|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:13 pm
NOTE: This class/discussion is no longer taught/led by a teacher. However, please feel free to read through it and ask any questions that you may have or express any thoughts/opinions you have. Just please don't ask, "Can I join the class?" Because the answer is 'no'. Thank you.
First of all, let me say right now that i am no shaman, i haven't been connected with anyone who was a shaman, and honestly don't think i could handle the responsibility that comes with being a shaman (at least not right now!). This is why i didn't make this a class, just a guide. ((if you wish to know more or have questions feel free to ask me :3))
Why i made this: I did a lot of research on the world of Shamanism and i really fell into it naturally. I do feel that it's important to me in some way but at this point and time i shall remain a student.
A quick note:
What Shamanism ISN'T: a religion. It is -not- a religion, it is a way of life. I know that many people have said that about their religions to make a point, but seriously... This isn't a religion, not a branch, not anything to do with religion. It has no god(s), it has no "followers". It is the practice of dealing with spirits in the spirit world, and spirits within the person. They deal in spirits, and believe that everything has a spirit.
----
What IS a shaman?
Shamans have been around for ages, in every culture around the world. They were village's healers, doctors, herbalists, and dealt with the spirits of those passed on. They were responsible for the health of the individual and the community. A lot of their time was spent in the spirit world, talking to plants to get information on how they could be used to help the human body, or how they should be cooked.
The essential perspective of the shaman is:
1. Everything is alive. Everything has spirit and awareness.
2. Energy and matter are the same. Everything is vibration. Everything that exists is an energy system within a greater energy system.
3. Everything that exists is connected to everything else in a web of energy or life.
4. Unseen/inner/spiritual reality affects visible reality.
Plant and gem spirit medicine
The exercise that was used in the beginning of the class is to use to do this. The shaman words directly with the spirit of the plant or mineral to assist in healing. The healer must ask the spirit if they fan be used to heal certain illnesses with certain people. The shaman must be willing to personalize and individualize treatments. Both the healer and the patient must be willing to work in a spirit of humility and gratitude, acknowledging dependence and partnership with non-human elements. Healing through Ancestral Memories: This includes ancestral spirits and reincarnated memories. There are spirits who have gone on before who have evolved to the point that they no longer need to be incarnated. These ancestral spirits have a vast source of knowledge and power. They are what keep the shaman connected to his/her roots. Reincarnated memories also can assist the shaman as do present body memories. If you have done something before that was successful, you will attempt to repeat it the same way, or if you have done something wrong you, hopefully, will not repeat the performance.
Soul Retrieval
One of the primary service performed by the shaman is soul retrieval. The search to recover and restore a person's vital essence that was stolen or lost, from the Shamanic point of view, physical and emotional illness, as well as misfortune, are due to the loss of personal power or life force, the diminution of spirit that keeps us strong and alive. Soul retrievals are intended to retrieve the soul parts that were lost. Each piece has its own characteristic that once reintegrated enhance our own capacities in that area.
Bring back this lost part is not a quick fix; the shaman then needs to work with the person to help them restore their balance. Putting the soul back is only the first step in restoring one's self. For instance, if a soul piece were stolen from us as a child that has the quality of love, we may grow up with a closed heart, making it difficult to show or give love. With the return of the missing quality our heart is healed and we now are able to begin to learn how to love. This is not easy; learning to change ways of a life time, but with patience and understanding the shaman can help others to learn how to change.
Extractions
Since the Shamanic theory of health and illness focuses on personal power, illness results when a person's spiritual power is diminished someway or when a person loses spiritual power or soul. The illness moves into the gap in the person's life force, bringing patterns of energy that are harmful for the individual. Extraction is the healing method in which a shaman locates a harmful spiritual intrusion in a sick person's body and removes it.
An intrusion is something like an infection, which affects the spirit. Extractions can be done with the hand or mouth, sometimes with a power object, such as a gemstone. For most shamanic healers, the extraction process usually involves going into the Shamanic State of Consciousness and summoning one's spirit guide and building up personal power in order to confront the intrusion. The shaman fins the location of the intrusion in the body by seeing, hearing, and/or feeling it. The actual extraction can involve sucking directly on the skin, through the clothing, or with hands cupped over the appropriate area. When the intrusion is removed, it is put in a neutral place, such as a body of water where it will dissipate back into the universe.
Soul Escorting
Shaman's help souls cross over to the other side because they know the terrain of the spirit world and may have even journeyed through the realms where the dead pass. They also know how to find lost souls and bring them back or escort them to their places.
In summary, the practices of shamanism involves making conscious connection with that which is spirit or life that which is sacred — all things. Healing can be accomplished through this connection by working directly to create grater balance and harmony of energy and spirit, and bringing back to the ordinary world awareness from the spirit world. To do healing works of any kind a shaman will typically journey to the spiritual cause of problems. A particular problem of everyday life might have very different spiritual causes. In other words, illness that looks exactly the same symptomatically in two different people might be the manifestation of different underlying situations. In one person, depression and fatigue can be caused from a spiritual injury to the heart; while the same symptoms might be caused from excessive worry in another. And once the shaman gains understanding of the illness, he/she has a variety of ways of healing it.
-----
Becoming a Shaman
One becomes a Shaman generally by heredity or selection, and through rigorous and sometimes difficult (even dangerous) training and initiation. Beware of dubious claims of anyone offering high priced 'workshops' in idealized Native Shamanism- most shamanic traditions are practiced in secrecy and are not available to outsiders or curiosity seekers. It is highly unlikely that a true initiate will go on the workshop circuit, and many tribal leaders consider these events to be exploitative and offensive.
Actually i read somewhere where it was almost offensive to offer payment for Shamanic services, and shouldn't be done because it is really their calling, duty, whatever you wish to call it - to be helping people. So anyone saying "Ooh I'll heal you with my Shaman-ways!... for $24.95..." you should run from those people, after spitting at them. x.x
Also: don't ever think there is a Shamanic course on the internet. If you're lucky enough to be able to get into a 'course' of some sort, they always want to meet you in person. It's very selective.
Journeys:
Shamanic Journeys are something that anyone can really do if they are avid about it. But please don't think that these journeys will make you a Shaman, and don't think that you can just tamper with whatever you want. It's like with anything dealing in spirits: Very very risky if you don't know what you're doing (or even if you KNOW what you're doing!). Certain things are not to be played with, and you should know the difference. If not, i urge you to study before thinking about going on a Shamanic Journey, or anything dealing with spirits!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:14 pm
Seven Shamanic Principles
1.
The World is What You Think It Is
Positive thoughts attract positive people and events, and negative thoughts attract negative people and events.
Corollary: Everything is a dream
Dreams are real and reality is a dream. The only test we use for a reality check is whether or not someone else experiences it. Hallucination means "your dream doesn’t match my dream." "Reality" to a shaman is a mass hallucination, or a shared dream. If this life is a dream and if we can wake up fully within it, then we can change the dream by changing our dreaming.
Corollary: All systems are arbitrary
All meanings are made up and the Absolute Truth is whatever you decide it is. What matters is how well the system works for you, not how true it is (which is an arbitrary concept).
2.
There are No Limits
We experience two kinds of limitations: creative and filtered. Creative limitation assumes the purposeful establishment of limits within an infinite universe in order to create particular experiences, made by God or our own Higher Selves. These enable us to experience life as humans on Earth (to play by that particular set of rules - breaking the rules changes to another game).
Filtered limitations are imposed by ideas and beliefs that inhibit creativity rather than enhance it, like beliefs that engender hopelessness, helplessness, revenge and cruelty. They generate focus without the potential for positive action.
Corollary: Everything is connected
The usual metaphor is a web of interdependence.
Corollary: Anything is possible
All you have to do is believe. However, because you are not alone in the Universe, the degree to which something can be shared depends on the beliefs of others around you.
Corollary: Separation is a useful illusion
Pure empathy makes you as helpless as the one suffering. Fear make you lose sight of your role as dreamweaver.
3.
Energy Flows Where Attention Goes
Meditation and hypnosis are simply different techniques for doing the same thing - refocusing your attention toward more positive beliefs and expectations. As states, both are identical conditions of sustained focused attention.
Those aspects of your present experience which seem enduring are the effect of habitual sustained focused attention carried on by your subconscious.
Corollary: Attention goes where energy flows
Attention is attracted to all kinds of high energy intensity.
Corollary: Everything is energy
Thought is energy and one kind of energy can be converted into another kind of energy.
4.
Now is the Moment of Power
Karma exists and operates only in the present moment. It is your beliefs, decisions, and actions today about yourself and the world around you that give you what you have and make you what you are.
Thanks to memory we may carry over habits of body and mind from day to day, but each day is a new creation and any habit can be changed at any present moment - even if it isn’t easy.
You select out of the immense resources of your gene pool those characteristics that best reflect your present beliefs and intentions. Your parents/social background have nothing to do with your present, but what you believe about them now and how you react to those beliefs does.
Corollary: Everything is relative
You define "now" based on your focus (second, hour, year, lifetime).
Corollary: Power increases with sensory attention
Many people living today aren’t even here - most of their attention is focused on the past or the future. To the degree they diminish their awareness of the present moment, their power and effectiveness in the present also decreases.
5.
To Love is to Be Happy With
Love exists to the degree that you are happy with the object of your love. The unhappy part comes from fear, anger and doubt. To be deeply in love means to be deeply connected, and the depth and clarity of the connection increases as fear, anger and doubt are removed.
Corollary: Love increases as judgment decreases
Criticism kills relationships; praise builds and rebuilds them. When you give praise you reinforce the good and it grows. When you criticize you reinforce the bad and it grows.
Corollary: Everything is alive, aware and responsive
You subconscious takes any praise or criticisms it hears to heart, even if it’s directed elsewhere, even if you’re saying it. Each criticism separates you from and decreases your awareness of what you criticize, until you end up responding to a secondary creation of your own that may no longer resemble the original. When someone criticizes you, praise yourself to counteract it.
6.
All Power Comes From Within
For every event that you experience you creatively attract it through your beliefs, desires, fears and expectations, and then react to it habitually or respond to it consciously. This does not mean that you are to blame for your abuse or injury, because you were probably not conscious of your negative beliefs, attitudes and expectations. It also does not mean the other person is innocent.
Corollary: Everything has power
You do not have ALL the power in the world - everyone has the same power. The good news - you can work with these powers.
Corollary: Power comes from authority
Confident authority is the key to conscious creation.
7.
Effectiveness is the Measure of Truth
The means determine the end, not the ends justify the means. What is really important is what works.
Corollary: There is always another way to do anything
Every problem has more than one solution. If the goal is important, you should never give up, just change your approach.
Basic Format for a Ritual
1. Preparation
Get all your props and clothing together, arrange furnishings, set up music, plan the steps, and designate the special area.
2. Opening
A dramatic gesture, words of prayer or greeting, a musical attention getter, or a get-acquainted process.
3. Content
Doing whatever is involved with the purpose of the ritual. Generally, the shorter the content, the more formal it is (wedding vs. Olympic Games).
4. Closing
This is where you get everyone’s attention back and make a definite end to the ritual. Often overlooked.
What Determines Effective Ritual
1. It must have a strong beginning and ending. Start by doing something to get everyone’s attention. At the end, get everyone’s attention again and clearly end the ritual.
2. It must have strong sensory input. The more senses the better -- vision, hearing, scent are common - try adding taste and touch.
3. It must have a familiar or predictable form. Include familiar sensory elements and patterns in every ritual, even though every ritual on every occasion might be different.
4. The meaning of every part of the ritual must be understood. To whatever degree a part of the ritual is not understood, its effectiveness is lost. Explain before or during the ritual.
5. It must be special. Make ritual times into occasions of positive reinforcement of your groups shared values.
What Makes a Ritual Special
1. A special area
An area can be made special in several ways. One is consecration - doing a ritual blessing. The easiest way to make a place special for ritual is by encircling it with people, especially by having them hold hands.
2. Special objects
Clothing, jewelry, decor, tools, food.
3. Special movements
Gestures, postures, dances.
4. Special sounds
Intonation, chanting, singing, music, percussion, prayers and blessings, special words.
-------------------
Above are the "Seven Shamanic Principles" which i got off of a website, which i will post later on. Along with some Ritual tips. I find the 7 principles to be inspiring even if you don't want to walk the path.
More stuff:
Ten Native American Commandments
1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
2. Remain close the Great Spirit.
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings.
4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
6. Do what you know to be right.
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body.
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
9. Be truthful and honest at all times.
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.
I got these from the same site, i really like them a lot! They hold great principles for people to live by.
----------------
When you go on a Shamanic Journey you need lots of patience and lots of grounding, so to speak. I, myself, really haven't gotten to do much in the way of a journey. But what i did do was just awesome.
One meditation-type thing involved astral projection, which is what all of this centers around. I started by lying down, putting my headphones on and listening to drumming music i have, which is just...mmm... - Anyway! I envisioned myself getting up and walking out the front door... then i climbed up a ladder (of course your ascension does NOT have to be a ladder, it can be stairs, a vine, an elevator, escalator, anything! You can even have your spirit guide take you! But if you do not have one that is okay, too.) and got onto some clouds. After that i was joined by a crow (or raven, i can't recall at the moment! x.x ) and was woken up by something in the physical realm... so i had to descend the ladder and came back really quickly....
Your journey may hold longer bouts of walking, meeting people or things, going in doors or to other places... Wherever it takes you. Just know that whatever you see could hold some importance so remember to write it down sweatdrop
NOTE: please know that drums, hallucinogens, or anything else is NOT require for the trances that you undergo for these journeys!! People just choose to use them. I prefer drums that is why i chose them. You can have anything or even nothing to get you into that trance. Just be sure that if you are laying down that if you choose music, make sure it won't put you to sleep XD
Another awesome experience that i think everyone should go through is a drum circle... Drum circles are the most positive, most ... exhilarating thing that i have ever felt in my life. When i went to my first ever drum circle (not too long ago!) i pretty much had a drum the entire time (they had other instruments there, too.) and the drum took me over. I didn't space out, really, i just wasn't controlling myself anymore. My dry skin was actually acting up bad that day and i started bleeding XD but i didn't realize it until we were done. (I'm okay though x3) But the drumming, the vibration of the entire circle was just so uplifting, my friend and i were hyper with the energy that we had inside of ourselves. It was like a big cleansing thing. x.x (love my technical terms XD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:15 pm
Links and such 83
These are some helpful links to get you started <3
http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article02.html
http://www.realmagick.com/articles/18/118.html
http://deoxy.org/shaman.htm
http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article01page2.html
http://www.sacred-texts.com/sha/sis/index.htm (history!)
http://www.dream-catchers.org/dream-catchers-faq.php (nothing to do with Shamanism really, but i think it's neat :3 )
a love of these have links within themselves, so you can really explore until your heart's content! I really hope my guide informed a few of you and helped someone who might've been curious! *bows* Thank you for reading my guide!
heart
~Ed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
