Shamanic Journeying
Shamanic journeying is one of the primary tools of all shaman. The shaman goes into a state of altered consciousness by drumming, rattling, whistles, dancing, or plant medicine. While he is in this altered state, he travels to other worlds or realms to gain knowledge of a situation or condition.
There are three main worlds - the upper world (hanaq pacha), middle world (kay pacha), and lower world(ukhu pacha). These worlds are often symbolized as a tree. The roots are the lower world, the trunk is the middle world, and the branches are the upper world. This tree is called the world tree, and represents the connection between the shaman experiences. Each part of the tree is of equal importance. The roots anchor the tree and provide the nourishment the tree needs to grow and produce leaves, flowers, and fruit. The same is with the three worlds. The shaman needs to be grounded in the lower world and form a base that anchors him as he journeys to the middle and upper worlds. Each world is an aspect of our consciousness. To be a whole person, all of these aspects need to be integrated.
It is often advised that journeying to the lower world should be the first journey a person takes. This is where you meet your power animals and plant and mineral spirits, and spirit guides. Here you can gain great insights about your spiritual path, life questions, healing, and just about any question you may have.
The journey to the Lower World begins by finding your path downward into the Earth. Some people journey down the roots of a great tree and some use a volcano. There are many ways to travel to the Lower World, you just have to find the one that works for you. I use Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park. I saw this pool as a young child and remember thinking it must go to the center of the earth. I imagine jumping into this pool and spiraling downward. What I see while I spiral down changes with every journey. Sometimes its bright and happy, and other times its drab and melancholy. I leave myself open to experience what is given.
There are three main worlds - the upper world (hanaq pacha), middle world (kay pacha), and lower world(ukhu pacha). These worlds are often symbolized as a tree. The roots are the lower world, the trunk is the middle world, and the branches are the upper world. This tree is called the world tree, and represents the connection between the shaman experiences. Each part of the tree is of equal importance. The roots anchor the tree and provide the nourishment the tree needs to grow and produce leaves, flowers, and fruit. The same is with the three worlds. The shaman needs to be grounded in the lower world and form a base that anchors him as he journeys to the middle and upper worlds. Each world is an aspect of our consciousness. To be a whole person, all of these aspects need to be integrated.
It is often advised that journeying to the lower world should be the first journey a person takes. This is where you meet your power animals and plant and mineral spirits, and spirit guides. Here you can gain great insights about your spiritual path, life questions, healing, and just about any question you may have.
The journey to the Lower World begins by finding your path downward into the Earth. Some people journey down the roots of a great tree and some use a volcano. There are many ways to travel to the Lower World, you just have to find the one that works for you. I use Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park. I saw this pool as a young child and remember thinking it must go to the center of the earth. I imagine jumping into this pool and spiraling downward. What I see while I spiral down changes with every journey. Sometimes its bright and happy, and other times its drab and melancholy. I leave myself open to experience what is given.
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Once you find the pathway that works for you, you are ready to plan you journey. Determine your purpose for the journey. You could be going to meet your power animal(s) or spirit guides, to ask a question, or meet plant or mineral spirits. You begin your journey by altering your reality. Shamans use a variety of methods to shift their consciousness and enter non-ordinary reality. Drumming, rattling, dancing, and chanting are the most common. You can drum yourself, but most people find it easier to have someone else drum or find a good drumming CD or track on YouTube. I always create sacred space before I journey. I feel that it protects me while I'm in an altered state. I also like to drum for a while myself before I actually begin my journey. Then I like to lie down, cover my eyes, and put on headphones. I like the headphones because all other noise is blocked out and all I hear is the drum. Journeys can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more. I suggest a shorter journey at first just to get use to the process.
Once the drumming begins you begin your descent to the Lower World. When you arrive, what you see is personal to you. It could be a forest, a field, or a desert. Just be open, calm, and observe what's around you. When your time in the Lower World is over, the drum beat will change. There will be a pause, and then your will hear a series of 5 slower beats repeated several times. During this time you say thank you and farewell to anyone you met. Then the drum beat will speed up as you return back up same path you came down. Once the drumming stops, give yourself some time to contemplate your experience. You can then close your sacred space.
I keep a journal of all my shamanic journeys, ceremonies, meditations, and any insights I gain along the way. I always journal my shamanic journeys right after I close sacred space. It's too easy to forget details that might be important.
Contact Bonnie Aronson if you are interested in learning more about shamanic journeying. Private instruction is available.
Once the drumming begins you begin your descent to the Lower World. When you arrive, what you see is personal to you. It could be a forest, a field, or a desert. Just be open, calm, and observe what's around you. When your time in the Lower World is over, the drum beat will change. There will be a pause, and then your will hear a series of 5 slower beats repeated several times. During this time you say thank you and farewell to anyone you met. Then the drum beat will speed up as you return back up same path you came down. Once the drumming stops, give yourself some time to contemplate your experience. You can then close your sacred space.
I keep a journal of all my shamanic journeys, ceremonies, meditations, and any insights I gain along the way. I always journal my shamanic journeys right after I close sacred space. It's too easy to forget details that might be important.
Contact Bonnie Aronson if you are interested in learning more about shamanic journeying. Private instruction is available.
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