Did you ever want to be a shaman? Are you a shaman?

You know that someone isn’t a shaman “for real” because there are no real shamans.

I was Wiccan, which in many circles (heh, circles) has some sort of connection. I attended “Shamanic drumming” classes and did “Shamanic guided meditation” so you can say I was around the Shamanic subculture back when it was the Next Big Thing.

And here’s what I think. I think the term is misused. What I saw in these places were people going for their own self-enrichment and spiritual growth. These are not wrong things to want by any means, but I wouldn’t call them Shamanism. I would call them New Age, perhaps, or neo-Paganism, and some of them seemed almost like Yoga. But all of them centered on the Self, and that’s not what I think Shamanism is about. The way we live today, we don’t have the same cultural matrix that spawned a Shaman in the first place.

Back in the day, when we moved around in tribes, and we didn’t have the kind of science knowledge we have today, and you didn’t know if the reindeer were going to run, the world must have seemed filled with mysterious forces. The way I understand it, the Shaman’s job was to visit the spirit world and intercede on the behalf of the tribe, or to bring back something (some knowledge, some healing, etc) of value to the tribe; to be, in essence, the one the tribe counts on, to be the parent/caretaker/custodian/wisdom of the tribe. It was not necessarily something that was done for ones’ own growth, it was something one might have been called to do for the larger group, almost in a self-sacrificing way.

We don’t have tribes anymore, not really. Not in the same way. And while we do have spiritual leaders, and spiritual seekers, it’s not the same thing it used to be. And these people that went to Shamanic Drumming Class were there to get visions and wisdom to grow themselves – they weren’t there to bring it back for the good of anyone else, not even an ersatz tribe.

In short, “Shamanism” (imho) has become the trendy thing to call oneself as a spiritual seeker, especially one who uses the methods and symbols copy-catted from more earth-based native spirituality without performing the function. And like I said, there’s nothing wrong with being a spiritual seeker or leader, just weird and trendy to call it “Shamanism.”

A shaman just is. I think a person could learn a great deal about becoming one. If you are one you just are. As you mature you recognize certain abilities and you can be mentored by another shaman. I do not know if a non shaman can recognize a shaman, belief is necessary. Belief that all things good are possible is comfortable and just is.
Yes, I have a knowing and can help people and ainimals. The ability comes through me from a good power (God or his creations ). It is not my power. Three other shamans and a spiritual person have told me I am a shaman. I am a receiver and can receive messages and often read solutions if invited to do so.
I do not practice in a commercial way ever and I do not stay “tuned in ”. I believe a shaman is a person who taps the collective good ( God’s total creation ) for a good result in the case of an ill. Ceremony is not necessary if a respectful mood is present. Although I always say a prayer first. If you have a curiousity you should read all you can about it and meet some holy people and shamans.
I do think that @laureth has a good point in that there is much confusion with the terms. That is why I do not call myself anything. I just have a knowing and can send and receive beyond the normal if someone asks.

Yes, Shamen, Guru, Sage, Enlightened being.

I think one can be assisted by attending an Ashram or other spiritual retreats and talks, but, enlightenment, shamanism, whatever terminology floats your boat is a very sacred and personal rite of passage, not something than can be taught, only pointed to.

I agree with @MaryW

The truly awakened and gifted attach no labels to their ministrations.

I’m tired of people appropriating the term shaman. Examine all the great mysteries of the world all you want, but let’s stop using the word ‘shaman’ unless you’re actually one of the steppe-dwelling people from whom the term comes.

It’s very interesting to see all the perspectives of what people believe a Shaman is. Thank you all.

A “course” in shamanism? You might take a “course” in shamanism if you are working on a master’s degree in comparative religion, but that’s not how you become a shaman. You become a shaman by undergoing your initiation, entering the spirit world, encountering your spirit guide, and (hopefully) surviving your ordeal.

How did this knowledge of Shamanism come to you @submariner?

Having been involved in various kinds of paganism for most of my 20s and early 30s, my understanding of it is that a shaman is one who communicates with the spirit world on behalf of his (or her) community. The term originated with Lapplanders, but came to be used for cultures all over the world.

I don’t think studying books and formal courses is the way to become a true shaman. I think one would have to live with the tribe and, if one displayed natural talent for it, one would then be sponsored and taught by the existing shaman from childhood.

@wundayatta , I am a little surprised by your interest in shamanism. As @laureth pointed out, the New Age use of the term is inappropriate. As for the original intent, with all due respect to primitive religions, I think we have moved away from thinking of the world in terms of good and evil spirits. I view Carlos Cateneda as just another cult figure.

I plan on rolling a shaman as soon as the goblin race comes out with Wow’s cata expansion.
Arguably, they are one of the strongest classes. ^_^

So yes, I do want to be a shaman.
no offense.

I know an awesome shaman and I so love him, with his soft speech…...

I’d love it.

@LostInParadise I hhave an interest in a lot of things. I believe people experienced things that they might have called the other world or something. I don’t believe there is any external world correlate of those experiences, but I do believe they had experiences.

I have a number of experiences that I am sure occur inside my head. They affect the way I see things. Perceive things. I’m interested in other people’s experiences because I don’t know what to make of these experiences. I think it’s how my brain works. It can bring together a lot of different ideas when working on problems. It allows me to make good guesses, I think. But it feels like I have no idea where it comes from even though I know how it happens.

So I’m curious as to what other people have experienced or what they know.

Our minds are truly wondrous things. There is definitely a lot of activity that goes on beyond our consciousness. For example, you try to remember the name of something. You struggle with it for a while and then it pops in your head as if from nowhere. Where did that come from? Lots of times I will be working on a problem at work and get stuck on it; then while driving home and not thinking about the problem, the solution suddenly comes to me. How could that possibly be? There is so much that we do not know, but I rule out the possibility of spirits whispering to me as being non-productive.

@LostInParadise – Our brain circuitry is some of the most complex wiring to come out of nature. And as we know, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ;)

as if we understand what nature truly is