Shamanism is Universal

Shamanism is the shared original belief system of all the world's peoples.  It has survived in many parts of the world and is enjoying a resurgence by many Euro-Americans and others who seek to reconnect with this ancient and vibrant path of their ancestors.

Having studied shamanism around the world since the 1950s, anthropologist Michael Harner has observed that all shamanic cultures have certain similarities.   However, these common elements, which he calls "core shamanism," aren't devoid of culture.  Every person has a culture that colors how we see the world and ourselves.  If you start out with "core" or "Harner-method" shamanism, your practice quickly becomes your own personalized version of Western shamanism.

A Way of Living, Not A Religion

Shamanism co-exists with many religions and with atheism. Shamanism is not a religion or faith but a method of knowing, a way to live in direct experience with the rest of Nature, with All That Is, with Mystery, with what I call the Loving and Compassionate Spirits of the Universe, the energies of love and compassion.

As Sandra Ingerman attests, shamanism [originally meant] "spending long periods of time alone in nature, connecting to the plants and animals, learning to read omens, watching for changes in weather patterns, finding food sources, performing ceremonies and singing and dancing."

Shaman: Definition

The word shaman is a word from the Siberian (Tungus) people of Central Asia.  It is pronounced with the short "a" (as in "ah" not the long "a" as in "shame").  A shaman is someone who, by entering an altered state of consciousness at will, can see or know the spiritual reality beyond what we usually see and know and bring back knowledge or healing from that dimension.

Classic Tool: The Shamanic Journey

The main way to achieve this altered state is the drumbeat. The drum is the ancient tool of the shaman and acts as a horse or canoe to transport the traveler on the journey and return them back to this realm. Scientists have shown that a steady, monotonous drum beat of 205 to 220 beats per minute induces a theta trance state in the human brain.

---

To schedule an experiential workshop for your group or to find out about workshops in the Washington, D.C. area, contact Tyrtle.

To learn more, see Links and Resources.

   Home   |   Introduction   |   Healing   |   Journeying   |  Resources  |   About Tyrtle