| Shamanism for today Most of us today seem lost in a culture of materialism, totally out of touch with the natural world, the inner world of the heart and soul, and the invisible world of unseen forces, if we believe in them at all. And, one of the weaknesses of the Western mind is the idea that something is, either, right or wrong, black or white, true or false. This dualistic mind does not take into account the great mysteries that cannot be known with the analysis of the left brain, but only known from the heart. What of the unseen world? “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” says the scripture verse. We tend to only believe what we can see and touch and smell and prove with scientific method. What of dreams? What of the subconscious mind? What of light and shadow within each of us? What of unseen spiritual forces all around us? Do we even believe in anything outside of our materialistic technological scientific world? A few of us today are lucky enough to come across healers, who wear the costume of therapist or doctor or counselor or homeopath , who truly embrace what it means to be a Shaman. Consider Maria Elena Cairo of Paradise Valley, Arizona, a modern day Shaman living amongst us. We as modern healers and shamans perform roles in society that echo ancient history. Sandra Ingerman in her book , Shaman Journeying, says, “Shamanism is the earliest spiritual practice known to humankind, dating back tens of thousands of years………..Shamans have taken on many roles in tribal communities, They have acted as healers, doctors, priests, psychotherapists, mystics, and storytellers.” And such are many of us, doctors, therapists…………healers. Modern Healers that we find who embrace the ageless Shamanistic traditions, have the ability to help us see our real selves, to unveil the masks we wear, to find the authentic self. This is where deep healing takes place. “A good Shaman is one who sees past or through this dream like matrix and helps us see our real potential and Higher Selves. In doing so, healing is just an effect.”¹ Shamanistic healers today, whether born into the tradition, as the famous Shamans in Mexico, or who have years of training and experience in the medical and healing arts, all have methods and rituals to stay clear and connected to the Divine self, the True self. They then become channels of Healing for us, to also access our own Truth. And the real Magic, the essence of Shamanism, is being a transparent vessel, connected to the Divine, facilitating deepest healing with a heart of compassion and loving-kindness from beyond the stars. Dr Lance Hering 602 418 6307 1. http://www.ultrashaman.com/shamanis.html |
