shamanism is a practice that involves practitioners reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with the spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world. Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind, there is archaeological evidence that it has been practiced all over the world for the past 70,000 years. It is not a religion but a practice of making transpersonal connections with the sacred realms.
A shaman is a spiritual leader of groups/communities or tribes who adhere the belief in shamanism. The belief and practice of shamanism incorporates a range of beliefs, customs, ceremonies and rituals regarding communication with the spirit world in which the spirit leader (Shaman) enters supernatural realms and dimensions to seek knowledge and wisdom.
Although there are many different forms of shamanism and they all have the same underlying beliefs, each culture is unique as to how these states of consciousness are achieved.
shamans claim to gain knowledge and the power to heal by entering the spiritual world or dimension. most shamans have dreams or visions that convey certain messages. The shaman may have or acquire many spirit guides, who often guide and direct the shaman in his/her astral travels to the spirit world. These spirits are always present within the shaman, although others encounter them only when the shaman is in a trance. These spirit guide energizes the shaman, enabling him/her to enter the spiritual dimension. The shaman heals with the spiritual dimension by returning lost parts of the human soul from wherever they have gone. The shaman also cleanses negative energies, which confuse or pollute the soul/spirit.
Shamans in many cultures use meditative states of consciousness to enable them to connect with alternate realities. Through the practice of meditation they are able to calm the mind of thought and enter trance like states to increase there vibrational frequency. Many shamanic cultures and tribes also use sacred rituals and ceremonies to help to induce the trance like states. Some of these include animal sacrifice and in ancient cultures even human sacrifice, they also include chanting mantras and beating on animal skin drums to a constant rhythm whilst dancing. Some cultures such as Amazonia use sacred hallucinogenic plants and medicines that induce psychedelic effects on the mind that cleanses the body of evil spirits.
Properties of the shaman
These are some cultures from around the world that are known for practicing shamanic rituals.
shamans claim to gain knowledge and the power to heal by entering the spiritual world or dimension. most shamans have dreams or visions that convey certain messages. The shaman may have or acquire many spirit guides, who often guide and direct the shaman in his/her astral travels to the spirit world. These spirits are always present within the shaman, although others encounter them only when the shaman is in a trance. These spirit guide energizes the shaman, enabling him/her to enter the spiritual dimension. The shaman heals with the spiritual dimension by returning lost parts of the human soul from wherever they have gone. The shaman also cleanses negative energies, which confuse or pollute the soul/spirit.
Shamans in many cultures use meditative states of consciousness to enable them to connect with alternate realities. Through the practice of meditation they are able to calm the mind of thought and enter trance like states to increase there vibrational frequency. Many shamanic cultures and tribes also use sacred rituals and ceremonies to help to induce the trance like states. Some of these include animal sacrifice and in ancient cultures even human sacrifice, they also include chanting mantras and beating on animal skin drums to a constant rhythm whilst dancing. Some cultures such as Amazonia use sacred hallucinogenic plants and medicines that induce psychedelic effects on the mind that cleanses the body of evil spirits.
Properties of the shaman
-Communicator - The shaman provides help and and advice to the members of the tribe.
-Educator - Keeper/teacher of myth, tradition and wisdom.
-Healer - Spiritual healing powers to provide spiritual haling caused by evil spirits.
- Prophet - Able to preform various forms of prophecy.
-Mystic - Ability to communicate with the spirit world and leave the material world behind to enter the supernatural in search of answers of healing and wisdom.
These are some cultures from around the world that are known for practicing shamanic rituals.
-Hmong shamanism
-Mongolian Shamanism / Yellow Shamanism(influenced by Buddhism)
-Siberian Shamanism
-North American/Red Indian Shamanism
-Ancient Mayan and Aztec
-Amazonian Shamanism
-Oceania
-Mali
-Zulu
-Tibetan Shamanism
-Chinese Shamanism (Wu)
-Modern western shamanism / Neoshamanism
Although some of these practices throughout the different cultures are thousands of years old, many of these sacred and spiritual ceremonies and practices are still preformed today.
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| Mayan inspired shaman |
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| Amazonian shaman |
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| Mongolian shaman |
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| Native american shaman |
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