What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is humanity’s oldest spiritual practice and healing tradition. Its ancient roots stretch way back in human history, with archaeological findings dating back to Palaeolithic times. For thousands of years, our ancestors used shamanic techniques to access the supernatural to retrieve wisdom and power for the purposes of healing. The shaman is considered by many to be the ancient predecessor of the modern doctor and psychotherapist. Although many associate shamanic practice with Native America or other “exotic” cultures, shamanism is, in fact, a worldwide phenomenon. Strikingly similar shamanic beliefs and practices have been observed in virtually every culture around the world, at some point in time. We all share a shamanic heritage and as human beings, we all have the ability to work shamanically.
Although, as our world started to modernize, shamanic practices began to fade away, they have been resurrected in recent decades. The first mentions of shamanism were made by anthropologists who traveled far to research the strange customs of foreign tribes around the world. More recently, however, shamanism has reclaimed its place in the Western world as a spiritual and therapeutic practice. This can be credited to Michael Harner, the first who brought shamanism out of the academic and anthropological world and into the practical sphere of therapy and healing. By noting the similarities of shamanic practice across cultures, Harner extracted a number of underlying core practices, and compiled them into a spiritual and therapeutic practice, which he titled “Core Shamanism”.
The best way to understand the principles of Core Shamanic practices is by understanding the basic role of the shaman. By definition, a shaman is a person who changes his or her state of consciousness at will, in order to journey to another reality, ‘a non-ordinary reality’, the world of the spirits, where they meets with their spirit helpers to ask for help, power, or knowledge for themselves and/or others. Mission accomplished, the shaman journeys back to ordinary reality where they use or dispense the newly gained knowledge and/or power.
The shaman’s contact with their spirit helpers and teachers is facilitated mostly though an alteration in the their state of consciousness. Different methods of inducing this state are found among different cultures. Hallucinogenic drugs, large amounts of alcohol, tobacco leaves used in a variety of forms, singing, dancing, blinking and even yawning – all have been, and still are, used as tools or aids to reach a shamanic state of consciousness. There is no doubt, however, that the drum and rattle are by far the most important vehicles of transportation to the non-ordinary reality which the shaman possesses. Used by shamans in virtually every society around the world, the drum has been referred to as ‘the shaman’s canoe’ or ‘the shaman’s horse’, and is the tool used today in the practice of Core Shamanism and shamanic counselling.
Although many refer to shamanism as a religion, it is better described as a spiritual practice. Shamanism is not a religion. It is free of any sets of doctrines or religious dogmas; it is not based upon a hierarchy of power; there are no specific buildings designed for worship; and nor are any acts of worship per se involved in shamanic practice. Likewise, the definitions of shamanism are focused on practices, rather than upon the existence of certain belief systems – the shaman is defined by their actions rather than by what they believe in.
Another important point to be considered is that the effectiveness of shamanic journeys is not dependent in any way on one’s belief system or religious faith. In fact, it is not even necessary to believe in the existence of spirits in order for the shamanic journey to take its powerful effect. Shamanic journeying can be successfully undertaken by everyone. Contemporary westerners lacking any traditional shamanic cultural background and education can and do successfully journey to the spirit world to seek healing and knowledge, very much like the shamans of old.
Core shamanism and shamanic counselling methods draw on both ancient traditions of shamanic healing and more modern therapeutic techniques, yet it is distinctly different from both. While in traditional shamanic cultures it is the shaman who usually journeys to the spirit world on behalf of the ill person, in Core Shamanic practices the emphasis is reversed. It is the person who is in need of help that does most of the journeying and shamanic work, directly contacting their spirit teachers. That is because the emphasis in Core Shamanic practices is on self-empowerment and self-healing. However, many aspects of the shaman’s traditional work are still alive in the practice of Core Shamanism. When a soul retrieval, power animal retrieval, certain healing or diagnostic work is necessary, the shaman or shamanic counsellor would perform a journey on behalf of the person seeking help.
However, the role of the shaman or shamanic counsellor is more that of a facilitator rather than a therapist, helping the person to come into direct contact with their own spirit helpers rather than indirectly via the shaman/counsellor. This is one of the most empowering elements of core shamanic counselling and also serves to filter out the assumptions and biases of the therapist (such as transference and countertransference) which may influence the therapeutic process. A great deal of the power of the shamanic counselling process lies in the fact that it frees the person from dependency on the therapist and directs them towards their own self-empowerment.
By journeying and coming into direct contact with our spirit teachers, we are able to transcend the boundaries of our Ego, judgments and resistance, and bring true wisdom and love back into our lives. This ancient practice that has survived for thousands of years throughout the world is by far one of the most effective and powerful healing technique ever to have been practiced in the history of humanity. The effectiveness of shamanic journeying is such that persisting or chronic problems are known to have been resolved within a matter of a few journeys.
What does the center offer?
- A variety of foundation and advanced courses in Core Shamanism:
- foundation weekend courses
- Residential and non-residential advanced trainings – shamanic counseling training, soul retrieval training, shamanism and relationships, shamanism and art, working with the spirits of nature and shamanic course on death and life.
- Individual sessions
- Introductory evenings and lectures
- Monthly drumming group meetings
All courses are currently led by Arvick Baghramian and are available throughout the world. For complete course descriptions, please click here. For further information on upcoming courses, trainings, events and group meetings, please contact us or visit current activities in Freedom Within Center.
Individual sessions with qualified shamanic counselors are available in Israel, UK, Spain and Hungary. For a complete list of Shamanic counselors throughout the world, please click here.
If you wish to experience Core Shamanism but cannot find a course or practitioner close to us, please contact us for a possibility of organizing a course close to you.
Courses
CLICK HERE to see which Shamanism courses are offered.
Drumming Groups
After having been on a course, some people find it difficult to continue walking on their shamanic path and keep up with their daily practice by themselves. For many, the drumming group is the ideal opportunity to meet up with others who are also learning, exploring and practicing shamanism in their daily life. The shamanic drumming group is like the tribal fire, the beating heart of the community, around which we all gather once a month to share our experience, work together and support one another. The drumming group in Israel meets once every two months in a different location. To join the drumming group in Israel, please contact us.
Articles & Research
The Magic of Shamanism - by Arvick Baghramian
Spirit Talk - A core shamanic newsletter, edited by Karen Kelly. Articles, debate and exchange of experiences from practice.
Sacred Hoop - Magazine of contemporary shamanism and spiritual teachings and practices of indigenous peoples.
Additional Information