The other day when I returned from the gym I noticed my cat Zinnia's head was severely distorted.
The Word Shaman and the Work : Use and Mis-use, a prologue...
The Word Shaman and the Work: Use and mis-use... a prologue
This is a contentious topic in some circles and I tread here with some hesitation. But I am asked about this a lot and so I like to approach it with respect for all of us and our many different perspectives, backgrounds and understandings as well as respect for both the benefits and failings of language and the varied cultures from which this all arises.
There have always been medicine people in every culture we know of. The names given to these people befitted the culture and conveyed among their people what was needed. In present time, all over the world we still have medicine people who are now often called by the singular term shaman, especially by those outside the specific culture.
(Art: “White Hummingbird” in memory of great southwestern artist Frank Howell who featured beautiful images of original peoples and their great dignity. www.frankhowell.art)
The core of shamanism: the helping spirits
Shamanism is based on the ability of someone to go into an altered state, form reciprocal relationships with beings of spirit, and gain guidance about how to embody greater balance in life and the best ways to maintain that balance, either for self or other. It is also a way to provide a conduit for the helping spirits to effect direct healing either personally or within the collective by moving energies in the direction of harmony. This is somewhat simplistic.. but will do for now.