| What Is Shamanism? Shaman (pronounced SHAW-maan) is a word from the language of the Tungas people of Siberia. A shaman is a man or woman who enters an altered state of consciousness at will. The shaman does this to contact and utilize an ordinarily hidden reality to acquire knowledge, power and to help others. The shaman usually has at least one or more spirits in his or her service. The trance or "ecstatic" state of consciousness the shaman enters can be termed as the shamanistic state of consciousness or SSC. The shaman does not enter this state for play, but only for serious purposes. The shaman must also know the basic methods of accomplishing the work in the SSC before entering such a state. For example, if the shaman wishes to recover a patient's guardian animal, he must know the techniques for reaching the lowerworld, entering it, finding the spirit animal and bringing back safely. He must also know what instructions to give the patient in the ordinary state of consciousness (OSC). The shaman is an accomplished seer who works in the dark, or at least with the eyes covered, in order to see clearly. For this reason, the shaman usually engages in such practices at night. Some kind of shamanistic seeing can be done with the eyes open, but that kind of perception is usually less profound. In darkness, the distractions of ordinary reality are less, making it possible for the shaman to concentrate on aspects of non-ordinary reality essential for the shaman's work. The SSC must also be entered with the assistance of drumming, singing, dancing, and the use of rattles. Shamanistic Enlightenment is the literal ability to lighten the darkness and see what others cannot perceive. |
