User:Pic1cathy
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What Caregivers Need To Know About Shamanism By Paul Celuzza (bio) High priest, medicine man, witch doctor or demon? The shaman, (pronounced with the short “a” as in “ah” -- not the long “a” as in “shame”) a mysterious and controversial figure in history, can assume all of these roles.
Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and mysterious way of life practiced by peoples of many religions, from Christianity, to Judaism, to Hinduism. Shamanistic practices are thought to predate all organized religions and certainly date back to the Neolithic period. The shamanic practices of many cultures were virtually wiped out with the spread of Christianity, which portrayed such practices as witchcraft or consorting with the devil. Today, shamanism, once universal, survives primarily among indigenous tribal peoples in North and South America, Africa, and Asia.
The distinguishing characteristic of shamanism is its focus on an ecstatic trance in which the soul of the shaman is believed to leave the body and ascend to the sky (heavens) or descend into the earth (underworld). The shaman assumes an altered state of consciousness, known as Shamanic Ecstasy, in order to journey to the other dimensions of existence. This state of exaltation in which the shaman leaves his/her own body can only be achieved after strenuous training and initiation.
Shamans are able to communicate with ancestors and spirits through contact with power animals representing different spirits. These power animals often appear during a shamanic journey to assist and guide the practitioner. It is believed that shamans have the ability to magically transform themselves into an animal. Drums and rattles are typically used in the shamanic ceremony, as are animal masks depicting birds, deer and reindeer antlers.
The resulting contact by the shaman with the higher or lower regions and their inhabitants, and also with the nature spirits enables the shaman to accomplish such tasks as accompanying the soul of a deceased into its proper place in the next world, affect the well-being of the sick and to convey the story of their inner travels upon their return to the real world.
Contemporary shamanism has evolved into a New Age self-help version incorporating some of the traditional elements such as contacting the spirit world and altered states of consciousness with a new focus on the individual and self-help. This new version has been embraced by various groups including: · medical practitioners seeking alternative medical therapies · psychologists and psychiatrists seeking new ways to understand and treat mental illness · therapists, counselors, group facilitators and workshop leaders seeking new paths to personal development and self-help · business leaders interested in spiritual methods to better motivate and inspire employees and themselves.
Alternative health medicine continues to grow in popularity throughout our society. As caregivers seeking alternative therapies we must carefully consider the potential benefits as well as the potential risks. Caregivers should thoroughly research all the aspects of shamanic practices focusing special attention on the individual shaman they choose to work with.
References:
http://www.shamanismtoday.com/shamanbooktocpf.html
http://www.doctorcarlos.com/newhtml/shamanic.html
--Pic1cathy 19:04, 19 September 2005 (UTC)
