Being Shaman

No spirits, no shaman.

(Rasmus Ludvigsen, Danish shaman)​​​

WHEN TO SEE A SHAMAN?

Life always presents us with challenges and problems for which no one seems to know the answer. And although all resources seem to have been exhausted, we still cannot come to terms with our situation. ​

In such situations, shamans appear as mediators to mobilize the help of the more-than-human world: that of the spirits.​​

The spirits are the manifestations of the divine in all its forms, colors, and shades. Christians speak of angels and powers. Buddhists speak of devas and nature spirits. Shamanic traditions simply refer to them as spirits.

ABOUT SHAMANIC WORK AND SPIRITS

Shamans are trained to put themselves into the shamanic state of consciousness. By rattling, drumming, whistling, toning, singing and dancing, they call the spirits who they ask for help on their shamanic journeys.

Shamans have no influence on the help provided by the spirits. The expertise lies with the spirits, not with the shaman. The spirits help us by giving us what we need, not what we want. Help can come in many forms: information, advice, guidance, advice, guidance, strength, initiation, etc.

The spirits are playing with us. Their intentions are unfathomable. If we ask them for help, they may solve our problem for us, or transform our problem, or transform us so that we can live well with our problem.

​Shamanism is anything but escapism. It is always about bringing the help received on the shamanic journey into everyday life and anchoring it there. It's always about becoming more deeply human.

ABOUT SCANDINAVIAN SHAMANISM

Scandinavian shamanism is non-dualistic shamanism. In this respect he does not distinguish between good and evil, but between sacred and profane. More metaphorically speaking, it sees darkness simply as the absence of light. Like people, it understands the spirits to be fundamentally good at their core. As a being characterized by the desire to feel joy and to teach.

At the heart of shamanic work is a relationship with the spirits based on respect, trust and affection. The Scandinavian shaman himself never works with his own energy, but rather the spirits work with their energy in the space that the shaman's observing consciousness holds for them.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

​

Shamanism is not safe.

Shamanism brings about growth and change.

Growth and change are never safe.

Growth and change are almost never what you imagine. ​

​​Anyone who is afraid of growth and change,

who wants to be on the safe side,

should refrain from shamanic work.​