Forgive me if I am incorrect, and I certainly would love to be corrected if I am, but while the Native Americans did not use the word 'shaman' to describe their priests or medicine men, their practices are strikingly similar to those of European shaman so much that the Europeans who immigrated to American, while definitely not condoning their behaviour, donned the name to them.
My father who claims to be a shaman, uses the word interchangeably to describe both his practises of European Shamanism and Native American beliefs, despite the fact that these things are different.
Although any self respecting full-blooded Native American would never describe himself as a shaman, but rather a medicine man. But I have heard the term to be applied to legitimate workings from people I know to be legitimate.
So the term is now used as blanket term rather than a description of an exact practise.
Please correct me if I am wrong, because the term has caused me confusion in the past, for a while I even thought the word described people who were Norse paganists as well ( though I now know that this is incorrect )
Your introduction to shamanism provides a strong foundational overview, highlighting its historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. Below, I offer additional insights and clarifications to refine and expand on certain concepts.
### **Shamanism: A Cross-Cultural Perspective**
Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual practices, transcending religious boundaries and geographic locations. While often linked to indigenous traditions, elements of shamanic practice can be found in cultures worldwide, from Siberian Tengrism to Amazonian ayahuasca rituals, and even in remnants of European folk traditions.
### **Initiation & The Shamanic Calling**
You accurately describe the initiation process, which often involves a transformative experience—sometimes a near-death event, an illness, or a profound emotional crisis. This serves as a "death and rebirth" process, fundamentally reshaping the individual’s perception of reality and their relationship with the unseen world.
However, in some cultures, shamanic initiation is not solely dependent on suffering. Many traditions also emphasize lineage, apprenticeship, and the direct calling from spirits. Some cultures, such as the Evenki of Siberia or the Q’ero of Peru, consider dreams and visions as clear signs of selection by the spirit world.
**Signs of a Shamanic Calling:**
The list provided includes many recognized indicators, but it is important to note that not all individuals who experience these traits are necessarily called to shamanism. Additionally, modern interpretations sometimes romanticize or overgeneralize these signs. A shamanic calling typically manifests through **recurring spiritual experiences, ancestral connections, or persistent summons from spirit guides**—not simply an affinity for nature or heightened empathy.
### **Roles & Responsibilities of a Shaman**
Your breakdown of shamanic duties aligns well with traditional beliefs, particularly the emphasis on maintaining harmony between the spiritual and physical worlds. However, there are additional aspects worth considering:
- **Psychopomp Work:** Shamans often serve as guides for the souls of the deceased, ensuring safe passage to the afterlife.
- **Soul Retrieval:** In many traditions, trauma or illness is believed to fragment the soul, and a shaman’s role is to retrieve these lost aspects.
- **Divination:** Using techniques such as scrying, casting bones, or trance states to receive guidance.
### **Shamanic Practices & Techniques**
You mention **altered states of consciousness**, which are crucial to shamanic practice. These states are often achieved through:
- **Drumming & Chanting:** Rhythmic drumming at 4-7 beats per second has been shown to induce trance states.
- **Plant Medicines:** Used in traditions such as Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies or Siberian fly agaric rituals.
- **Sensory Deprivation & Fasting:** Practiced in various traditions to heighten spiritual awareness.
### **Atheistic & Psychological Shamanism**
Your section on atheistic shamanism is an important addition, as modern shamanic practice is not always tied to a belief in deities or spirits. Psychological or secular shamanism focuses on:
- **Jungian Archetypes:** Interpreting spirit encounters as manifestations of the subconscious.
- **Ecopsychology:** Finding wisdom in nature without attributing consciousness to external entities.
- **Symbolic Healing:** Viewing rituals as powerful psychological tools rather than supernatural interactions.
Shamanism is a **vast and evolving** practice, with both traditional and modern interpretations. Whether viewed as a deeply spiritual path or a framework for personal transformation, its core principles—**connection, healing, and balance**—remain universal.
Your overview serves as an excellent reference, and with these additions, it can provide an even broader perspective on shamanic traditions.
Would you like further refinements or references for deeper study?
believe any further information would be of benefit to the community and I greatly appreciate your insights into the topic.
Particularly psycopomp and soul retrieval. Almost all of us will experience grief and loss of loved ones and those practices would be vital to the healing process and could definitely be approached from a spiritual and atheistic point of view. Atheism leaning into personal reflection and advancing the stages of grief to progress healing
