by Susan Keiraleyn, Ph.D.
The spiritual healing methods of shamanism are now receiving ncreased and significant attention in our culture as a result of the widespread search by many for effective, and non-invasive assistance and personal growth. Because shamanic healing affects the energy field of a person, it may be appropriate in a wide variety of circumstances and can be used for problems throughout the lifespan - even durng and after death.
To better understand how the shamn heals it is important to understand some of the fundamental concepts of what shamanism is. Some people mistakenly believe that shamanism is a religion. In fact, however, it is not a religion but a specific set of methodologies for there, which in turm create changes in seen/physical/everyday reality.
The essential perspective of the practicing shaman is this.
1. 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 system.
3. Everything that exists is connected to everything else in a web of energy of life.
4. Unseen/inner/spiritual reality affects visible reality.
Working within this system of perceptions the shaman strives to create balance or harmony or free flow of energy or spirit. This work typically focuses on the individual human, but traditionally also often was applied to social groups such as an enitre tribe. The same kind of healing energy work can be applied to anything that exists - animals, plants. geographical locations - even to ideas.
What distinguishes a shaman from other types of healers are his/her methods. The central technique used by the shaman is what has been called "soul flight" or journeying." To journey, the shaman enters a particular kind of of trance state called the "shamanic state of consciousness" or SSC. Entry into the SSC can be accomplished in a variety of ways; drumming is one widely used induction method.
While in the SSc, the shaman sends out part of his/her consciousness/spirit/energy to obtain information or do work in the realm of spirit or energy. The information obtained by the shaman's jouneying consciousness may come from a variety of sources, including communication with nonhuman beings and the shaman's own visions or "second sight". The information is retrieved and used for insight and healing.
The work the shaman may do while in the SSC has to do with directly affecting the presence or flow of energy in one or more energy systems. For example, a shaman might help a person heal a broken bone by opening up increased energy flow to the affected area; a shaman might help a person heal from emotional depression by restoring emotional energy lost as a result of a traumatic event.
In summary, the pratice of shamanism involves making conscious connection with that which is spirit or life - that which is sacred - in all things. Healing can be accomplished through this connection by working directly to create greater balance and harmony of energy or spirit, and by bringing back to the "ordinary" world transformation awareness from sacred space and time.
Once the shaman gains an understanding of the spiritual cause of a given problem, she/he may use a variety of healing modalities to resolve it. Although there are a number of specific techniques employed, they generally fall into three broad categories.
1. Taking things out of the enrgy field that don't belong there.
2. Restoring lost energy or power to the field.
3. Altering the balance or flow of energy within the field.
In all these methods, the shaman is a mediator between physical and non-physical reality, between the seen and the unseen.
'Animal Wise'
All shamans hold two things in common. First, they have an awareness of the power of myth. Second, they do strong work in animal interpretation, recognising the behind the animal images of tales andlife and that animal myths can be used as a bridge between the realm of sleep and the world of awake, between the realm of nature and the workd of humans. In more acient societies, shamans were the keepers of sacred knowledge of animals and nature and were linked to the rhythms and forces of nature. They were held in high esteem and recognised as true shapeshifters who were able to walk the worlds.
Shamanism is an experimental growth process and involves becoming the master of your own intitation. In shamanism, the individual ultimately answers to no human or totem and is alone with the supernatural. Yes, he or she maintains a true sense of belonging and connectedness to all life, but the individual is able to visit the heavens and the underworld. The individual is able to leatn from all life forms.
A person usually becomes a shaman by one of three methods:
~ by inheriting the profession
~ by a special calling, or
~ by a personal quest.
Becoming the shaman practitioner develops a strong sense of not truely belonging to reality. We are often taught that we should belong to something. Many people spend their their whole lives at attempting to belong and most of the time it leads to disappointment. The animal-wise shaman must develop an individuality that is strong and by working through animals, we then can learn that we are able to be alone without being lonely.
In the world around us, there are myriads of wonders, but unfortunately we often get so wrapped up in our day life that we forget about them or don't even recognise them. It is through the animal kingdom, through the multitude of wonders found in nature, that we can experience renewal. Every sojourn into Nature offers an epiphany for the heart and soul. And if only for a little while, let us open or heart to it and see what glories unfold.
