...if he/she is a shaman?
RE: How does one know...
journey on it
RE: How does one know...
I've yet to find two shamanic workers who agree on a definition of 'shaman', so for me, the answer has to come from within.The only ones you have to concern yourself with are your guides and your own sense of Being.
Shaman is as good a label as any until something better comes along.
🙂
RE: How does one know...
I'm sorry moonfeather but i totally disagree when you say "shaman is as good a label as any until something better comes along"
To be called shaman is an honour and a privledge, too many people today take a flippant view of the word.
I do shamanic work and do not call myself a shaman, because I do not feel i have earned the title.
On the other hand, Ibelieve that honour, integrity and intention are more important than what you call yourself, the work comes through us, and that is what holds us in spirit.
walk in beauty.
RE: How does one know...
sha·man (shämn, sh-)
n.
A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events.
According to the dictionary definition you only need to be a spiritual healer who believes they are connected to the spiritual realms in order to label yourself as a healer. No need for any special bestowment of the title in terms of having to earn the right to use it.
For me, I have to agree, it sounds just like a label.
Love and Reiki Hugs
RE: How does one know...
It seems like the appropriate word is "healer". Would everyone agree?
I've been contemplating whether or not I would pass as a shaman for the past couple years or so, but like you said, Moonfeather, there are so many different takes on the definition that I can't make any resolve. There are a few formal definition, of course, like the one you gave, Energylz, and according to that particular one, I would say no, I'm not a shaman (I don't practice sorcery and I don't heal - although I do like reaching out to people and helping them in whatever way I can). But then there's Terence McKenna's definition which I quoted in [link= http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=455952 ]this thread[/link]. According to McKenna, a shaman is one who is able to transcend the mundane world and enter into a more metaphysical one wherein he/she can gather experiences and insights that can be brought back for the good of the community and expressed as art. I think that "good of the community" roughly translates into "healing". By that standard, I would definitely say I'm a shaman.
But in the end, I think it would be best to say that I am shaman-like. I don't feel comfortable with a formal label. I do what I do and I am what I am. If that's a shaman, great! If not, then I am something else.
RE: How does one know...
ORIGINAL: gib
But in the end, I think it would be best to say that I am shaman-like. I don't feel comfortable with a formal label. I do what I do and I am what I am. If that's a shaman, great! If not, then I am something else.
That's probably the best way to go.
Let other people give you a label if that's what they want to do, but don't label yourself.
I practice Reiki, Mind Therapies and Life Coaching, but I just call myself a practitioner of these things. In "conventional" terms I am a Reiki Master, but I don't call myself that. I do what I can to assist others and if they want to call me their Therapist, Healer or Coach then that is up to them.
Assigning oneself with labels of supposed status seems a bit egotistical to me.
Love and Reiki Hugs