What is Shamanism?
The word shaman originated from a word in Siberia and came to be applied to all medicine men and women of indigenous cultures who’s practice includes the flight of the soul. Anthropologists studying indigenous cultures throughout the world began to find that, even in different cultures, there were similarities in the way the medicine men and women worked; healing and connecting to the spiritual aspects of people and the world. While there were differences specific to culture, there were also specific practices that could be found in most cultures. This is sometimes referred to as Core-Shamanism, a phrase coined by anthropologist, Michael Harner.
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Tree Light Shamanism is the practice of these intrinsic techniques, which are used either for healing, or to gain spiritual knowledge. Shamanism must be studied within its various cultures, including our contemporary ones. However, the foundations of shamanic practice do not change, nor have they changed since ancient times. It has been adapted to fit different times or cultures, but its core nature has always been the same.
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Shamanism is not a religion. Not unless you want to make it into one. It has been, and is being practiced by peoples of many religions, from Christianity, to Judaism, to Hinduism and many others. You will find shamanic practitioners of every faith.
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So then, what is shamanism?
It is a direct experience of spiritual knowledge. This experience comes via the techniques within shamanism, such as shamanic journeying. Because of the direct nature of the work, it tends to facilitate growth regardless of religious faith. People may share shamanic experiences in groups, but the insights you gain from shamanic practice are unique to you.
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Shamanism practices are usually based on the belief that everything in the world has a spirit, and has wisdom to share. This is the purpose of journeys, to communicate and find the wisdom that is within other living and non-living things. Through that experience, practitioners of shamanism begin to feel and see that they have an interconnection to the world around them.
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As a healing practice, shamanism has been very powerful for both the people of today as well as those reaching back into the beginnings of recorded history.
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The reason that it is so powerful is because each healing is tailored to the needs of the individual being healed. Western medicine seeks to find one cure that works for many, if the number it helps is too small, it isn’t offered at all. The shaman provides unique treatment, which holistically addresses what a person needs at the time.