Facts About Shamanism - by Clinton Jarbeau
There are some facts about shamanism that are commonly mistaken or misread, of which the first is that shamanism
is a religion. Not true, despite the eagerness of academics to over-classify. In the general case shamanism is a set
of spiritual practices that may resemble religious practices since a religious practice was once a spiritual practice.
The ritual first given at the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples is an example of such a practice, originally
intended as a magical act for a group but co-opted later for a larger purpose masquerading as a magical act performed
for the common good. So the question is, ‘Is communion a spiritual practice?’ And the final answer is, mostly not.
Another frequently asked question about the study of shamanism is whether a shaman is actually a magician of some
sort.
And the answer is, in the sense that a shaman can do only those things every person properly instructed can do to
lesser or greater extent, the answer is no. Consider that it may not be an accident that imagination, image, magic and
magi all have a morpheme mag that suggests the capacity to visualize. Where might that lead us?
Why, perhaps right into the New Age, where certain messiahs offer the opportunity to use your mind-power to create
your own reality, and that reality would certainly include a lot of money.
The stories and names of these New Age messiahs are very familiar.
‘I was broke, my wife left, I was on the verge of losing my car and being tossed out of my apartment. I didn’t know
what to do. So I prayed, and what came was the idea that I could teach people how not to be poor and the poor who
hated that condition enough to pay to get out of it sent me enough money to solve my problem. Soon, things got to
where I would never have to worry again. Within two months, I had a better apartment, a nicer car and a more sensible
loving wife. So if you apply the secrets of the magical process XJ-47/ and get rid of the tapes that keep saying you’re a
schmutz, you too can go partners with God. Then we’ll all be rich together.’
Of course, you could rent Dumbo until you learned to believe in yourself, and all might be well too, but if they’ve already
taken the TV and the DVD, maybe you’re out of time, not to mention luck.
So what, exactly, but in a general way is shamanism? And who is a shaman?
To repeat: Shamanism is a loosely categorized set of spiritual practices that serve as strategic responses to the problems
of a particular culture. Practices differ, culture to culture, but if there is an underlying belief of any sort, it is that an unseen
reality exists side by side with an ordinary, existing reality, the one that everyone sees. In the Gospel of Thomas, known
as ‘the doubting’, Jesus remarks that ‘the Kingdom of God is spread upon earth and men do not see it.’
The person seeing this unseen reality is a Shaman. And what does a Shaman do?
The Shaman’s place is between the worlds, serving as advisor, death counselor, healer, oracle and warrior priest. The
present day shaman helps the community by serving as a magician for his people, healing past life trauma carried forward
by the unconscious mind, or working to increase abundance in business by advising about forces which could affect the
hunt in positive or negative ways. The shaman heals the sick by asking for the assistance of power spirits, or by dreaming
a sick person well. The Shaman is a magician for his people.
How does one become a Shaman?
Loosely speaking, a shaman is one who follows shamanic practices, but in most cultures, it is your constituents that will
identify you. You don’t say you’re a shaman until someone else does. And not just one person, but a whole tribe says
so.
Q: What is Shamanism?
A: Shamanism is a loosely categorized set of practices, not a religion.
The purpose of any shamanic practice is to bring the individual whoever that might be closer to his personal source, which
is the same source for all of us. This source can be called God. Shamanic practices vary from culture to culture, and are
strategic responses to the problems of a particular culture. Shamanism recognizes an unseen reality existing side by side
with ordinary reality.
In the gospel of Thomas, known as 'the doubting', Issa Ibn Maryam, a great shaman who became the Christ remarks
"The Kingdom of God is spread upon earth and men do not see it.”
Great Shaman have existed in every culture. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, St.Germain, Joan of Arc, Merlin, The Lady of the
Lake, Morgana le Fay, Tyros of Appalonia, Confuscius, Buddha, Rumi, Gurdjieff, Fools Crow, Sitting Bull, Geronimo
and untold others unknown to us have been shamans before us. These people show that it is possible to touch this reality
and the world of beyond at the same time.
Q: What is a Shaman?
A: Loosely speaking, any person male or female is a shaman who follows systematic routines with the purpose of getting
closer to his individual God. In the best expression, however, a Shaman is a warrior priest who devotes his (or her) life to
the development of the shamanic arts first within themselves.
Q: What does a Shaman do?
A: The Shaman's place is between the worlds, serving as life advisor, death counsellor, healer, oracle and mover of the
worlds. In this culture, Shaman work to help their communities in several ways. They are healing past life trauma , which
has been carried forward to present days. They work to increase abundance in business by advising about forces, which
operate for and against the affairs of humans. The skillful shaman heals the sick by asking for the assistance of the sick
person's spirit, and by moving his energies into the energy body of the sick person and dreaming them well. The Shaman
is a magician for his people.
Q: How does one become a Shaman?
A: In every culture there are different requirements. A common experience is a vision of power, which is sometimes a
Near Death Experience. The realization and actualization of that power dream is the process by which Shamans are made.
Every culture where shamanic practices are found also recognizes the return from death as a primary credential for further
instruction in the arts, from both planetary and spiritual advisors. There is no complete school for shamans, but there are
teachers. The first step has never been delineated better than the advice of Issa, Ibn Maryam.
"Ask, and ye shall recieve. Knock, and it shall be opened, for to him that asks it shall be given, and to him that knocks, it
shall be opened."
Idries Shah, in his incomparable way, cautions us about teachers in a short tale about the man who found a stall in the
market where honey which was billed as 'the most marvellous, irreplaceable and delicious honey in the world' was for sale.
"If it is so wonderful," the dervish inquired, "why are you sellling it?"
"I would not try, you may be sure," the honey-seller replied, "if a mouse had not fallen into it."
Searching for a teacher can be like that.