Steps to Beginning Your Shamanic Journey

The beginning of shamanic learning, journeying and teaching takes planning.  Most individuals plan a vacation.  A shamanic journey is traveling into the spirit world.  Shamanic training takes  planning and forethought.  Most of all, it takes a commitment to healing and helping.

1 - Have a true commitment in your heart and mind to living the life of a shaman.  Shaman's find it difficult to live in the common world filled with commercialism and sensationalism.  Therefore, a commitment to the values and belief's of shaman is a prerequisite.

2 - Select a continues 2-4 day period when you can be free of phone, computer, television, family and guest interruptions.  Select a particular time to begin the shamanic journey.

3 - Select a diet that is free of preservatives, alcohol, and drugs.  Consult your physician before beginning any dietary program.  Some individuals prefer fasting others prefer high protein-low carb and others prefer the opposite.  Whatever your body tells you is the correct nutrition plan for you.

4 - Select an area in your home, a room or a corner in a room and dedicate that to your shamanic journey.  Clean the area before beginning your quest.  You may want to burn incense or sage and pray for cleanings of energy in that area.  Select a rock that you can hold and touch.  Rocks represent the elders of time.  It does not have to be an expensive rock or crystal, just a rock.  Do not allow anyone else to touch or hold the rock.  In time, it will provide greater assistance in your shamanic journeying.

5 - Select comfortable, non ornamental clothing, that keeps the body at a comfortable temperature.

6 - Purification or cleansing of the body is equally important.  At the time you have selected to begin your shamanic experience, bath, put on the clothing you have selected, burn the sage or incense again, pray or meditate for guidance and begin your travel into the realm of spirit. 

Shamanic journeying opens the spirit to many sensation or feelings.  Do not be surprised if you experience powerful lucid dreaming as a result of shamanic practice. 

After your initial journey schedule daily if possible and if not, weekly or monthly periods of an hour or two to remain in contact with your experience.

It is advisable to repeat steps 1 thru 6 above on a quarterly basis.  The full moon is a powerful time.  If possible schedule your shamanic awakenings with the lunar cycles.  As you mature in your shamanic experiences you will notice that the visions, and spirit communication become more powerful, more meaningful and more useful to those who need your understanding and wisdom.

Remember, shamanism is not about you, it is about your ability to assist others.  Practicing shamanism for egoistical purposes will result in failure. 

Tools, techniques and instructions for Shamanic Journeying