What is Shamanism?

• Over tens of thousands of years, our ancient ancestors all over the world discovered how to maximize human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem-solving. The remarkable system of methods they developed is today known as "shamanism," a term that comes from a Siberian tribal word for its practitioners: "shaman" (pronounced SHAH-mahn). Shamans are a type of medicine man or woman especially distinguished by the use of journeys to hidden worlds otherwise mainly known through myth, dream, and near-death experiences. (Taken from the Foundation for Shamanic Practice.)
   

• Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice on earth. It is alive today in indigenous cultures around the world in its original form, and is rebirthing in non-tribal peoples who are awakening to their ancestral memories.

A primary principle of shamanic belief is that everything is alive and has a spirit. All of life is spiritually interconnected. Each of us are a bridge between ordinary reality, the world in which we live... and non-ordinary reality, the world of the unseen. By journeying to non-ordinary reality we interact directly with Helping Spirits for guidance and healing.

This practice returns our spiritual autonomy by allowing us to access Devine wisdom and guidance through direct revelation from the spirits.

(Thank you Melinda Abeles for this description.)