Hi, Unknownsoul,

Different people define shamanism in different ways – and shamanism is practiced in different ways in different cultures.  The closest thing I know to a definition would be that shamanism is a set of techniques that allow a person to deliberately enter levels of consciousness where they can perceive and interact with spiritual levels of reality.

Inherent in a shamanic view of the world is a form of animism – the belief that everything that exists has a spiritual aspect or a spiritual nature.  My own way of saying that is that I don’t believe that the Creator created anything that is dead – everything that exists on a physical level is a manifestation of spirit, and most of it is good.  Of course, not everyone who practices shamanism believes in a Creator – some are pantheists, or even agnostic.  Shamanism is more a set of techniques than a set of beliefs.

Shamanism is the oldest form of spiritual practice that we know of.  It can be seen in the ancient roots of every culture and every major religion.  In traditional, tribal cultures, shamanism is interwoven with the tribe’s specific religious beliefs.  In contemporary shamanism, the techniques can be used to explore spiritual reality, or they can be focused specifically on developing and strengthening a person’s understanding of and practice of whatever religion they already believe in.  The exceptions to that, of course, would be those religions that teach that all spirits other than God are evil, and that all perception of spiritual reality is dangerous.  That has not been my experience, but if that is your religious belief then you might choose to avoid shamanism.

Bright blessings on your path,

Kay404
Volunteer moderator
Shamanism Forum

[QUOTE=Kay404;75431]You said you had heard of shamans, but I’m not sure if you’re familiar with some of the specific things they do.  (Among contemporary, non-tribal people who practice shamanism, some claim the title of “shaman,” but many call themselves shamanists or shamanic practitioners.)

In many cases, both traditional shamans and contemporary shamanists use some form of sound or music to help them shift to a level of consciousness – called shamanic spirit journey – where they can perceive and interact with spirits.  Some use a steady drumbeat, some use bells, some even use songs.

Once in shamanic spirit journey, they interact with the spirits of animals and plants, ancestors, and other spirits, to get information and healing for themselves, their friends and families, their communities, and in some cases, for the world.

Healing is a big focus, but shamans/shamanists also may help resolve conflicts between individuals, get spiritual advice for others, get information about what crops to plant and when and where to plant them, and, especially in traditional cultures, find game for the hunters and connect with the spirits of the animals to thank and honor them for their sacrifice.

Among many contemporary shamanists there is a strong focus on strengthening/healing our connections with nature, and on calling for peace and healing for the world.  In my own practice, this can range from thanking and blessing the spirits of the land, the trees, the woodland creatures, etc., when I walk in a park, to going in spirit journey to the spirits of an area where a spill had contaminated a local creek, to connecting with the spirits of the land of Iraq when I pray for peace and healing for that land and its people.

Bright blessings on your path,

Kay404[/QUOTE]


Hi i am studying wiccan traditions as well as eastern religious tranditions and bahaism as apart of   way of practicing islam...   are there different schools of thoughts according to tribes when it comes to shamanism....

i am interested in practicing as much of it that sticks with my 6 pillars of my religion.... all i know is i am part native and that this is beyond appealing but i do have to modify some parts of how its practiced in my life... only moderated ...me and my pastor-ish well you get the idea are   working on my tendency to have wuswoo or magical thinking i'm adhd... 

so hopefully the suggestion to learn but modify isn't offensive any way i'd love to learn all my friends and guardians spiritually in my life come from navajo/pueblo traditions... any way any info is good info

and i'm a little illiterate i have to read it a few times to get all the messages so i might  not see it until after you clarify

I have recently used the calling of the earth spirits shall we say to call upon them for my great hunt as well as my other half.  I prayed / had vision of what I call the grandaddy buck for where I live and I received my blessing . It was wonderful , powerful amazing experience and I have great respect for that power I only call upon it when needed the hunt helps me feed my family . I did the same for my other half we went out for the hunt again we did see just too far for him to shoot I stayed back a bit as he went to shoot and called and pulled  no rattling in no phony calls just staright asking for the blessing of the hunt . It is nice when you recieve for you care for others as well in a time of need it is a relief. I am so I know I can do! To me it is a part of shamanism and the funny is I have practiced this way for quite sometime I have never truely went by the "books" just by pure gut instinct " when I don't that is where I screw up. And I only ask for what I truely need to make it.
Sincerely Lady Huntress,
Kari

[QUOTE=Kay404;74749]Hi, Unknownsoul,

Different people define shamanism in different ways – and shamanism is practiced in different ways in different cultures.  The closest thing I know to a definition would be that shamanism is a set of techniques that allow a person to deliberately enter levels of consciousness where they can perceive and interact with spiritual levels of reality.
all of them are my present to me if i can *below* and make you comfortable to talk about them here or ?F

Food Issues & Body Image

12-Step Spirituality

Eastern Practices
Acupuncture, Ayurvedic Medicine, Chi / Ki / Qi, Feng Shui, Korean Hand Therapy, Martial Arts, Meditation, Pranic Healing, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Tai Chi, Vasstu, Wabi Sabi, Yoga

Family & Parenting

Pets

Inherent in a shamanic view of the world is a form of animism – the belief that everything that exists has a spiritual aspect or a spiritual nature.  My own way of saying that is that I don’t believe that the

no bigggie at all i am not in a missionary ministry in islam... in fact i have words over me to take it easy and encourage peace and submission.....*peacefully...sh*t up and listen....*  just kidding --but hey thats why its a word.... but i have to act on it my imam is showing me what is muslim ok and not ok but THat is for me :)  {\/}<-heart
luvs... to worry about ...so no worries promise

what i have chosen is to avoid alchemie like things....concoctions and how they might apply to 12 step...but since i have submission on me i cant to the ne**ro one since i am the one in submission not authority... imam talks i listen...Judgement? i'm the servant thats not my place./... here are suggestions (and the adhd thing comes up because...of it) 

for how you honor so i can look it up and save for it...  elf fairy  unicorn morning star talisman... and the other one >;)
ones are imps and grimalkin and spiritual -i think?studying taoism and buddhism in this practice-- ? dragons
Shamanism is more a set of techniques than a set of beliefs.

Shamanism is the oldest form of spiritual practice that we know of.  It can be seen in the ancient roots of every culture and every major religion.  In traditional, tribal cultures, shamanism is interwoven with the tribe’s specific religious beliefs.  In contemporary shamanism, the techniques can be used to explore spiritual reality, or they can be focused specifically on developing and strengthening a person’s understanding of and practice of whatever religion they already believe in.  The exceptions to that, of course, would be those religions that teach that all spirits other than God are evil, and that all perception of spiritual reality is dangerous.  That has not been my experience, but if that is your religious belief then you might choose to avoid shamanism.

Bright blessings on your path,
and on yours and though i  am a flibberdegept     THIS IS important to me
Kay404
Volunteer moderator
Shamanism Forum[/QUOTE]

um... *wink* i have to enter 10 more?! ;) letters lets see

Nuitprincess,

I’m not sure I understand what you were trying to say in your most recent post.  Can you give it another try?  Remember that I don’t know the context of some of what you’re saying, so you need to explain your questions or comments in more detail than you would for someone who knows you better.

Also, In the quote section of your most recent post, it would be hard for anyone else to know what parts I wrote and what parts you wrote.  Whenever you quote someone else’s post, please remember to make it clear where their words end and yours begin.

Shamanism can be very helpful for people in 12-step programs, if that’s one of the things you were asking about.  In core shamanism we don’t use any drugs to journey.  We use a steady drumbeat or other form of sound to help us shift to a shamanic level of consciousness. 

Learning to meditate can also be helpful.  Meditation is a slightly different state of consciousness, but can sometimes lead into shamanic journey state.  Also, meditation helps us learn to quiet the mind and focus it, which is very helpful in shamanic journey.

If you were asking about pets, I can tell you that shamanism can be a wonderful help in connecting with our pets.

You know, this forum is actually designed for people who are arguing about basic aspects of shamanism, or about how it should be practiced, or by whom.  If you’re interested in learning about shamanism, and perhaps learning how to practice shamanic spirit journey, you might want to come to the shamanism forum in the “Faith Communities” section.   You can find us at:

http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/f … .php?f=197

Bright blessings,

Kay404
Shamanism forum host