Shaman
What is a Shaman and what is a Journey?
Shaman is an ancient Evenki word (the language of the indigenous people of Siberia) that means, "one who sees," or, "one who knows the origin". The academic meaning of shaman is, "an individual who acts as a medium in tribal or traditional communities." This definition of shaman has been revised and improved over many years, and languages as humanity have interpreted the characteristics of shamans. Although some use the word shaman to only refer to Native American or other indigenous tribal healers or medicine people, the term generally refers to one who works in the worlds of living people and the spirit world with guides while in a particular type of meditative state. Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (Shaman) interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness such as trance. The goal of this is to direct spirits or spiritual energies into the physical world for the purpose of healing, divination or to aid human beings in some other way. Shamans are highly spiritual people who are believed to be visionaries and spiritual intermediaries. They spend their lives in pursuit of connecting with the nature of the universe. Usually, this pursuit of connection comes from a desire to better perceive truth and ultimate reality.
Shamans are considered to be religious/spiritual specialists throughout many cultures in Africa, Asia, South America, and even the West. In addition to being considered spiritual authorities in tribal communities, Shamans are also believed to be healers. As part of their training, shamans develop a deep understanding of the human body, medicinal herbs, and practices, as well as psychological insight to aid the people of their region. These practices were sought after throughout history, and are still revered today in underdeveloped and even developing countries.
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When A shaman prepares for the shamanic journey they go into a deep meditative controlled trance. Each shaman begins their journey with a theme, if they are looking for guidance on a specific issue, their theme would be whatever the issue is. They form a phrase or a sentence and its repeated over and over again which is the "intention" for the shamanic journey. This phrase or sentence helps to transcend them into the spirit world. The Shaman is said to be walking with one foot in the everyday world and with the other in the spirit world. The basic idea is its a way of finding answers, information, healing, wisdom, and knowledge as well as guidance or help with one’s personal life. During the Journey, he meets with spirits who may be regarded as ancestors, elders, deceased shamans, spirit guides, power animals, and angels. These beings are seen as beings with great wisdom, and power. A Shamanic journey can be used to accomplish basically anything.