21st Century Shamanism By Jan Engels-Smith
Life is a journey of becoming. The goal of the journey is not in its destination; rather, it is the understanding and wisdom that emerges from the journey.
My hope is that as you read this article you fill with wonder and an interest in pursuing further learning and experiences in shamanism. Practicing and exploring the shamanic landscape offers everyone the opportunity to discover anew what we once knew, and to benefit from the wisdom that is still available to us. I have witnessed the transformation, vitalization, and growth of thousands of people, including myself, who have found healing, fulfillment, and joy in this journey.
What is Shamanism?
I get asked this question daily. Looking back in history, shamanism is an ancient tradition that dates back at least 40,000 years and was a part of most ancient indigenous cultures. It is a healing method based on the understanding that all experiences affect one’s soul; thus, all healing comes through the soul. Once the soul is healed, other healings can manifest in the physical, emotional, and mental bodies. I believe this perception of the mended and healthy soul that brings healing to all aspects of one’s being is truer than most people realize. We are a soul/spirit having a human experience. When we realize this and address the soul in healing, we will be healthier in our mind, body, and emotions.
What is a Shaman?
The Siberian definition of the word shaman is “someone who sees in the dark with his or her heart.” This is a loving expression of service. The shaman is dedicated to the cause of helping alleviate suffering in the world.
Some of you may have read about shamanic experiences in texts such as the Carlos Castaneda series of books. These books describe shamans in a particular way that differs from the view of 21st Century Shamanism. These books are more about the ancient mystical power of the shaman and less about the shaman as healer.
The history of shamanism has provided different accounts of the practice and diverse images of how the shaman exists in various cultures. All are powerful and speak to the needs of their contemporaneous civilization.
Following common protocol, you would never call yourself a shaman. It is a title given to you by your community after training, experience, and proven results are recognized and valued.
21st Century Shamanism
For many people, images of masks, grass skirts, painted faces, and witch doctor cures are conjured up when they consider the word shaman. Some of these images are historically accurate. However, there is now a 21st century version of a shaman, which I use as a model for my teachings. A significant consideration to this concept of contemporary shamanism is the current context of an emerging spiritualism which represents an essential answer to the seemingly hopeless and helpless situations that modern humans face in a world gone wrong. Shamanism offers a bridge from an imperfect world to a universe of perfection, where healing and a new beginning are possible.
The emerging modern 21st century shaman is required in a world in dire need of healing and in a culture that thirsts for a spiritual reconnection to our True Selves. Thus, I see shamanism as it relates to energy medicine as existing to help relieve suffering in the world, as well as a component of human enlightenment. One of the intentions that I personally carry is to consciously broadcast light and love into the world while experiencing joy. Light and joy are major healing elements, alleviating suffering in countless ways.
The Siberian characterization of a shaman as one who has a heart that yearns to be of service is full of implications for me. The 21st Century shaman believes in quality of life, happiness, and love; that everyone deserves the best possible life; to be healthy emotionally and physically; and that each person is a radiant being of light. Seeing into the dark means that shamanic journeys will often take us into unseen realms where there isn’t “light” to visually see with your eyes. Yet the heart guides us with such luminous radiance that it casts its own brilliance through the strong sense of love that emanates outward, bringing different realities into view.
The darkness and the heart play a significant and multilayered part in shamanic practice. When we are journeying, (a shamanic style of obtaining information from the unseen realms) if there is light in the room, we use eye covers to produce a condition of total darkness. Eliminating your “ordinary reality” senses and creating a totally dark environment allows you to descend deep inside of yourself, and you are able to access information from “non-ordinary reality” using all your senses.
Core Shamanism
Shamanism, as it is taught and practiced in 21st Century Shamanism, is not a doctrine or a tradition, but is grounded in the core concept of historical shamanism.
In the core practice of the 21st Century Shamanism we envision, we are asking you to develop your own personal relationships with your own personal spirit guides. You are not asked to follow a particular tradition or set of standards. You are setting your own standards as to what is important and meaningful to you, and your choices determine who appears in your journeys.
In modern shamanism, our reconnection to the past is for the purpose of personal empowerment. This new journey is about finding your own path, the one that works for you, while using some core concepts that are from indigenous cultures around the world. Modern shamanism owes a great debt to the past and sustains a strong connection to our ancestors, but is also deeply embedded in the present and accessible by all people who choose to follow the contemporary path. We do not abandon the current world and seek a return to the past, rather we draw on the wisdom of the past to help heal a present that has forgotten how to be at one with the universe, and has a need to restore a unified existence.
Historically, our culture has not endorsed the magic and the miracles of a personal connection to spirit. We have spent hundreds of years out of touch with our own divinity. Many humans have spent many lifetimes experiencing the hardships in life – betrayal, doubt, prejudice, abuse, unworthiness, inadequacy, hatred, and war. These lifetimes were not grounded in love, but in fear.
In the 21st Century, we understand the tools for healing are vast, all encompassing, and within reach of everyone. We are the creators of the future and our tools of creation are our thoughts and words. Each person plays a vital role in the creation of their life, their environment, and their world. Quantum physics has revealed that the simple act of observation has a tremendous impact on that which is being observed. As scientists attempted to observe matter at the sub-atomic level they discovered, to their initial surprise, that their observation itself altered and mutated the matter. Physicists have come to understand that existence itself is so highly interdependent that even the engagement of consciousness with external matter and force fields changes the nature of what they study.
The message from this for humankind is that we can truly create force fields of change by our very thoughts and intentions, we can alter the vibrations surrounding all of us, and the spiritual forces emanating from and to us are real and ever active. These understandings, combined with basic shamanic journey skills, have the capacity to empower individuals like never before.
Jan’s book, Through the Rabbit Hole: Explore and Experience the Shamanic Journey and Energy Medicine is a wonderful starter text to begin your journey into 21st Century Shamanism and energy medicine.