Whether to study in Shamanism or not.. ?

Hi there, I don't quite know what drew me to your posting as to tell the truth Shaminsim is something I know zilch about. I will be interested to see what kind of replies/advice you will get here though and I will also google it to see what it is all about.

I do hope whatever path you take will give you the fulfilment and meaning you are seeking.

Hello,

I have been interested in Shamanism and also generally in spirituality for many years.

I love the drumming and journeying and community associated with Shamanism in this country.

Unfortunately a few years ago following a difficult time I experienced psychosis. I became delusional and thought I was being affected by bad spirits etc.. of course I realize now that this was nonsense.. Unfortunately also last year, I had a relapse and again, became delusional for a short time..

I have no children and am single and I feel I am looking to Shamanism to give some meaning to my life..

..but what if shamanism is really meaningless and shamanic journeys are just imaginings..

also, with my vulnerability to delusional thinking, should I really be following that path.

I am drawn to Shamanism and every day I resist applying to courses because of my mental health problems in the past..

Can anyone offer me any advice or similar stories ?

Thankyou 🙂

What do you feel intuitively? You could try other modalities if it doesn't feel right. I think you already know the answer. If you do learn about shamanism make sure you feel comfortable with the teacher, someone grounded would be better for you, rather than someone with too many airy fairy ideas. It's the same with any healing modality or complementary therapy. It's also best if it's practical. A female teacher might be better for you I feel. See what you feel. 🙂

Hi sunshine
you are delusional or whatever else... Its all part of how you go beyond it all. There is a pull to know what lies at the heart of things or rather what lies beyond what meets the eye. Go with your pull. You will seldom go wrong. Even if it turns out that Shamanism wasn't the end game and there are other better ways to go about things...shamanism will have prepared you to be open to something bigger. Its part of your exploration. Enjoy.
why be so cautious? Go with trust, you are always being looked after. You have nothing to lose.
blessings

Thanks Jeannie.. 🙂

Jnani, your words are optomistic and comforting but I am still cautious.. I have been misled in the past with unfortunate consequences:

When I first was unwell and thought I was possessed ! (embaressing now to admit such things) but as I say I was deluded.. I went first to a shamanic healer.. she told me some soul parts had been stolen as a child by a bad spirit (the one I thought had possessed me).. needless to say on reporting this to my doctor, I was put on medication and the shamanic healer certainly didnt cure me from my delusion (which I am certain it was, as such thoughts are common in psychosis..)

That is partly why I am questioning the validity of Shamanism..

Is it all nonsense ?!

Psychic Oracle.. Thankyou.. I really enjoy Shamanic journeying and Shamanic courses.. but am wary of getting confused..
You are right though, a grounded teacher would be best for me.. and probably also a female one..

.. is there such a thing in the Uk ?!

I suppose the lesson is to be cautious about different practitioners and maybe take it all with a pinch of salt..

🙂

Hi S*

I don't know where you are, but I know a female Shaman in Cornwall, who is developing a workshop/healing centre that will be up and running soon. Check out:

Best wishes on your journey

RP

Dear Sunshine,

I cannot comment on whether or not your shamanic healer was right - soul stealing and possession are, thankfully, rare - but your psychosis will have a spiritual aspect and, reading carefully what you have written, I think soul loss is not unlikely. (This isn't a diagosis; just that the symptoms fit. A shamanic practitioner will consult with the spirits in each individual case before making any diagnosis.) But some of what you write suggests that you have doubts not just of this particular practitioner but of the whole basis of communication with the spirits. I may be reading too much into your words but, if I am right about this, then why even thing about following a path while doubting the whole basis of that path? There are many other ways out there.

If it is shamanism that you really want to do then, yes, a grounded teacher is best - not just for you, but for anyone, I would have thought. ( Psychic Oracle - can you define airy-fairy ideas?)

Finding a good teacher is as hard as finding a good practitioner. As I have said elsewhere, anybody can set up as either - however little they know about shamanism. Study websites carefully, ask questions (how long have you been teaching? How long have you been studying shamanism? With whom did you train? - and anything else you'd be happier knowing), and don't be too impressed by testimonials (we can all find someone who will write that we are marvellous) or membership of fancy sounding groups (For example, The International Shamanic Community is open to anyone who has attended a workshop with a particular teacher; The Society of Shamanic Practitioners is open to anyone interested in shamanism. They do not indicate any particular skill or experience)

So, if shamanism is what you want to do - then do it and may your spirits always walk that path with you. If not, there are plenty of other paths. Just take care.

Thanks Jeannie.. 🙂

Jnani, your words are optomistic and comforting but I am still cautious.. I have been misled in the past with unfortunate consequences:

When I first was unwell and thought I was possessed ! (embaressing now to admit such things) but as I say I was deluded.. I went first to a shamanic healer.. she told me some soul parts had been stolen as a child by a bad spirit (the one I thought had possessed me).. needless to say on reporting this to my doctor, I was put on medication and the shamanic healer certainly didnt cure me from my delusion (which I am certain it was, as such thoughts are common in psychosis..)

That is partly why I am questioning the validity of Shamanism..

Is it all nonsense ?!

Psychic Oracle.. Thankyou.. I really enjoy Shamanic journeying and Shamanic courses.. but am wary of getting confused..
You are right though, a grounded teacher would be best for me.. and probably also a female one..

.. is there such a thing in the Uk ?!

I suppose the lesson is to be cautious about different practitioners and maybe take it all with a pinch of salt..

🙂

You're experiences sound very similar to that of my own. Extremely similar. With the same paranoias that I was being delusional, and that it was embarrassing to mention such thing. You do realise don't you that it is just modern day society that makes you feel like that, and that behind the scenes there is a lot more going on energetically than we ever realised. Have faith, and your gut is your best source of information and direction. Trust yourself, and you're not mad, you just need people who understand what you have been through to help you.

Love and Light

Ancestral Healing

Modern Shamanism

Hi Sunshine,

If you are still looking for a shamanism course, may I also suggest you look at Modern Shamanism - [url]Modern Shamanism - Spirit Soars[/url]

I began this course a few months ago and for me it has been powerfully transformative. The course takes you step by step, day by day through all aspects of shamanism. While the course is based online, you don't need to spend hours in front of a computer - the practices all take place within your normal daily life. The plan is also to have in-person workshops and meet-up groups as the project grows. There are shamanic guides available to answer your questions via email or through one-to-one video conference sessions (at extra cost).

For me the major plus of this course is that it is designed to integrate with your daily life. The problem with most traditional shamanic practices is that they are bound up with the beliefs and cosmology of the culture to which they pertain. This makes it difficult to use it in a practical way in your normal, Western life. Modern Shamanism contains no such beliefs or doctrines, but is designed in such a way that it teaches you core shamanic skills which enables real transformation no matter what belief system you bring to it. I also find it a lot of fun.

Best of luck on your journey

Sorry that this reply is so late – a broken laptop screen kept me off-line for two weeks!:(

If you are still looking for a shamanism course, may I also suggest you look at Modern Shamanism - [url]Modern Shamanism - Spirit Soars[/url]

I’m really glad that this has worked for you, TonyG. However, don’t underestimate the value of actually being on a workshop with experienced teachers. Not only will other participants’ experiences validate your own, but you have someone there who will know what to do if something goes wrong (as it does, occasionally).

The course takes you step by step, day by day through all aspects of shamanism.

Does this include healing. I really don’t recommend learning this without an experienced shamanic practitioner there beside you, and other students who are learning the same things to practice on. Or working with land spirits? Could be dangerous.

For me the major plus of this course is that it is designed to integrate with your daily life. The problem with most traditional shamanic practices is that they are bound up with the beliefs and cosmology of the culture to which they pertain.

This is a wide statement. There are plenty of shamanic teachers in the U.K. who are teaching shamanism within our culture, and who are teaching ways of integrating it with ‘daily life’.

I'd have to agree from my own experience that you need to attend a workshop with experienced teachers.

I started journeying following guidelines in a (good) book and it was fine at first but then I found a couple of things happened that I didn't understand and the journeys started to get fuzzy and strange. I feel intuitively that I need guidance. At the moment I haven't journeyed for a while, although I will if I feel the pull again (and it is a strong pull!). I'm looking forward to doing my workshop in May......

Hi Sunshine!

Real is relative! But you probably already know that. I don't know what the nature of your delusions are. Maybe they're not delusions. Maybe some are, and some aren't. From what I've read, psychosis comes with the Shamanic territory. It's hard to have visions, and not feel psychotic. The worst thing about psychosis is the feeling of psychosis. It feels so surreal it can induce a terror of never coming back.

Perhaps there is no difference between journeying and psychosis. The way I can tell if a journey is "real" (whatever that means) is by how I feel a day or two later. I find the real ones tend to leave a definte, indelible impression on my psyche and soul, while flights of fancy are over as soon as the ride is over.

My own personal belief, for what it's worth as a non-Shaman, is that if one is going to give one's self over to the practice of Shamanism, to get used to functioning while psychotic.

I've learned to do that. I have learned how to function perfectly while in the grips of full on delusion. But luckily this condition waxes and wanes. Functioning is much easier when the psychosis is in retreat.

Also, if you're really serious about this, you will really need to learn how to protect yourself. I believe Shamanism is especially dangerous for fragile people.

Perhaps there is no difference between journeying and psychosis.

It is our culture that decides there is a difference. However, we are all in our culture. A good, well trained and experienced shamanic practitioner or shaman will be able to help you.

To answer your question, " is shamanism valid", yes it is. Is it for everyone? No. Only you can say if it's for you. Good luck.