Healers Psychics Mediums Spiritualists Essay Example

informs the ill person

of their fate to become a Shaman. There is usually hesitation on the part of the chosen one, but

the suffering breaks down the will of that person. In the end, the destined assumes the role as

Shaman, and his suffering diminishes. With the guidance of an elder Shaman, or sometimes just

their spirit guild, the new shaman is initiated into their new existence. It is a existence between

this earthy realm, and that of the dead.

An initiate of Shamanism goes through an significant transformation. As a result of the

suffering, and rigorous training, the initiate experiences the death of his ego. In western

psychology, the ego is the part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality,

through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs actions (Websters

434). This death is a way of cleansing the Shamans psyche, and allowing the id to take over.

According to the Websters definition, the id is the part of the psyche that is regarded as the

reservoir for instinctual drives, the source of psychic energy, and irrational wishing (Websters

669). This would make sense because the Shaman taps into the instinctual knowledge, and the

psychic energy. This death is also significant because with this death of the ego all the societal

norms that inhibit the powers of the Shaman are gone as well. The Shaman does dwell on the

fringes of society because society tends to diminish a shamans connection to the life force

which is so vital to their power.

To be a Shaman requires an awareness of nature that is rarely found in our modern

society today. Nature is where a Shamans power comes from. A Shaman is immersed in the

natural world; avoiding the more

civilized aspect of society. To be disconnected from nature,

is to be disconnected from their source of power. Modern civilizations have moved away from

nature, and have replaced it with science and technology. One of the shortcomings of our society

today is that we are so seized by our daily routines that we have lost touch with the simple joys

of living on this planet. Instead of sitting outside, and enjoying nature most people in the United

States simply watch television. Therefore modern society contradicts the earthly realm of the

Shaman.

Modern science and technology has an objective; which is to improve, and ultimately

defeat nature. Nature is viewed as the enemy. This is where the contradiction between civilized

society, and the Shaman resides. Modern society fears death, and tries to defy it with the help of

medical technology. Modern science has created an artificial world which relies little on nature,

and more on materialistic vices. In the eyes of a Shaman, modern societies are sick with false

harmony. A Shaman turns away from materialism for it seems trite, and inappropriate to them

(Kalweit 242). A Shaman is knows death, and is comfortable with it. They would be horrified to

walk into a typical hospital in the United States, and see a person being kept alive by machines. I

think it would seem most cruel to a Shaman. Other interesting contradiction is modern societys

fixation on time. Here in the United States we all follow schedules based on time of day, and

have obsessions with past, present, and future events. A Shaman, on the other hand, transcends

both time, and space; their world is without the concept of continuous time. So it would seems

that the Shamans world, and that of modern society have

very little in common.

Although a Shaman could not flourish in modern societies like the United States, there

would be lost spirits that could use some guidance. I believe there are many people living in the

United States that have a growing feeling of emptiness. With all the modern conveniences, they

still are unhappy, even depressed. I think a Shaman could help some of these people. A Shaman

could prescribe the simple, but necessary medicine to heal their sick souls. These people need to

feel the connection with nature, and all things. To feel apart of something that they had lost, and

to take their place in this unity of life.

In the United States today, life can be so overwhelming, and chaotic. In order to survive

in this modern society, we must conform to its standards. These standards restrict, and deprive

us in many ways. We must work in order to be self sustained, and our reward is money. Most

people seem content with this because their goal in life is to be wealthy, and to be wealthy is to

have a collection of material possessions. They exist solely in an external world disconnected

from a Shamans reality, and the unity of all things.

The most tragic realities of modern society is the disregard for wildlife. A Shaman shares

their world with animals, and their spirits; gains much power from them. Animal spirits seem to

take a very important role in the Shamans journeys. Here in the United States, I cant drive

anywhere without seeing a dead animal on the side of the road. They have decreasing refuge

because of modern development, and soon they will be driven out of existence just like the

Shaman appears to be. After all animals are needed

to maintain a balance within the life force.

They are apart of us all, and would most likely affect our human psyche in a very negative way if

they were to ceased to exist.

The Shaman seems to be a relic of past times in most modern societies today.

Representing the primitive past from which modern science, and technology has saved us from.

Has it really saved us? I think that science, and technology will most likely be the down fall of

humanity. I think were all fools if we look at the Shaman, and see just a relic of the past. I look

at what a Shaman is, and see a wiseman. Someone who might just be hope for an ailing world.

It would be very beneficial for most everyone to experience a little of the Shamans world, and

to be exposed to a sense of belonging in the life force of nature. Maybe then we could

experience true harmony.

Kalweit, Holger. Dreamtime & Inner Space: The World of the Shaman. Boston & London:

Shambhala, 1988..

Websters New World College Dictionary. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1997.