Working on My Book
Finding My Psychic Way
There is some channeling in this article. I put it in a bold italic font.
I broke through 60k words yesterday on my book with 21 chapters. I’m into the mopping-up action and trying to flesh out the chapters to about 3,500 words each. One of the chapters that sits at 1,900 words now is about Shamanism and Spirit Animals.
My experience with Shamanism is spotty at best. I’ve read a few books, as I figure many of you have done too. Why I assume that I’m not sure, other than I know. I wonder if they experience that in Shamanism — the knowingness of things.
So, though I read it years ago, I cracked open my copy of The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner. It is an experiential scholarly work, so it runs dry at times. But it is a good one, and although he has passed on, Michael Harner was a Shaman.
He mentioned that you can learn how to be a Shaman by reading books. He said it is difficult, but it is possible. Yesterday, I spent a little time investigating the online classes his foundation offers. Evidently, all sorts of people take them: psychotherapists, medical folks, all sorts of people. You can also earn continuing education credits. With their organization and guidance, you can become a Shaman. I did not see what it cost. If this is where I’m supposed to be, then the cost won’t matter, and I will find a way.
Michael mentioned that you might become a Shaman without ever meeting one, although the book was written in 1980, and things are different now than they were then. There are two people I know personally, though we have not spoken on the subject. Possibly more, as I suspect there might be many in the Medium fold. Please put your hand up if you are.
I awakened this morning talking to a Shaman. It’s always interesting to have those little morning chats with somebody in spirit before I get out of bed. I mentioned that I didn’t think I could be a Shaman because I could not sit cross-legged on the floor for the life of me, or if I were to lie down on the ground, there was no way I would be able to get up without help. He told me there were lots of Shamans who were old and were not able to do the things younger ones could do. He told me that Shamans, just like anybody else in the world practice their work throughout their lives, just like anybody else.
I was thinking about what I do know of Shamanism, and many people would invoke the use of hallucinogens to attain the SSC or Shamanic state of consciousness. I can’t do that. Anymore, anyway.
I move from OSC, what Michael refers to as Ordinary states of consciousness, to seeing, speaking to, and hearing from my folk in Spirit. Sometimes I can feel them. Many times, I ask them for a hug, and I am comforted. Sometimes, I can feel them rubbing my back. Every time, it moves me to tears. I don’t spend a lot of time getting to that place. I am there as easily as I can get up and answer the phone or see who is knocking on my door. That might be what he is talking about with a Shamanic state of consciousness. I just don’t know.
The use of a drumming meditation, starting slow and then moving into fast drumming, is the catalyst to move you into a Shamanic journey. Just find a hole outside while meditating using the astral traveling technique to get out there, and you are gone. There is more to it than that, but basically, you travel down into the earth via a tunnel. My way was lit, and I could see the walls of the tunnel, rough, cut from the dirt. It was like I was on a waterslide, except it was bumpy. You go with a question in mind. You go to meet a Shaman or your spirit animal. The drumming is just drumming and then it makes your heart race. It deepens and matches your body rhythm. That slide down the tunnel? It is a mighty swoosh.
I can see now, too, in my mind. I didn’t when I first learned to channel. It was tough. The books all said to imagine or to visualize. I just couldn’t do that. Eventually, with a lot of practice, I did get to the point where I could see in my mind.
The things I see are quick. They move. It is the movement that draws my attention. I’ve got my usual psychic symbols that we use, but it’s not a huge system like other psychics have. It is enough for me. I’m sure we could discover some more to do. Somebody just showed me feet and an armpit. I’m not sure where that one is going, though I do need to wash my hair today. They’re laughing. I saw happy faces. Yeah, I guess I will take a shower today. Hint…hint.
This part is from somebody in Spirit. I’ve put it in bold italics.
The word is pretend, Dear. If you were to pretend, which children know how to do and adults sometimes forget or consider it to be childish. Pretend you are a great golfer. Pretend that you can easily pay the rent. Pretend that you are a writer. Pretend that you are a Shaman. Pretend you know how to dance. Pretend, first, that you are healthy, and if the pretending is strong enough, then you will begin to do the things necessary to have those visions come to life.
There is a plane, actually, where pretend lives. It is a little higher than you are, which is why many people look up when they are thinking of what they wish to do. Take a deep breath and pretend there are muffins on the kitchen counter, that your chapter is the 3,500 words you wish it to be, and that you might just be a Shaman after all.
Our blessings.
Thanks for reading.
The Links The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner — Link at Amazon Foundation for Shamanic Studies founded by Michael Harner Pure Shamanic Drum Journey — Deep Trance Meditation — YouTube Fast Shaman Medicine Drum; 45 Min. Shamanic Journey — YouTube