Contemporary core shamanism-history

Michael Harner's core shamanic practice: . Harner is an American anthropologist who has studied shamanic practices around the world to find what is common, or core, to all of them. They appear to be part of all cultural traditions if we go far enough back in time.

Shamanism seems to be the way humans originally connected with their spirituality. The shamanic sixth sense that allowed hunters to sense where game was, or gatherers to find the medicines and food they needed and know how to use them, was essential to human survival. With the rise of organized religions and technological cultures, shamanic practices were lost or driven from many cultures.

Interest in shamanic practices is occurring world-wide, as people of many cultures realize that a purely technological and material approach to life is barren and not fully human. Not recognizing the connectedness of all life has led to the destruction of many lifeforms on the planet and is not healthy for all other lifeforms living now. In searching for healthier ways to live, many are finding themselves drawn to spiritual practices that are based on recognizing the interconnectedness of all life, and that there is more to life than meets the eye--a magical dimension exists around us at all times that we can tap into to enrich our lives.

When Harner discovered the power of shamanic practice during his fieldwork in the Amazon Basin more than 30 years ago, he wanted to teach this to Western people, so they would learn more compassion and respect for each other and other living things. But in many cultures, the road to becoming a shaman is long and arduous and Harner did not see Westerners as willing to go through that process. He searched to find what was core to shamanic practice around the world, so he could teach people the bare bones of accessing non-ordinary reality without any cultural trappings.

He developed a synthesis of the essence of shamanic practice that is simple and easy to learn. He stresses that once you learn basic contemporary core shamanic practice, the way to learn more is to follow the guidance you receive from your own personal spirit helpers (power animals or spirit teachers) in non-ordinary reality and/or work with an experienced teacher.

The shamanic journey

The basic practice of contemporary core shamanism is the shamanic "journey." This is an experience that is usually 10 to 20 minutes long. Rhythmic sound from a drum or rattle, or free form dance movement, guides the "journeyer" into a receptive relaxed state and she has an experience like a lucid dream, which unfolds as she lays or sits quietly and travels to non-ordinary reality in her imagination. The journeyer asks questions for guidance, usually of her personal dream intermediaries or spirit helpers, who appear to be animals or people.

Non-ordinary reality can look and feel like ordinary reality, or it can seem extraordinary e.g., crystal cities, giant geometric shapes. Journeying is not an out-of-body experience; one can be aware of ordinary reality surroundings. Yet, in shamanic journeys, people can swim like fish, fly over mountains, visit the spirits of people not physically present and it feels real. Everyone's experience is unique and personally meaningful to them.

One can journey alone or with a group. The key to doing a shamanic journey is to have a question or an intent that is important to you. Generally, people journey when they feel the desire or need rather than on a regular basis. Although it is not the only way to connect with non-ordinary reality, the discipline of the journey is a powerful way to learn about non-ordinary reality so that other methods become easier.

The best way to learn to shamanic journey is with an experienced teacher. Although one can learn it alone through reading and practicing, there are precautions and helpful measures that are best learned with someone with experience.

Power animals

The first task in learning contemporary shamanic practice is to connect with our power animals--the characters who are generally our "tour guides" in non-ordinary reality. In shamanic cultures it is believed that we all have power animal(s) who act as our guardian spirit(s). Our power animal(s) represents our strengths, our qualities of character, our power.

We may have more than one power animal, and they may change over time as our lives change and call us to have different kinds of strengths. Knowing what these animals are helps us connect with our own strengths, and infuses us with personal power. This enables us to create the lives we want.

When our connection with our power animals is weak, perhaps because we are not honoring or expressing that aspect of ourselves, we can become dispirited or ill.

Ways to maintain strong connections with our power animal(s), to stay healthy and powerful, are to honor them in the way that feels best. Some people carry objects that represent their power animals or have pictures of them evident. Michael Harner advocates "exercising" your power animals regularly--allowing their spirit to fill your body as you dance, walk, cycle, or exercise. This gives them the gift of being embodied and allows you a bodily experience of the energy of your power animal(s).

Spirit guides or teachers

All of us have spirit guides or teachers, also, who appear to be people in non-ordinary reality. They can be archetypal figures (e.g., certain gods or goddesses, Grandfather Sun), or historical figures (e.g., Jesus), people of any culture of any time period, even people we may know or have known. Many have experienced their spirit guides as the unseen voice or presence that has warned them or comforted them at critical times in their lives.

Spirit guides or teachers are wise advisors from whom we can seek guidance. We can also ask our spirit teachers to help us with ordinary reality challenges (e.g., improving my relationship with so-and-so, opening my new business). If it is in the greater good, we often find miraculous support in meeting our intended goals.

Our spirit helpers can give us advice, but are not there to make our decisions for us. We have free will and are intended to use it, co-creating our own and the collective experience with their spiritual assistance.