Shamanic journey

Shamanism is a very different type of belief because it manifests itself at individual levels, instead of a general expression. While there are some core elements, such as the techniques that aid the shamanic journey, the experience is unique and personalized. Because shamanism adopts the local nuances wherever it is practiced, it looks like it is different from place to place; actually the core beliefs and techniques remain the same, while the peripherals, like a cover, changes.

[edit] How The Shamanic Journey Is Induced?

The shamans require inducing a trance before starting on the journey. This is usually facilitated by the use of a musical instrument and entheogenic substances. The musical instrument is more often than not a shaman's drum, though others such as rattles, sticks, and local made drums also are used. The obsession with drumming here is due to the fact that at a certain frequency (about 100 to 120 Hz) the alpha region of the brain creates a dreamlike state; besides, it also creates a barrier that blocks all other noises out, facilitating the concentration of the shaman on his or her journey. A practiced shaman would look for the signals that the music (drumming) offers as the beginning of the journey and the recall from it are easily distinguishable to the experienced while undertaking their shamanic journey; this is something very much comparable to hypnosis where the induction and the coming back is often triggered by a sign.

[edit] The Journey Explained

This is no doubt one of the best shaman manifestations. Though this is not exactly an out of body experience, it can be said it is a highly comparable experience. Induced by the rhythmic sound of the shaman's drum, the journey is best when it has a definite goal. This is a very important aspect for the beginners in particular. The best here would be to seek your power animal or as it called in shamanism, the tiergeist as this is actually your guide in the journey at the beginning, as also when you are experienced and gather more than one such power animal. The tiergiest would be easily identified by its extreme friendliness towards you and its unusual talents. As you grow in experience, you might be able to identify more than one such power animal.

The best shaman journey would be helped along by using your mind to project the most vivid image of your starting point. You need to use all of your senses to 'project' yourself into that place; look around you, see the grass, the trees, feel the breeze, hear the rustle of the leaves and the song of the birds, touch it, hear it, smell it, see it. As the journey starts look for different planes to access such as waterfalls, tunnels, stairs, clouds, rainbows, and the like and let your feelings guide your direction. As you travel through your journey, you need to imagine your exit point from the plane you are in and navigate to the upper or lower shaman world. When you are finished exploring, remember to return at the exact spot you started the journey; this is very important.

At the end f the journey, allow the experience to sink in and be deciphered at its pace. Only you can interpret what you saw though you could get hints and opinions from others. This is often a difficulty in the beginning, but with time and right guidance, you would be able to understand and interpret your journey with ease.