In my experince shamanism is real and very personal.  One not much talk about aspect is the question of personal guidence...or where to put my feet/what direction to walk in.   For example I've been in Utah for a number of years.  A few months ago a florida panther began visiting me.  She let me know that a big change was coming and I understood that I was to move back to florida.  There have been a number of problems and difficulties that have arisen in accomplishing this but at each juncture she was there and the issue was resolved. 

Many years ago I learned that I could invite my friends from NOR to be at my side in OR.  Doing this has made shamanism more real, more concrete, and more accessable.  It has also provided me with more directcomfort, direction and knowledge that is invaluable as I come to crossroads and must direct my foolish feet hither or yon.  Dennis

LOL!  Hi!  Mine are... but were not many years ago.

OLDER!  I'm only 67!  LOL!  Dennis

I'm wondering how some one simply calls Kowi Ishto (Panther) as if this Spirit is under that ones subjection, or Panther finds them special enough to visit with them and guild them. I am Panther Clan or Achufa Kowi Ishto, Lion Clan of the Chickasaw People, many names have been affiliated with the Great Cat Clan, Wild Cat, Panther, Mountain Lion and simply Lion. The latter being the title of Elders, as the word Kowi Ishto means -Great Cat, or the greatest feline predator one can think of. My People lived many generations in subjection to the Spirit and attributes of the Great Cat, living half in the day and half in the night, hunting and gathering at night, going into battle at night. We even sharpened the teeth of the males tattooed the eyes and flattened the forehead's of young males by tying rocks to the skull while still in infancy, to make us appear as the Panther. In short we lived our lives as Panthers, to gain the strength of and live in unison with the Panther Spirit, and then we have People who simply say--Yeah Man like the Panther came and like told me this stuff dude. What are we to make of this as a People devoting our existence to the power of the Panther, and gaining Great Warrior status as a Warrior community within a Warrior community by our actions suppose to say about something like that? Not trying to offend any one, this is a legitimate question that need not be answered here in this forum, but I believe this question must be asked in the hearts of those claiming such things. What have I done to earn this rite? How have I proven my self worthy of the Great Cat? Great Spirit remind me to walk the path I claim, before I claim it.

I'm like you, Dennis, in that I don't have any direct cultural teachings or heritage to specifically help me or guide me in a path. My blessing has been having a mentor that is part of a Native American culture. That blessing has added a depth and richness to my walk.

Please understand that I'm only talking about my experience and I am in no way suggesting that you should do like me, or that your experience is lacking anything.

In my own defining and decernment, I've found wisdom and joy in the Sufi traditions. I've often accessed NOR via the Sufi thought that creativity creates a pipeline to the divine.

The honoring of life in all its rich forms has become part of my OR existance... I guess that's rather Buddhist.

My point is that my walk is highly blended and yet honoring the traditions from which my path is influenced and even defined.

Respects

Karl