article: What is shamanism
by Rebecca Singer
What is Shamanism? The word is currently in vogue, and you may have heard of shamanic dance, shamanic singing or even the new brand of Shamanic chocolate! The basis of shamanism however, has to do with an ancient tradition of leaving this realm of reality and traveling to The Spirit World to gain information on behalf of an individual or group that needs healing.
Traditionally, shamanism in Siberia, which is one of the places where this practice was historically first documented, was practiced by women. The men carved the healing totems that individuals were directed to wear as part of their healing. Each village had its shaman, who was considered “the village doctor.”
The world of the shaman is intimately connected with the world of sound. This is because every living thing is, at its core, energy. And energy is vibration, which creates sound. This means that you have sounds that are unique to you, and that sound affects you. It also means that sounds can be healing to you. A shaman will often include singing as part of healing work.
Shamanism assumes that beyond this level of awareness is another layer of spiritual beings who not only influence our individual lives, but the collective consciousness as well. A shaman is someone who, either through lineage, or initiation, has learned to travel and communicate in this Spirit World and bring back useful information.
Another tenant of Shamanism is the belief that all life forms are sacred, and that all life forms are infused with spirit. From this come the more well known practices of finding one’s animal spirits or guides. A shaman is usually very aware of what animal guides are of help in the journey to the realm of spirit.
As with any practice, Shaman in different parts of the world use various methods to travel and discern what the spirits have to say. In some cultures, plant medicines are used. In others, vodka. Other traditions use no external stimulus to send the shaman into a trance-like state, but instead use drumming and sound.
I began seeing and hearing the Spirit World as a child. My first teacher, part Lakota, helped me to learn how to travel to the World of Spirit intentionally, and how to get back! As well, she taught me to use my drums, crystals, rocks, and voice for healing. I then lived in Costa Rica for five years and received guidance from the Shaman there, and finally I traveled twice to Mongolia to visit and then live with The Reindeer People. There I exchanged experiences with another woman shaman from the original lineage in Siberia.
Every form of life is energy, and has a healthy matrix within which energy flows. When someone comes to me for shamanic healing, I ask permission to see their energy flow. With my hands near them, I sense the energetic flow in their body. I also receive information about their ancestry, and see points in this lifetime where their energy is blocked. Often the core reason makes itself known. I share what I see with them, and then explain how we can work together to begin the healing process. If they have come for a specific purpose, I focus on that. Some people come because they feel separate from their soul. Others because they have no sense of life purpose, or chronic illness, or grief, or do not know what is next for them, or because some aspect of life is very difficult. I usually work with my drum and voice to ask for more information, and then explain how we can work in a way they can integrate to provide an opening for healing.
I often also sing people their own sounds, so they may hear them and know them. As well, I offer practical advice, practices to strengthen the healing process and suggest an ongoing path. It is important to know that shaman from different traditions work in very different ways. My ancestors came from Russia on both sides, and I feel very close to elements of Siberian Shamanism. However, I also feel a very soulful connection to the Lakota lessons I was taught over 13 years, and I combine the two.
You are on this earth to become the fullest, most complete version of yourself. Your path is yours, not anyone else’s and your soul knows your path. It may be reflected in the culture, or it may be a unique path that you forge for yourself. I am happy to help you clarify how to become who you came here to be.
It is time to wake up! Life goes by quickly, and sometimes we have to learn to speak up, or stand up, or take a leap of faith to get through what life has presented to us. I am happy to be of support.
In the end, you are your own best healer. But a shaman can be a great help in integrating information, setting you on your path, or helping you go inside, quiet your mind, and listen to more profound knowledge within you.
To see details on Rebecca's private shamanic sessions and readings at Crystal Essence click here.
To learn about Rebecca's course Siberian Shamanism and the Medicine Wheel click here
What is Shamanism? The word is currently in vogue, and you may have heard of shamanic dance, shamanic singing or even the new brand of Shamanic chocolate! The basis of shamanism however, has to do with an ancient tradition of leaving this realm of reality and traveling to The Spirit World to gain information on behalf of an individual or group that needs healing.
Traditionally, shamanism in Siberia, which is one of the places where this practice was historically first documented, was practiced by women. The men carved the healing totems that individuals were directed to wear as part of their healing. Each village had its shaman, who was considered “the village doctor.”
The world of the shaman is intimately connected with the world of sound. This is because every living thing is, at its core, energy. And energy is vibration, which creates sound. This means that you have sounds that are unique to you, and that sound affects you. It also means that sounds can be healing to you. A shaman will often include singing as part of healing work.
Shamanism assumes that beyond this level of awareness is another layer of spiritual beings who not only influence our individual lives, but the collective consciousness as well. A shaman is someone who, either through lineage, or initiation, has learned to travel and communicate in this Spirit World and bring back useful information.
Another tenant of Shamanism is the belief that all life forms are sacred, and that all life forms are infused with spirit. From this come the more well known practices of finding one’s animal spirits or guides. A shaman is usually very aware of what animal guides are of help in the journey to the realm of spirit.
As with any practice, Shaman in different parts of the world use various methods to travel and discern what the spirits have to say. In some cultures, plant medicines are used. In others, vodka. Other traditions use no external stimulus to send the shaman into a trance-like state, but instead use drumming and sound.
I began seeing and hearing the Spirit World as a child. My first teacher, part Lakota, helped me to learn how to travel to the World of Spirit intentionally, and how to get back! As well, she taught me to use my drums, crystals, rocks, and voice for healing. I then lived in Costa Rica for five years and received guidance from the Shaman there, and finally I traveled twice to Mongolia to visit and then live with The Reindeer People. There I exchanged experiences with another woman shaman from the original lineage in Siberia.
Every form of life is energy, and has a healthy matrix within which energy flows. When someone comes to me for shamanic healing, I ask permission to see their energy flow. With my hands near them, I sense the energetic flow in their body. I also receive information about their ancestry, and see points in this lifetime where their energy is blocked. Often the core reason makes itself known. I share what I see with them, and then explain how we can work together to begin the healing process. If they have come for a specific purpose, I focus on that. Some people come because they feel separate from their soul. Others because they have no sense of life purpose, or chronic illness, or grief, or do not know what is next for them, or because some aspect of life is very difficult. I usually work with my drum and voice to ask for more information, and then explain how we can work in a way they can integrate to provide an opening for healing.
I often also sing people their own sounds, so they may hear them and know them. As well, I offer practical advice, practices to strengthen the healing process and suggest an ongoing path. It is important to know that shaman from different traditions work in very different ways. My ancestors came from Russia on both sides, and I feel very close to elements of Siberian Shamanism. However, I also feel a very soulful connection to the Lakota lessons I was taught over 13 years, and I combine the two.
You are on this earth to become the fullest, most complete version of yourself. Your path is yours, not anyone else’s and your soul knows your path. It may be reflected in the culture, or it may be a unique path that you forge for yourself. I am happy to help you clarify how to become who you came here to be.
It is time to wake up! Life goes by quickly, and sometimes we have to learn to speak up, or stand up, or take a leap of faith to get through what life has presented to us. I am happy to be of support.
In the end, you are your own best healer. But a shaman can be a great help in integrating information, setting you on your path, or helping you go inside, quiet your mind, and listen to more profound knowledge within you.
To see details on Rebecca's private shamanic sessions and readings at Crystal Essence click here.
To learn about Rebecca's course Siberian Shamanism and the Medicine Wheel click here
