As a shaman, how do you believe human beings came into existence? Why do you believe yours is the best explanation of human origins?
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Well, actually, I am not in the least bit hampered by man-made environments, as I consider them to be just as "natural" as any other place.
Shamanism, being a method and not a set series of beliefs, has no required answer answer to this. I can offer a few insights into my personal beliefs though.As a shaman, how do you believe human beings came into existence? Why do you believe yours is the best explanation of human origins?
You can summon all your shaman powers, and still not make me hate you...You will hate me for this, but you will have to decide this on your own.
Tradition says the spirit world(s) are the "dreaming" of the natural world. Separate, but inseparable. Shamanism accepts the internal stimulus - mind, imagination, and dream - as just as real, and valid as the waking, natural world. The type of reality is very different however. It is something that has to be experienced to be truly understood; it cannot be explained easily.
That is why paradox is often used to convey spiritual wisdom (a zen koan for example); the paradox contains wisdom, it doesn't explain it. You must explore the paradox deeply with your own mind, and hopefully you will have a better understanding afterwards. And so I offer the answer: the Spirit World(s) are simultaneously realms of human consciousness, of pure imagination, and of reality.
This mirrors in physical form what also happens in spiritual form; the individual soul is a portion, independent but inseparable from, of the great universal essence.
I don't have any "special" explanation for human origins. I consider that to be the domain of science, more specifically evolutionary biology.As a shaman, how do you believe human beings came into existence? Why do you believe yours is the best explanation of human origins?
This is a perfect, concise wording for a concept I often have trouble explaining. Thank you.Besides, the difference between us and other life forms is one of degrees, not of essences.
I can kind of guess at them from your previous response, but I want to be sure I understand: Do you believe a human ceases to exist at death? If not, what do you believe happens to their soul/spirit when they die?
Once again, just for emphasis, these are my personal beliefs. I came to them because of my experience with the shamanic method; another shaman may hold completely different ideas.
To be expected, I suppose, as both birds and reptiles have a common ancestor among the dinosaurs.BTW, rattlesnake tastes exactly like chicken, only much chewier. It's not just one of the "Tastes like chicken" jokes. It's completely true...
Hmmm. Now how do we go about testing this hypothesis.....
Triceratops probably tasted like chicken too.
Would that technically be considered tri-tip?Triceratops probably tasted like chicken too.
To my amazement, my response would be pretty much the same as sbvera's, even though I'm not really familiar with the Hawaiian tradition: I believe that most of the traits we use to define and construct our individual identity in this life are pretty much mortal: memories, habits, emotional responses to specific stimuli, social status, family ties - as a matter of fact, all of that can pretty much be lost even while you're still alive. Just think of Alzheimer patients, or people suffering from total amnesia.Thank you for your quick response to my first post. This leads me to another couple of questions. I can kind of guess at them from your previous response, but I want to be sure I understand: Do you believe a human ceases to exist at death? If not, what do you believe happens to their soul/spirit when they die?
I'd consider that a dionysian trance, following in the footsteps of the Maenads.For the OP, what do you make of the idea of "letting go", essentially allowing the more primal parts of yourself to take over function of your body with you retaining just enough control to jerk back into the driver's seat if necessary. What would you consider that?
I understand that there is much diversity within shamanism, and you can only give me your take. That's fine with me.Thank you for the lucid explanation and example.
I am also wondering about how (or if) you come to some kind of understanding of morals/ethics through this discipline (and if not through this discipline, how in general). Are people generally good or bad, and is there such a thing as a moral wrong (like what others might call "sin")? If there is such a thing, are there consequences?
Well, I'm as eclectic as it gets; and yes, shamanism is a shared heritage of mankind, and features/featured prominently in pretty much every culture at some point in (pre-)history.Is shamanism even a "religion"? Its seem to me to be a component of many different archaic religions.
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Perhaps shaman is to archaic religions as priest is to contemporary religions.
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So, assuming that makes sense, to the shamans here: do you set your shamanic practice within a particular faith tradition?
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Would that technically be considered tri-tip?
Not something that I am personally familiar with. It sounds extremely similar to voluntary spirit possession. A skilled shaman with strong ties to certain spirits will invite that spirit into their body in order to give the spirit greater access to the physical. To conduct a healing ceremony on someone, for example, a particular spirit may need use of the shaman's hands. If the spirit is, to use an example, the spirit of a badger, the shaman can appear to become very bestial, snorting, growling, walking on all fours, etc, while he channels the animal spirit. Not all shamans can do this (some simply don't have the temperament to let go of themselves that much and remain healthy), but it's a component of many different traditions. That's the closest shamanic tradition I'm aware of that relates to what you asked. The second part of your question in particular, of jerking back to the drivers seat, describes exactly the shaman's role in this ritual.For the OP, what do you make of the idea of "letting go", essentially allowing the more primal parts of yourself to take over function of your body with you retaining just enough control to jerk back into the driver's seat if necessary. What would you consider that?
Allow me to offer some advice, but take it with a grain of salt since this is not a trance aspect I'm capable of and thus my advice does not come firsthand. Firstly, make sure your ties with your spirit guide for that journey are very strong. You must respect and trust your spirit enough to guide you; give them the task of leading you on this journey, they will be much better at it then you. State your intentions clearly to them before you let go.(and one that I'd definitely try, if I was familiar with the techniques that keep you "in reach of the driver's seat")
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