What Is A Shaman?
Shamanism is a path. It's a journey to incorporate the mystical and spiritual beliefs and practices that have been passed down through generations of shamans into your own life path. This does't happen simply by reading a book or attending a seminar or retreat. The shaman of Peru receive a calling to this path. Many have been actually struck by lightening. Others have been called in their own unique way. When they accept the call, the agree to dedicate their life to years of study and initiations. It's only after years of dedication and application that they can finally claim the title of shaman.
We live in a society where titles and degrees can easily be bought without much dedication or study. You can't buy the title of shaman. I once attended a three day retreat where I received initiation and became a kultrune carrier. The kultrune is a sacred drum used by the Mapuchi shaman in Chile. One of the people who attended this retreat went home and started calling herself a shaman on her website. I had a discussion with her about this and her comment was that she paid a lot of money for the retreat and should come away with something. That kind of thinking is not healthy for her, and can be dangerous for others as well. It takes time, practice, and the guidance of an experienced shaman or shamanic practitioner, to learn and understand the basic beliefs, techniques, and practices of the shamanic path you are seeking. Practicing shamanic techniques without proper training and practice can harm everyone involved. You can think you are doing good, when you actually bring destructive energies into the situation.
I am studying a specific lineage of the Q'euro Shaman. There are apprenticeship programs available for this particular path. It requires dedication to one year of study - 5 weekends of intense study, practice, and initiations. A second year of study is offered if you felt lead to teach and/or practice the philosophies and techniques. I have found that the true learning comes when I leave the apprenticeship weekend and begin practicing and applying what I learned in my own life. That's where the dedication comes in. Are you a shaman if you complete this course of study? I wouldn't feel right calling myself a shaman at that point. I would call myself a shamanic practitioner. There is a big difference. I don't feel that a few years of study compares to the experience of the shaman in Peru who spend 10, 20, or even more years learning and living the path.
There are many different shamanic paths, and many teachers available. It's important to research the teachers and what and how they are teaching. Spirit leads you to this path, and Spirit will help you discern where you need to be and what you need to learn. Examine your motives carefully.
We live in a society where titles and degrees can easily be bought without much dedication or study. You can't buy the title of shaman. I once attended a three day retreat where I received initiation and became a kultrune carrier. The kultrune is a sacred drum used by the Mapuchi shaman in Chile. One of the people who attended this retreat went home and started calling herself a shaman on her website. I had a discussion with her about this and her comment was that she paid a lot of money for the retreat and should come away with something. That kind of thinking is not healthy for her, and can be dangerous for others as well. It takes time, practice, and the guidance of an experienced shaman or shamanic practitioner, to learn and understand the basic beliefs, techniques, and practices of the shamanic path you are seeking. Practicing shamanic techniques without proper training and practice can harm everyone involved. You can think you are doing good, when you actually bring destructive energies into the situation.
I am studying a specific lineage of the Q'euro Shaman. There are apprenticeship programs available for this particular path. It requires dedication to one year of study - 5 weekends of intense study, practice, and initiations. A second year of study is offered if you felt lead to teach and/or practice the philosophies and techniques. I have found that the true learning comes when I leave the apprenticeship weekend and begin practicing and applying what I learned in my own life. That's where the dedication comes in. Are you a shaman if you complete this course of study? I wouldn't feel right calling myself a shaman at that point. I would call myself a shamanic practitioner. There is a big difference. I don't feel that a few years of study compares to the experience of the shaman in Peru who spend 10, 20, or even more years learning and living the path.
There are many different shamanic paths, and many teachers available. It's important to research the teachers and what and how they are teaching. Spirit leads you to this path, and Spirit will help you discern where you need to be and what you need to learn. Examine your motives carefully.
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