Seeking Shamans

Hello ATS!

In the past year I've become extremely intrigued by the practice of Shamanism. There are several reasons I believe it is a credible spiritual sysytem: 1.) It has been around since 20,000-30,000 BCE if not earlier. 2.) There are no rules or procedures, just advice from experienced individuals; the rest is up to you to figure out. 3.) The stories, knowledge, and experiences from shamans of different cultural backgrounds are very similar; this knowledge has been passed down for millenia in separate, isolated areas around the globe and yet most shamans have the same general knowledge and experiences (example: the belief that to enter the lower realm one must enter through a hole [cave, trees, wells, etc.])

I would really like to meet other members on ATS who practice Shamanism and would like to discuss theories and share experiences.

I'd also like to meet people who are intrigued by the concept but have not
delved into it yet. I'd love to see more people with interest in the subject.

To start off I'd like to hear some stories of what got you interested in Shamanism in the first place or what you find appealing that you'd like to learn more about.

My first encounter with Shamanism was in a discussion with a good friend of mine who has introduced a lot of occult topics to me. Prior to him showing me I believed that shamans rarely, if ever, practiced in this day and age. In fact my first mental image was this guy from Conan the Barbarian

After getting him to describe to me the fundamentals I went out and purchased "The Way Of The Shaman" by Michael Harner as well as a drumming disc for my meditations. The book is very enlightening, very well written, and shows that Dr. Harner is an experienced professional who knows his stuff. I was thoroughly impressed and have been researching as much as I can about Shamanism since.

Originally posted by Scurvy
Hello ATS!

yet most shamans have the same general knowledge and experiences (example: the belief that to enter the lower realm one must enter through a hole [cave, trees, wells, etc.])

I would really like to meet other members on ATS who practice Shamanism and would like to discuss theories and share experiences.

You can enter the other realm by the 'hole in your mind' not exactly how I would describe it. The idea is to cross from one side to the other whilst meditating on what brought you there(your quest) and observe the insight it affords. Whether it's the 'lower realm' depends on the intention involved.

But it does rely on the innate knowledge of natural lore and the empowerment you receive when the connection is made(ahh the oneness

Get someone with experience who can show you the way and remember the lore is not good or bad it will be your intention that you bring that will effect the nature of the insight.

By 'hole in your mind' are you meaning the creating of a hole in your mind displaced from a natural setting? By entering through a hole I meant the visualization of a hole, everyone will associate the word hole differently and their mental image of it will affect where they "enter".

Also by lower world I was referring to an axis mundi where there are 4 physical directions as well as up and down.

Thanks for posting, I wasn't sure if anyone would actually reply to this topic The empowerment when you realize you have accomplished something with sheer mindpower is definitely a phenomal feeling. It is totally a unifying experience between body and mind.

I would love to find a "true" shaman someday. That would be an adventure of a lifetime. Sadly though, in this day and age I am having my doubts as to whether or not it would even be possible to find one.

Originally posted by Karlhungis
I would love to find a "true" shaman someday. That would be an adventure of a lifetime. Sadly though, in this day and age I am having my doubts as to whether or not it would even be possible to find one.

go to a reservation..

I haven't been to every one, just the n. arizona navajo reservations, s. arizona san xavier rez, and a few others around the country. If you look hard enough you will find elders.
Bring them some groceries and respect, and express to them, what it is that you are seeking.

each one of you are a ''shaman''

reply to post by Karlhungis



Yeah, I wondered about talking to these guy's medicine man when this came out.
www.cbsnews.com...


After seeing them shooting arrows at the airplane taking the pictures, I like them already and would say they have excellent instincts. -Hope they leave them alone.

As a 'half breed' raised on the rez, and a member of the NA Church, I have extensive knowledge at my fingertips concerning your OP.

I know that my answer will sound like a copout concerning the fact that youve already done it but - seek and ye shall find...

I, personally, will not speak of shamanism in open forums. Theres always u2u.

ask, and the answer will be presented...

reply to post by Scurvy


Since there are no rules and procedures, would you mind sharing what you call a "shaman?"

Is there a particular sort of experience one might have, or some particular way of coming by insight that you are using to define "shamanism?"

This question is not meant in any hostile way whatsoever, but without being certain what you mean, what you are looking for, I think it would be difficult for someone to know if they were the sort of person to whom you wanted to speak.

Many who might call themselves "shamans" have read books on it, thought it was cool, and decided they were one. Are you looking for them?

Some who have had certain types of experiences and come by insight in ways not typical may NOT choose to label themselves as shamans, but might meet you definition.

Originally posted by Illusionsaregrander
Since there are no rules and procedures, would you mind sharing what you call a "shaman?"

Imagine what I could call you if you had never been named, so that you would still recognize yourself. It would not be a spoken word, or at least not a very easy one to pronounce.

I think the part about having no procedure is more defining of what the OP is looking for than the name "shaman" itself, but maybe that's just me.

I have been called a shaman by many of my friends, but it is not correct. I am a LONG way off! I have however acted as a guru to them with some success. I will be following this thread with much interest.

Starred and flagged!

A shaman can not be self-defined. A person becomes a shaman after sufficient practice and when people in his/her community start calling them a shaman. A true shaman has no ego and shamanism cannot be learned from books.

I'm looking for people who have experience with altered states of consciousness, those who have projected into the spirit realm, those who have treated another person using spiritual techniques, and those who are interested in tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge shamans possess.

Grock I'm curious as to what makes you unwilling to speak of shamanism in a public forum. You've intrigued me . I'd love to discuss the topic more in depth, I'll be dropping you a U2U.

Hello!

I just make my daily rimes with old Vikings orakel, wich I use these times. I like to spend days in places, witch are made in stoneage, and I have many occultist talents, witch I will train forward.

Am I Shaman? Thats not me to decide. If somebody ask me to help him, I will do, if anybody ask my opinion to anything, I am ready to give it.

From who I ask? Mostly from spirits inside of me, sometimes I ask them to come to me from outside, usually when I am out in nature, there I like to meet new, wild spirits. I can talk with animals, I understand their thoughts, and sometimes they can talk to me.

Am I shaman? I dont know, am I human? I dont know either.

I have been sick last time about 12 years ago, I never had a broken bone in my life, or bad wound or injury. In many accidents, I have survived without a scratch...

Do I have met any Shamans in my life? Yes, I call them angels, I have, and I respect them as my true friends, and equals in spirit. They have always been womans, I am a man.

So, If you meet one, what is it that you want to ask? Just ask anything, from what you are looking for, and I will give my honest repply.

Originally posted by Scurvy
A shaman can not be self-defined. A person becomes a shaman after sufficient practice and when people in his/her community start calling them a shaman. A true shaman has no ego and shamanism cannot be learned from books.

I'm looking for people who have experience with altered states of consciousness, those who have projected into the spirit realm, those who have treated another person using spiritual techniques, and those who are interested in tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge shamans possess.

Grock I'm curious as to what makes you unwilling to speak of shamanism in a public forum. You've intrigued me

. I'd love to discuss the topic more in depth, I'll be dropping you a U2U.

According to your definition you could call me a shaman.
However, I understand Grock´s hesitance to speak openly. Modern shamanism often involves the use of controlled substances to attain what you call ´altered states´ - and this can lead to criminal charges.

I, just as Grock would feel much more comfortable answering any questions in U2U format. If you wish, you can post my answers as an anonymous user.

Originally posted by Karlhungis
I would love to find a "true" shaman someday. That would be an adventure of a lifetime. Sadly though, in this day and age I am having my doubts as to whether or not it would even be possible to find one.

There is no such thing as a "True" Shaman, Karlhungis.

At least, not where the actual practitioners are concerned - to them, the things they do and the things they understand are very, very real.

I would not call myself a Shaman, even if i respect it as the most credible and justified religion on the plane.

"Shaman" is also merely a word, one that arose several thousand years after the fact.


The impact of historical value on the society we live in today is astonishing, but for those who practitioned before even the written word (e.g; Mongolian Shamanism, where the written word was devised by Genghis at some point at the end of the first millenia) they knew nothing of what other practitioners were capable of, save for hearing it through word of mouth.

And a "Shaman" knows how much value to place on word of mouth.

Once one understands that his reality is merely a series of experiences, one begins to understand how such things as "Shamanism" came to be.

JanusFIN that is AWESOME! I would like to spend long periods of time in a natural stone setting. Vikings rule.

Well since you so kindly offered to answer some questions I do in fact have a few. What got you interested in occult knowledge to begin with? Was there a person in your life who inspired it or did you "stumble" across it yourself?

What methods do you use to acquire trance state (drumming/rattles, psychadelics, pain, etc.)?

Have you ever used your spiritual power to do harm? It is obviously not a very open subject that people are willing to talk about but a simple yes or no answer would satisfy the curiosity I have.

Am I shaman? I dont know, am I human? I dont know either.

This comment REALLY drew my interest as I have had the same discussion with my friend who is interested in occult knowledge. I also feel at times like I am not human. The people I see every day are nothing like me. The way I think, feel, and logically put things together seem to be on a different plane (not necessarily superior), as if I do not belong here. I do not seem to get sick unless I'm in an emotional crisis when I wear my body down.

Psychopump I would pose the same questions to you that I'm asking JanusFIN. I would not mind at all receiving the answers through U2U and if you feel more comfortable not speaking publicly about the subject I would not post your replies, any one with questions can ask themselves if they desire to know.

I understand the need to be discreet on such subjects as substances. I, at times, tend to be more open than I should be.

Originally posted by Scurvy

Am I shaman? I dont know, am I human? I dont know either.

The way I think, feel, and logically put things together seem to be on a different plane (not necessarily superior), as if I do not belong here.

That one got my interest as well, Scurvy, but i was waiting to see whether or not someone would "Pop the question" before moving onto it.

My musings on the matter go along the lines of the usual multi-dimensional reality that has helped me come to terms with the stuff i can't explain - like Reality.

You can't explain Reality, it just 'is' - in no way is reality any less or more real than I am.

I used that idea as a tool for acheiving greater understanding, as it is true that regardless of what one imagines, that imagined thought is still an experience - if enough weight is pushed into the notion.

Hench why people hallucinate.

You could say that i do not feel like i belong here anymore than i believe that Reality belongs here.

Originally posted by Scurvy
A shaman can not be self-defined. A person becomes a shaman after sufficient practice and when people in his/her community start calling them a shaman. A true shaman has no ego and shamanism cannot be learned from books.

No offense, but two small points. Are you certain that practice is needed? Do you think it may be possible not for the "veil of illusion" to be slowed lowered, but to one day suddenly fall? Perhaps, as many traditions suggest, "practice" would not be the way, but that which takes you further from the way. Perhaps "practice" is organized by the thinking mind, in an attempt to access another form of wisdom outside of/different from itself, and as such, can only lead you further astray. Perhaps like Jesus suggests, when he admonishes that one must be like a little child, this is best accessed without guile, without desire, without seeking. I would wonder too, if recognition of others would be a legitimate guide to someones access to the divine, or if it would rather reflect their salesmanship. There have been many who have had lots of followers that under scrutiny, do not hold up as anything other than an exploiter of fear and the desire to be more than one really is.

Originally posted by Scurvy
I'm looking for people who have experience with altered states of consciousness, those who have projected into the spirit realm, those who have treated another person using spiritual techniques, and those who are interested in tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge shamans possess.

That is a very good request, it makes what you are looking for clear. I think that will be helpful. One small question, what do you hope to find or to hear? I am just curious.

reply to post by Anti-Tyrant


I get where you're coming from. Everything is a part of some sort of reality. Accepting that things just ARE is hard for someone who questions everything. Understanding that your thoughts are a part of what defines you and influences your path is difficult to comprehend and come to terms with as well but on that front I'm doing good. The knowledge that I can do anything is a very scary concept but it does cause me to enter all situations with the best intent.

I often wonder if I was placed in this physical reality for a reason or if that was just my slice of the eternal cake and could have manifested somewhere else.

reply to post by Scurvy


Thank you from your questions.

What got you interested in occult knowledge to begin with?

It begins before I have born. My mother is a book writer, and she did a book from my godmother, who was very well known astrology and a truth teller in my country. She predict my born, and give me my name to me, Janus, wich make me named as two faced god. She also write me very direct future predict by astrology and thoughts, witch I get read myself when I turn to 20. BTW, there are only four in my country with same name as I have. When I grow up, all the occultist behaves has come in slow movement, but when they has come, they have take me with very strongly. Maybe first touch was with animals and their spirits.

Was there a person in your life who inspired it or did you "stumble" across it yourself?

I mention my godmother who has already past away, but maybe the strongest one is my ex girlfriend from decades ago, who lead us both to very different worlds inside of ours. She is still my angel, and we are very important to each others in spiritual minds. But she is not only angel in my lfe, I have been blessed with such people, like she truly are.

Have you ever used your spiritual power to do harm?

Yes, to get my peacefull state of mind back. Sometimes peoples have great gifts with spirits, and they use them without responsibility. To save your self, sometimes you have to attack to defend your soul and spirits. But I will not attack, if I have not been attacked, because attack take always lots of energy, and needs lots of reasons. Wanting harm is not an option, but wanting a great lesson is.

I also feel at times like I am not human.

Very nice to meet you! There are many of us, but we cant find each others very often. When we do, there is a great reason for that meeting, like this meeting of ours.

I do not seem to get sick unless I'm in an emotional crisis

You sound very lonely. You should find people who give you back that needed positive energy of ours. Loose your mind from chains of your brains, and trust to your motions, let them run in your life as one, with your soul. But listen your brains, every single day, but make decissions with your motions, and trust to them. Thats the way you make more positive energy to your self, and how you can balance your power. Be careful with your ego, dont ask always "what you want", but "what is right?" And finally, greatest reason to loose your spiritual positive ennergy is to loose that to people who cant offer anything back... "Dont try to save all of them, save your self first."