Understanding the concept of interconnectedness and the idea that all life is imbued with spiritual significance is fundamental to comprehending the world of shamanism. The spiritual worldview forms the basis of shamanic practices, rituals, and healing methods, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony and balance between all aspects of existence.

Shamanism is an ancient and spiritual practice that has existed for thousands of years in various indigenous societies around the world. It is characterized by practitioners, know as shamans, who are believed to have the ability to communicate with the spirit world, including ancestors, spirits of nature, and other supernatural beings. Shamanism is the most ancient and most enduring spiritual tradition known to humanity. The practice of shamanism has played a specific role in the culture and historical development of various societies, with several key aspects contributing to its significance.

Shamans often serve as spiritual guides and healers within their communities providing guidance, performing rituals, and conducting ceremonies aimed at promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Their role in healing practices has been crucial in many cultures where they are considered the primary source of health care and spiritual guidance.

Shamanism has served as a cornerstone of cultural identity in many indigenous communities shaping their belief systems, rituals, and social structures. The rituals and practices associated with shamanism often from the core of communal traditions, myths, and oral histories, helping to maintain cultural continuity and fostering a sense of unity and identity among community members.

Shamans typically have a deep connection with the natural world and their practices often involve rituals and ceremonies aimed at maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature. Their interconnectedness has influenced the indigenous ecological beliefs and practices, fostering a profound respect for the environment and promoting sustainable living practices.

Shamanism has been instrumental in preserving traditional knowledge, including oral histories, mythologies, and cultural practices that have been passed down through generations. By upholding these ancient traditions, shamans have played a vital role in maintaining cultural heritage and preventing the erosion of indigenous knowledge and practices.

Core Beliefs & Practices

Everything is interrelated and interdependent. If one species suffers, all others are affected. The health and well-being of humanity is dependent on the overall health of the sentient web of life. The shamanic practitioner is sensitive to this interrelationship and serves as a bridge, linking the human and natural realms. The practitioners prayerful communion with the natural elements and powers preserves an orderly, and harmonious universe.

Shamanic practitioners can access other realms of reality. Practitioners employ methods for altering consciousness so that they can send their souls into non-ordinary reality. The act of sending ones soul into non-ordinary reality is called soul flight or shamanic journey, and it allows the journeyer to view life and life’s problems from a detached spiritual perspective not easily achieved in an ordinary state of consciousness. One of the most universal methods for altering consciousness for this spirit journey is a persistent, mesmerizing drum beat.

The Lower World

In shamanic traditions the lower world is one of the three main realms that a shaman might journey during a shamanic journey. The lower world is believed to be a realm below the earths surface or in an alternate spiritual dimension, depending on the specific cultural interpretation of the shamanic cosmology. The realm is typically associated with the subconscious instincts, and the earthly aspects of existence.

During a shamanic journey to the lower world, the practitioner seeks to connect with spirit guides, power animals, or other spirit entities that can offer guidance, healing, and wisdom. It is seen as a place of deep earth energy, where on can access profound knowledge, ancestral wisdom, and primal instincts. Shamans may journey to the lower world to retrieve lost soul fragments, gain insights into personal or collective challenges, and receive healing and guidance on earthly matters and practical life concerns. The lower world can be a transformative experience helping individuals to reconnect with their roots, tap into primal energies, and access the wisdom of the natural world. In some shamanic modalities the lower world represents the past where people journey to heal trauma.

The Middle World

In shamanic cosmology the middle world is the ordinary everyday physical reality that we all inhabit. It is the realm humans and other living beings exist and interact with the tangible aspects of the world. When a shaman journeys to the middle world they are essentially exploring the ordinary reality that we experience in our waking lives. It can refer to the spiritual dimension that exists alongside our physical reality.

The spiritual aspect of the middle world includes various spiritual energies, entities, and beings that co-exist with us in our everyday lives, even if we are not aware of their presence. During a shamanic journey to the middle world they might seek guidance or insight to practical matters, personal challenges, or everyday concerns. This could involve connecting with spiritual guides, power animals, or other spiritual entities that can offer protection, assistance, and knowledge.

A shaman might journey to the middle world to preform healing work, retrieve lost energy, or restore balance and harmony within the physical and spiritual aspects of the world. By connecting with the energies and entities of the middle world shamans gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and work towards healing and promoting well-being for individuals and communities within the physical realm.

The Upper World

The upper world is often perceived as a spiritual dimension that exists beyond an ordinary reality, associated with higher consciousness, spiritual enlightenment, and divine wisdom. During a shamanic journey to the upper world a practitioner might seek to transcend the limitations of the physical realm and access guidance, wisdom, and insights from higher beings such as spirit guides, ancestors, ascended masters, and other celestial entities. The upper world is often seen as a place of light, clarity, and divine knowledge, were one can receive profound spiritual teachings, enlightenment, and guidance related to one’s life purpose, spiritual path, and higher consciousness.

Journeying to the upper world allows the shaman to transcend the boundaries of ordinary perception and tap into divine realms of existence, fostering a deeper connection with the spiritual aspects of the universe. By exploring the upper worlds the shamans can bring back insights, visions, and teachings that can be applied towards healing, spiritual growth, and the greater good of individuals and communities.

8 Stages of Healing

The concept of the 8 stages of healing is often associated with the work of the renowned anthropologist and shamanic practitioner, Albert Villoldo, who has integrated shamanic wisdom with modern psychology and medicine.

First Stage: Involves the process of the shaman gathering and working with the “Luminous Energy Field” (LEF), which is believed to be an energy field that surrounds the physical body and serves as a matrix for the body’s health and well-being.

Second Stage: Entails the clearing of the chakras and releasing any energetic imprints from the past causing illness or imbalance in the present.

Third Stage: Focuses on the process of releasing toxic energies and influences, including negative energies and influences, including negative emotions, traumas, and harmful beliefs that may be stored in the LEF.

Fourth Stage: Involves the retrieval of lost soul parts or essence that may have become disconnected from the individual due to past traumas or challenging life experiences.

Fifth Stage: Centers around the process of illuminating the “shadow,” which involves confronting and integrating the aspects of the self that have been repressed or denied.

Sixth Stage: Revolves around the process of “soul remembering,” which involves accessing the wisdom and knowledge of one’s soul and integrating it in one’s current life.

Seventh Stage: Focuses on the process of creating a new “energy body” that is free from the imprints of the past and aligned with the individuals highest potential and purpose.

Eighth Stage: Involves the activation of the “filaments of the divine” which connects the individual to a higher spiritual consciousness and allows them to embody true spiritual essence.

Luminous Energy Field (LEF)

The Luminous Energy Field is an energy field that surrounds the physical body, serving as a matrix for our health and well-being. It interacts with our physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects, influencing our overall balance and vitality. Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and energy work can help cultivate awareness of the LEF. By paying attention to sensations, emotions, and subtle energy shifts within our body , we can begin to perceive the presence of the LEF.

Imbalances and blockages in the LEF can manifest as feelings of fatigue, emotional distress, physical discomfort, or a sense of being “stuck” in certain areas of life. These signs often indicate that the energy flow within the LEF is disrupted and requires attention. Practices such as energy healing , meditation, aura cleansing exercises, and engaging with nature can help cleanse and balance the LEF. Regular self care , healthy lifestyle choices, and maintaining a positive mindset also contributes to the overall health of the LEF.