Shamanism: Definition And Principles
Before monotheistic or polytheistic religions developed in the world, people had other beliefs such as Shamanism. This practice has become popular again in recent years due to the need of our time to reconnect with Nature and give meaning to things in the world.
What is Shamanism?
The word Shaman, derived from the word Saman pronounced [shaman], in the Tungusic language of Siberia, is said to have been used for the first time in the 17th century and would mean: the one who moves, who dances, who comes alive. It is mainly a way of seeing the world and communicating with it. A desire to get closer to animals, Nature, and the spirits that inhabit it in order to better understand them. Those who practice shamanism believe that everything, every being has a soul, energy, and consciousness. A thought quite similar to Hinduism and Buddhism on this point.
How to practice Shamanism?
The practice of Shamanism involves immersing oneself in a state of deep meditation during which one will try to reconnect with the Earth, Nature, and the spirits that surround us. It is about tapping into our unconscious, our past experiences, our often repressed intuitions in order to gain clarity on our life and its purpose. This ritual, when practiced correctly, allows the practitioner to visualize souls and experiences as animals or landscapes. This is what is called shamanic journeying.
What is shamanic journeying?
The shamanic journey, as described above, is a moment during which the practitioner opens themselves up to possibilities, visions, and things that they do not take the time to see or feel in their everyday life. The person's mind must be open in order to allow spirits to enter and for intuition and past experiences to fully express themselves. Indeed, one must be in an altered state of consciousness in order to practice this inner journey, which allows access to the residual energies of our past lives.
Who can become a shaman?
Becoming a shaman is considered to be a true test that only strong, believing, and motivated individuals can succeed in. It is interesting to note that all shamans around the world, regardless of their local communication language, can communicate with each other through their drums, their understanding of Nature, and their interactions with spirits. All shamans are connected to spirits, respect their elders and nature, and strive to help their community.
Shamanism in everyday life.
For Native American tribes, shamanism is practiced as a medicine for healing physical, internal, and emotional wounds through personal growth and inner transformation. The goal of shamanism for them is to provide inner harmony, resulting in improved physical, mental, and spiritual health and vitality. There are as many different forms of shamanism as there are regions and peoples on Earth. These practices are associated with indigenous peoples, the original populations whose traditions and knowledge were passed down orally from generation to generation. In fact, shamans are sometimes called by different names depending on the region and language: sometimes sorcerer, healer, or even seer.
How to find your Animal Totem?
In shamanic practice, everyone is connected to a Totem animal that links them to their inner resources. Each different animal represents the specific strengths and weaknesses of that person through its characteristics in the animal world. It is mentioned that the practitioner most often encounters their Totem animal during a shamanic journey. According to Native Americans, animals all have a particular wisdom to offer us, based on our needs. Each tribe had its own Totem animal representing them, which served as their spiritual guide and protector. It is customary to say that you do not choose your Totem animal, but rather it chooses you, it comes to meet you to help you on your journey. It regularly tries to get your attention, you just need to know how to open your eyes and follow your intuition. To meet your Totem animal, you can certainly undertake a shamanic journey, but you can also engage in deep meditation and let your thoughts guide you. You can also open a book on Totem animals and let yourself be carried away, open a page at random and see if the animal speaks to you, if it calls to you.
