Shamanism - is it for you?

Ask yourself the following :

Do you enjoy your regular income job or at least the security it offers?

Do you enjoy your current standing in your community?

Is stability an important by-word in your life?

Would you come out of your comfort zone each and every day to confront the unknown?

Answered 'YES' to one or more, then forget about being on a shamanic path because you will lose all the above and more if you try it. I have seen people lose their partners, jobs, children, friends and a whole raft of other things because they thought it would be 'cool' to be a shaman. Well, it is 'cool' if you don't expect to know what the next second will bring. I can honestly say that if I had been given the choice I would have chosen a 'normal' life. However, polio and other life threatening things plus a father, grandfather, and great grandfather who were shamans kind of sealed my fate. I fought it for a long time until I realised I was pushing against the river.

Now, I had no choice but what about you? Ask yourself really seriously why you would want to live half in this world and half somewhere else - are you 'billy no-mates', or just misunderstood? You could just go and join a drumming circle or do some chanting in a long dead language, that way you at least meet like minded people. Whereas, a true shamanic calling is very very lonely and totally outside of any sort of comfort zone you could imagine - I know.

Here is a true account, not someone I know but someone I saw go through some of this.

A well known presenter who often tooks risks decided to go into the jungle to live with a remote tribe in order to experience shamanism first hand. It wasn't long before he became disorientated and totally fearful, fearful for his life. His handycam diary showed the panic clearly on his face, the terror of what he was doing and his convinction that he would die and no-one would find him. He didn't die however, but it did make a profound change to his sense of reality; something he was only aware of once he was back in the 'civilised' world. The change was so powerful it still affects him to this day.

Remember that the next time you book your two day break of drumming, chanting and meditating on eagles. I'm sure you wont feel what he felt but hey, at least you have the certificate.

Shamanism is a hard mistress and once you walk the path you must find a way to serve; your allies and your tribe. Once the change takes place you have to find a new niche in the 'real' world in which you can help those who become 'your people'. I know some who became nurses, therapists or healers, others who went into law or community work. Whatever, the drive to serve will be dominant within you.

Shamans are not here to make a difference to the world, only to a small group of people that surround them and the price they personally pay is out of relation to the task. Being a shaman doesn't take you out of society, it puts you squarely in it and says 'go do something useful'. A shaman without a tribe to look after is just a nutcase in a nightmare.

Put you off yet? One can only hope so; but if you are just plain stubborn or driven by the demons of inner space then welcome aboard. Go find a real shaman and apprentice to them (if they will have you) and I'll see you 'in-between'.