explaining Shamanism...
Perhaps like me Shamanism is filed away in your mind as being some mysterious idea or religion that feels hidden, perhaps secret and long forgotten. I have come to know Shamanism as a way of life that invites us to live in harmony with ourselves, the earth, and all beings either of this world or another. A Shaman is a healer who has learned to use unstructured and non-ordinary reality to facilitate healing. This ancient healing practice opens to the possibility that there is magic within our human existence; that nature and the invisible world are inseparable. The practice is not limited by what we may or may not know with our thinking/logical mind but rather asks us to let go of what we "know" and open beyond our human experience to embrace our wholeness.
The ancient healing practices of Shamanism are based on the premise of gently moving our soul from darkness back into the light - reintegrated and whole, in a state of balance and wellness. Shamanism is not something we do, it is who we are when we are whole. A Shamanic practitioner simply acts as a guide into this deeper remembering of our existence.
Oftentimes this is done through practices such as shamanic journey, extraction, soul retrieval, divination, ritual, and dance.
We begin a sacred ceremony by creating a sacred space, the lighting of a fire, or candle, burning of sacred herbs such a s sage, to clear negative energy and to call in the positive. To complete our sacred circle we call in our Spirit guides/helpers, the elements of earth, water, fire & air, and the energies of the four directions - east, south, west, and north. All this is done with the intention of assisting all beings on their journey to wholeness and balance as they walk upon this earth. Honoring the sacred gives us access into the rhythms and forces of nature. Here we can communicate and invoke the energies of both the seen and unseen worlds. This communication may show up in the shape of form, word, feeling/sensation, thought... it all depends on the individual.
Within sacred space you are invited to call in a guide, this may be an animal, for instance, a fox or a wolf will guide you into the unknown. You may also be guided by light or a spirit being. Our journey may take us to an aspect of the physical world where we learn from nature, communicating with the sun, moon and with the spirits that live in all things present in this physical reality.
You may enter the knot of a tree to be taken down through the roots and discover a playground that resides deep within the womb of our Mother. Perhaps a landscape of mountains, streams and forests, a fire burning deep within our core where we dance, cleanse and are released from ties that no longer serve us.
We may experience seeing through the eye of an Eagle to discover a more ethereal plane of existence. A Spirit-Talking-Place you might say, where we enter into a crystal city or find supreme rest upon a cloud. A dreaming place where we feel a sense of being whole, of profound love and of knowing and wonderment where the creator can move through us.
We are given this information and understanding for the purpose of healing parts of ourselves that have been lost or injured due to trauma caused by illness, loss, abuse, neglect, etc.
Rhythmic drumming sometimes combined with singing or playing instruments like rattles or flutes are often used. The drum is the heartbeat of our Mother Earth, she raises our frequency with sound creating a portal or vortex which opens us to the energies of Peace, Harmony, Love, Compassion and Unity. The drum that is typically used during Shamanic ceremonies will have an ethically sourced deer, elk or other rawhide membrane mounted on a wooden frame. The drum is usually beaten with a padded drum stick or the practitioner's hand. According to some EEG (electroencephalograph) research, certain patterns of drumming cause an increase in power of alpha (deep relaxation and meditation) and theta (deep meditation, light sleep and dreaming) frequencies of the listener. These states of mind, normally only experienced momentarily, are where your mind's most deep-seated programs live and are fertile ground for programming your mind toward more positive action. They can also provide a sense of deep spiritual connection and oneness with the Universe as well as visualizations, inspiration, creativity and insight.
Drumming is not all that a Shamanic practitioner may use. They may also provide healing through leading a ceremony, preserving traditions with storytelling and songs, fortune-telling thru rocks, shells, feathers, etc. and acting as a "guide of souls". A shamanic ceremony is a complex and powerful phenomenon, rich in meaning. It may include dancing, art, music and chanting. Recipient's may be affected differently based on their cultural background and life experience
It is important to be clear that participants are encouraged to show up with a clean pallet. In other words, not to drink alcohol or use drugs the day of the session and the day before as well as not to come on an empty stomach and or after a big meal.
During a Shamanic healing session you may be surprised by what you experience. Some experience altered states of consciousness while others experience "nothing" or a sense of disconnect. You may find that you feel energized or relaxed after a session or it may stir emotions that were buried deep inside. In any case you can choose to stay open minded no matter what the experience.
Why open to this experience? Perhaps you are feeling a bit lost, as if some part of you is missing or even feel something inside of you that just doesn't feel like it belongs. You may be struggling with physical ailments, chronic pain or emotional imbalance. No matter what you are experiencing it is real for you. It isn't necessary for you to know where it comes from, it could be some long forgotten injury or trauma and it's ok to just be curious, even a bit skeptical. Consciously or unconsciously, I believe that we all have a deep burning desire to be whole. Oftentimes wholeness requires stepping out of our comfort zone to allow that shift to happen. We have the capacity to open new doorways and expand your life experience.
Brain Waves
Beta brain waves - Your normal waking consciousness and a heightened state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. The majority of adults primarily operate at Beta during their waking hours and so it is no wonder that stress is today's most common health problem. The voice of Beta is the little nagging chatterbox of your inner critic, which becomes louder and more relentless the higher you go in this range.
Alpha brain waves - found in deep relaxation, light meditation and day-dreaming. This state is fertile ground for programming your mind toward more positive action.
Theta brain waves - found in deep meditation and light sleep and the realm of your subconscious mind. This state is normally only experienced momentarily as you drift off to sleep and arise from deep sleep. A sense of deep spiritual connection and oneness with the Universe as well as visualizations, inspiration, creativity and insight can be experienced at Theta. This is where your mind's most deep-seated programs live. The voice of Theta is silence.
Delta frequency - the slowest is found in dreamless sleep and in very deep, transcendental meditation where awareness is completely detached. Delta is the realm of your unconscious mind that is the gateway to the Universal mind and the collective unconscious. The information received here is otherwise unavailable at the conscious level. Delta is associated with deep healing and regeneration, underlining the importance of deep sleep to the healing process.
Interested in a Soul Healing?
Please reach out to book a session - [email protected].
The ancient healing practices of Shamanism are based on the premise of gently moving our soul from darkness back into the light - reintegrated and whole, in a state of balance and wellness. Shamanism is not something we do, it is who we are when we are whole. A Shamanic practitioner simply acts as a guide into this deeper remembering of our existence.
Oftentimes this is done through practices such as shamanic journey, extraction, soul retrieval, divination, ritual, and dance.
We begin a sacred ceremony by creating a sacred space, the lighting of a fire, or candle, burning of sacred herbs such a s sage, to clear negative energy and to call in the positive. To complete our sacred circle we call in our Spirit guides/helpers, the elements of earth, water, fire & air, and the energies of the four directions - east, south, west, and north. All this is done with the intention of assisting all beings on their journey to wholeness and balance as they walk upon this earth. Honoring the sacred gives us access into the rhythms and forces of nature. Here we can communicate and invoke the energies of both the seen and unseen worlds. This communication may show up in the shape of form, word, feeling/sensation, thought... it all depends on the individual.
Within sacred space you are invited to call in a guide, this may be an animal, for instance, a fox or a wolf will guide you into the unknown. You may also be guided by light or a spirit being. Our journey may take us to an aspect of the physical world where we learn from nature, communicating with the sun, moon and with the spirits that live in all things present in this physical reality.
You may enter the knot of a tree to be taken down through the roots and discover a playground that resides deep within the womb of our Mother. Perhaps a landscape of mountains, streams and forests, a fire burning deep within our core where we dance, cleanse and are released from ties that no longer serve us.
We may experience seeing through the eye of an Eagle to discover a more ethereal plane of existence. A Spirit-Talking-Place you might say, where we enter into a crystal city or find supreme rest upon a cloud. A dreaming place where we feel a sense of being whole, of profound love and of knowing and wonderment where the creator can move through us.
We are given this information and understanding for the purpose of healing parts of ourselves that have been lost or injured due to trauma caused by illness, loss, abuse, neglect, etc.
Rhythmic drumming sometimes combined with singing or playing instruments like rattles or flutes are often used. The drum is the heartbeat of our Mother Earth, she raises our frequency with sound creating a portal or vortex which opens us to the energies of Peace, Harmony, Love, Compassion and Unity. The drum that is typically used during Shamanic ceremonies will have an ethically sourced deer, elk or other rawhide membrane mounted on a wooden frame. The drum is usually beaten with a padded drum stick or the practitioner's hand. According to some EEG (electroencephalograph) research, certain patterns of drumming cause an increase in power of alpha (deep relaxation and meditation) and theta (deep meditation, light sleep and dreaming) frequencies of the listener. These states of mind, normally only experienced momentarily, are where your mind's most deep-seated programs live and are fertile ground for programming your mind toward more positive action. They can also provide a sense of deep spiritual connection and oneness with the Universe as well as visualizations, inspiration, creativity and insight.
Drumming is not all that a Shamanic practitioner may use. They may also provide healing through leading a ceremony, preserving traditions with storytelling and songs, fortune-telling thru rocks, shells, feathers, etc. and acting as a "guide of souls". A shamanic ceremony is a complex and powerful phenomenon, rich in meaning. It may include dancing, art, music and chanting. Recipient's may be affected differently based on their cultural background and life experience
It is important to be clear that participants are encouraged to show up with a clean pallet. In other words, not to drink alcohol or use drugs the day of the session and the day before as well as not to come on an empty stomach and or after a big meal.
During a Shamanic healing session you may be surprised by what you experience. Some experience altered states of consciousness while others experience "nothing" or a sense of disconnect. You may find that you feel energized or relaxed after a session or it may stir emotions that were buried deep inside. In any case you can choose to stay open minded no matter what the experience.
Why open to this experience? Perhaps you are feeling a bit lost, as if some part of you is missing or even feel something inside of you that just doesn't feel like it belongs. You may be struggling with physical ailments, chronic pain or emotional imbalance. No matter what you are experiencing it is real for you. It isn't necessary for you to know where it comes from, it could be some long forgotten injury or trauma and it's ok to just be curious, even a bit skeptical. Consciously or unconsciously, I believe that we all have a deep burning desire to be whole. Oftentimes wholeness requires stepping out of our comfort zone to allow that shift to happen. We have the capacity to open new doorways and expand your life experience.
Brain Waves
Beta brain waves - Your normal waking consciousness and a heightened state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. The majority of adults primarily operate at Beta during their waking hours and so it is no wonder that stress is today's most common health problem. The voice of Beta is the little nagging chatterbox of your inner critic, which becomes louder and more relentless the higher you go in this range.
Alpha brain waves - found in deep relaxation, light meditation and day-dreaming. This state is fertile ground for programming your mind toward more positive action.
Theta brain waves - found in deep meditation and light sleep and the realm of your subconscious mind. This state is normally only experienced momentarily as you drift off to sleep and arise from deep sleep. A sense of deep spiritual connection and oneness with the Universe as well as visualizations, inspiration, creativity and insight can be experienced at Theta. This is where your mind's most deep-seated programs live. The voice of Theta is silence.
Delta frequency - the slowest is found in dreamless sleep and in very deep, transcendental meditation where awareness is completely detached. Delta is the realm of your unconscious mind that is the gateway to the Universal mind and the collective unconscious. The information received here is otherwise unavailable at the conscious level. Delta is associated with deep healing and regeneration, underlining the importance of deep sleep to the healing process.
Interested in a Soul Healing?
Please reach out to book a session - [email protected].
