Shamanic course in Austria - what is shamanism

What is shamanism? / What is a shaman?

What is Shamanism?

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind. We know from the archaeological evidence that shamanism was practiced all over the world for at least 40,000 years. However many anthropologists believe that the practice dates back over 100,000 years.

Shamanism has been practiced in parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, Greenland, and Native North and South America. Basically all over the world.

Therefore we can call it Shamanisms, rather than one homogenous Shamanism.

 

Shamanism is not a religion. It does not have no dogma, no organization, no sacred book, and no recognized leader nor does it have a single founder. While people of many religions practice shamanism (Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, and Jews,…) not all shamans are members of an organized religion.

 

Shamanism is a way of living, which enables us to connect to nature and the whole creation. We unite Shamanism and Yoga in our centre. Due to the combination of those two teachings we foster a deep reboot.

What is a Shaman?

The word shaman originates in the Tungus tribe in Siberia and means “one who sees in the dark”.

Today the term is coined my anthropologists and is used to describe spiritual and ceremonial leaders of indigenous peoples all over the world.

Objectively spoken a shaman is a man or woman, who interacts directly with spirits (souls) to address the spiritual aspects of illness, perform soul retrievals, divine information, help the spirits of deceased people cross over, and perform a variety of ceremonies for the community.

In our shamanism course you can get to the bottom of those practices. Further you learn how you can use them for yourself and others.

 

Shaman or shamanic practitioner?

Today it is difficult to divide between traditional forms of shamanism and modernized practices. Categorically people from the west, who work with shamanic methods, are called shamanic practitioner.

The term shaman describes a human, who works with shamanic techniques AND who occupies an important and centering function in a community. Shamans have taken on many roles in tribes. They have acted as healers, doctors, priests, psychotherapists, mystics and storytellers.

Who “only” uses shamanic methods but is not integrated as a shaman in a community is in the proper meaning of the word a shamanic practitioner.

Essentially it is not important how you call yourself. It is important what you do!

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