (this one has lots of authors)
Wind Wolf Woman by Mahinto

These two I haven't heard of. Can I get you to wrote a short review of each?

I agree, that Shamanism has been "hijacked" to some extent.

Oh, there is no doubt on that one. There's a long history of the Tungus tradition and it's really worth looking into.

I'm thinking that there needs to be a new term, but everyone *I* think of sounds incredibly fluffy :P So for now, I use "shaman."

I am not sure where to go from this point

What about building your relationship with the universe? Erg! That came out fluffy didn't? ^_^;; I'm a rampant fluff hater but...meh. Words are limiting.

What I mean is that the world of the shaman is a holistic one. It's isn't compartmentalized into "mundane" and "spiritual" because both are part of the same whole. So why not work on your understanding of that holistic concept and work how it fits into your life/existence? :)

It wouldn't be an academic exercise, but a question of how you live your life and relate to the world (including people) around you.

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

You're quite welcome. Enjoy your journey :)

[darkchild]

Let's see,

Shamanism compiled by Shirley Nicholson:
This one has interviews with people like Michael Harner and lots of short writings by people like Jeanne Achterberg, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Gary Doore...the list goes on and on. Most of these people are Professors or have a degree in anthropology or religion. I still don't know enough to say whether this book would be helpful to anyone else. It just has lots of personal opinions based on studies that these people did. I love to read, so I never think it a waste of time, even if I don't agree with what it says, LOL.

Wind Wolf Woman is the story of a woman who lived with her Grandmother ( a Medicine Woman) until the age of 10, then she went to live with her Father. It's an Autobiography. This woman is an advocate of sorts for American Indians. A very interesting read, but it is anecdotal. I don't know if it is educational in the traditional sense.

When you say "build a relationship with the Universe", I think that's probably the hardest thing I have had to grasp as a concept. I was taught that there is one God and we must worship and obey him in all things. I don't agree with that now, but it really kept me from opening myself up as being part of something greater than myself. Until recently, I felt that I had been torn from a collective sentience, and now that I am reconnecting, sort of, it's almost painful. I intend to fully integrate myself back into the"Universe", but it's like I learned how a long time ago, but now I have forgotten exactly how to do it, I am kind of stumbling around in the dark. Sounds weird, I know.


Dawn

[Tranquility]

Hi there Dawn. A concept i've often read of, in regard to Shamanism, is that of the "Wounded healer." Becoming a healer often means that we have to confront the dark, neglected - and often painful - parts of the self that ordinarily we would not like to integrate. It would be much easier to compartmentalize the things we don't like about the self, and lock it away. So, the Shaman has to confront these aspects in his/herself before he can heal the same in others.

I just thought about this whole concept when you mentioned re-connecting with the universe, which is "almost painful."

Maybe (if you can find time, resources, etc.) you should go on a "vision quest" so to speak. Either that, or spend some time in the forest thinking about your whole situation, and see what arises. Good luck.

[Eleisawolf]

Nah, doesn't sound weird at all. I think that happens to a lot of people. You just need to start conceptualizing that the times when you had those comforting thoughts that everything was connected, and someone beat you down for thinking that... well, just because they have different experiences than you doesn't mean that you're wrong.

Question what you were taught. Even if you find out that some of it is right, it's very hard to really believe something unless you challenge that belief. Only then can you find it to be your true belief instead of just something you've been told.

[darkchild]

Tranquility, it's funny that you mention spending time in the forest. Several years ago, my beloved mate and I decided to move away from the congested city and live out in the "booneys". I am actually living in the forest right now (in a tent) while we build a house. I have never felt so content. I believe this is where the painful part comes in, I am forcing myself to just "be". There are no excuses or diversions to distract me from connecting to the Universe. I spend long hours outdoors during the day and night just following my inner self to wherever it leads me. Many discussions have come about (with myself) during these walks, where I question everything about myself. Talk about pain! Wow, no barriers makes for a deflated ego.


And Eliesawolf, you are so right, I am questioning EVERYTHING, that's the part that becomes confusing. Am I questioning what I was, or what I was told? I kind of feel like I am deconstructing myself and rebuilding bit by bit. I think it is worth it because what remains is real. My skin seems to fit differently. I used to hate everything about me and now, well, not so much.


Dawn

[skilly-nilly]

Ok, here goes. I have always known that I was a little different. When I was 6 yrs. old, I had a near-death experience that has been crystal clear in my memory ever since....... Regardless of that, I have always tried to revisit that place and searched for ways to do it short of death. I have also been on a lifelong quest to help people, I am a healer by nature. About a year ago, I found a book on Shamanism and was immediately drawn to the idea. I have felt unworthy of even trying to study it for myself because I was told by someone that you had to be born into it.
Thanks for any advice you may give.


I do not intend to learn from any specific tribe, I don't feel that I would be honoring their traditions by doing that. I have been studying Finnish paganism for a short time, I just came across it recently and there isn't much about it that has been translated into English. I have learned that it has "Shamanic" roots. I do feel that I have been chosen, so to speak, and I want to honor that.


Wind Wolf Woman is the story of a woman who lived with her Grandmother ( a Medicine Woman) until the age of 10, then she went to live with her Father. It's an Autobiography. This woman is an advocate of sorts for American Indians. A very interesting read, but it is anecdotal. I don't know if it is educational in the traditional sense.

When you say "build a relationship with the Universe", I think that's probably the hardest thing I have had to grasp as a concept. I was taught that there is one God and we must worship and obey him in all things. I don't agree with that now, but it really kept me from opening myself up as being part of something greater than myself. Until recently, I felt that I had been torn from a collective sentience, and now that I am reconnecting, sort of, it's almost painful. I intend to fully integrate myself back into the"Universe", but it's like I learned how a long time ago, but now I have forgotten exactly how to do it, I am kind of stumbling around in the dark. Sounds weird, I know.


Dawn


I don't use the term 'Shamanism' partly because of the historical specificity of the 'real' roots of the term and partly because of the term being what you call 'hijckked' (good dedfination). I just clicked to see what E-Wolf was saying and found that it did have something to do with my practice.

I would define what I do as 'trance work' and myself as a 'personifier' that is, I receive messages from Spirit both for myself and others.

Most cultures have something like this so,
on the 1 hand, you can use pretty much any culture you're comfortable with (or that is 'yours')
on the other hand, something that is represented in most cultures could be said to cross the line and be a part of universal human usage---something that people do to communicate with God/s/dess/desses generally.
because
on the gripping hand, if you are a 'shaman' or a 'horse' or a 'channeller' or 'trance' then it's you who are doing it. Go with what's inside your own head.

Reading books is good (and fun, I agree) but secondary, imo. Learning about a specific culture (if you are drawn to one) or learning about shamanism anthropologically or reading other Shamans' experiences can only amplify or refine what you are doing yourself---you have to be doing something yourself to make it really meaningful.

Some kind of meditation, or mind/body practice (like yogi or tai chi or dancing) is very helpful as well.

Harm None---Have Fun! :cheers: _wedgie_ :braindrai

[darkchild]

Skilly-Nilly,
Thank you for your input. I agree with you about having to make it your own, whatever "it" is. I am still looking for answers to that. I do meditate and I love my tribal bellydance. I am also working on dreamwalking because I think that the subconscious or unconscious mind is very important. I want to feel more connected to mine and I believe that it can be used as a sort of conduit for connecting to the Universal energy.

Dawn

[omar]

Who wrote Wind Wolf Woman & where can it be found? Thanks Snowy Owl.

[darkchild]

Sorry for the delay in response, Snowy Owl. I just saw the thread had a new post. Wind Wolf Woman was written by a woman who uses the name Mahinto. I found it in a used book store, so I don't know where else it can be found. I'm goin to PM you.