Rev. Esther Jenkins

What is Shamanism?

The word "shaman" in the original Tungus language refers to a person who makes journeys to nonordinary reality in an altered state of consciousness. Although the term is from Siberia, the practice of shamanism existed on all inhabited continents.
After years of extensive research, Mircea Eliade, in his book, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, concluded that shamanism underlays all the other spiritual traditions on the planet, and that the most distinctive feature of shamanism––but by no means the only one––was the journey to other worlds in an altered state of consciousness.
Shamans are often called "see-ers" (seers), or "people who know" in their tribal languages, because they are involved in a system of knowledge based on firsthand experience. Shamanism is not a belief system. It's based on personal experiments conducted to heal, to get information, or do other things.” ––Michael Harner

The Shaman's path can teach us much. Shamanism can offer us access to the realms of non-ordinary reality that are mostly ignored in our culture. By interacting with power animals and spiritual teachers, we can get questions answered, problems solved, and healing received for ourselves and others.

Imagination is the process of clothing our thoughts and perceptions with images. This much maligned process is essential to seeing into other realities.
Shamanic work teaches us how to validate our inner visions and expand our awareness. Heightening these abilities allows the shamanic apprentice to journey into the dreamtime, track energy, and connect with allies and guides. We often here people talk about “taking their power,” but what does that mean?

I can only share my experiences over the past 40 years. For me it was the moment I realized I was in charge of my feelings––that I had choices about how I would react to people and events around me. The shamanic process had helped me to get in touch with my inner wisdom and how to speak with an inner authority, because I learned who I was in the larger scheme of life.

The School for the Shamanic Arts is presenting a series of workshops that will prepare you to enter the Shaman's world, to explore and experience an alternative reality. Join us in January for Crystal Remote Viewing, and in February for the Introduction to Shamanism. In future months, we will be presenting Celtic and African Shamanism, Egyptian and Kabalistic Mysteries.

December 2001

Shamanism, Imagination & Empowerment

by Rev. Esther Miriam Jenkins