Shamanism: The Way of Our Ancestors

by Kate Durda

Our ancient ancestors lived a life close to nature.  Across cultures, around the world, they lived in very similar ways even though they had little to no contact with each other.  Their ways of living and healing we have now come to call “Shamanism” from the Tungus (Siberian) word ’saman.’ Our ancestors believed that all created things - humans, plants, animals, etc. have an intelligent communicative life force, spirit, or energy.  Their beliefs usually led them to live a life in harmony and balance with their environment, particularly when compared with contemporary western society. 

Shamanism is the oldest known spiritual practice, with evidence of shamanic cultures over 40,000 years old, and is still practiced today!  For example, in the former U.S.S.R, in many remote regions, traveling shamans are still the only source for healing, as there are no hospitals, visiting doctors, etc.

How is it that this ancient system still is of such value to us today?  Shamanism is not dogma, with old rituals, beliefs, and formulas holding sway.  Shamanism is a spiritual practice and system of healing and personal instruction based on partnerships with helping spirits.  The Shaman was and is able to access whatever information is of use for the problem or need at hand. It is important to note that the Shaman does not ‘do’ the healing; the practitioner acts as the ‘hollow bone,’ clearing the ego and allowing divine healing energy to do its work.

Over time, our ancestors developed this remarkable system of methods to maximize human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem solving.  More than a healing practice, it was their way of life.  Arguably, the key practice was the journey to the hidden world of energy, or source.  Modern day physicists and scientists refer to it as the “Universal Field” of energy, or the “Quantum Field” of energy. 

The shamanic journey is accessible to everyone.  While not all of us are or desire to be healers, through the practice of journeying you can foster self-healing and empowerment, enhance creativity, achieve inner peace, live in balance and harmony, and deepen your connections to others and to the natural world. 

It is no coincidence that at one time shamanism was practiced around the world, as this way of life is as natural as breathing - it is our birth right, fostering the development and heightening of our natural physical, psychological, spiritual abilities and very being!  Everyone one of us has an indigenous ancestral shamanic heritage, of which many of us have lost track.  There is much of value that we can re-learn from our ancestral lineages!  Shamanism is the root of our ancestral tree!

Kate Durda, M.A., and Stephanie Tighe, MSW, are co-founders of  Spirit Weavers www.SpiritWeavers.net, an organization that is committed to fostering spiritual community, and to increasing the understanding of and access to shamanism as a spiritual practice and healing modality.  They reside in the Lansing area, but frequently travel for teaching and healing work.  They can be reached at SpiritWeaver@voyager.net or at (517) 543 6754.  (see  ad “Healing & Spirituality” in this issue of HGJ)