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The Heart Centre
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Shamanic Journeys (Closed)
theheartcentre
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Shamanic Journeys
Shamanic Journeys
For the Shamanic journeys one must already have a keen interest in Native traditions and ceremonies, as these journeys are part of that lore. Shamanism is found in many cultures and forms throughout the world and is not limited to the North America Indian cultures, although that was my main interest. I really didnt know what I was going to experience, how to journey, or what manner was correct. I just basically used what information I had read as a guide and coupled it with the existing techniques I had already explored. I recommend that you do these journeys with a partner using the same basic format as in a visualization journey and combine it with the information and knowledge you already have about Shamanism. I did my journeys with a partner (Jen) and I also did journeys with and for others. Ill briefly combine the experiences and techniques that are for both the Shaman and the Seeker the one for whom the journey is being done. The journeys were conducted as a joint journey but with the person acting as Shaman leading the journey. For me, they were all healing journeys as it involved recovering lost essence and power.
Wed do our journeys resting comfortably sitting in a chair, or sitting or lying on the floor. At times, as part of the ceremony we would smudge or burn candles, but that was not always the case. Before you begin this journey you will need to prepare yourself by going through the basics techniques of breath, grounding, relaxing, centering yourself, see Meditation for details.
Our intent this day is to connect with our guides and animal totems that are here to assist us in the soul retrieval of the seeker and to recover lost power and essence and to experience whatever serves our highest purpose. During this journey its OK to talk about what you are experiencing and to ask or answer questions and to express any emotions that you have come up during the journey.
The journey: Now, visualize a blue mist before you and allow yourself to move out from your place of centre and to slowly move into the mist. It might be blue or green or whatever other colour is appropriate. You may not see a mist and that is OK too, you may just sense or feel that you are in the mist or somewhere outside your physical body. You are about to begin your journey and when you return, you will come back to this place in the mist before returning to your body. (Short pause) Tell me when you feel you are in this mist, this space feeling safe and secure? (Pause) Waiting for a yes, Im in the mist.
After entering the blue mist, we would ask that the energies of the four directions and the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether to be with us. We also asked that the grandmothers and grandfathers be with us, as well as anyone else that was to assist us on this journey. We then asked that the right animal guides also come to us on our journey. Sometimes just the Shaman had the animal guides, other times it was both. Sometimes either one or both would also become the animal that would lead them through various experiences to the appropriate place, usually a cave or a dwelling where there was lost power and essence.
There was always someone guarding this essence, either a spirit, a demon or even a person known to the one seeking help. This guard would not give up their treasure and oft times even tried to barter or offer an exchange to stall for time. Usually the essence was stored in a secret place or kept hidden or locked up even in jars or containers. Sometimes there would literally be walls of containers containing lost essence or power of the seeker. Not talking no for answer, the power animals would soon convince the guard to release the essence or either the guard would flee, leaving the essence to be re-claimed. The animals would then gather it in ingenious ways to bring it back for the seeker, until it was all recovered, which sometimes meant looking again and again and asking if there was more that was still hidden.
Returning: The journey home would be a more cheerful one and when wed arrive, we would change out of the animal forms we had taken on and back into our own. The person acting as the Shaman, would then breath back the lost essence back into the seeker. This usually took the form of blowing several long breaths into the seekers back, usually the back of the neck, heart of lower back. This usually became a healing moment for the seeker and they would go into emotional and physical releases as this essence was returned. When all the essence was returned, the journey was over and we would thank all the grandmothers and grandfathers, and those who were there either holding space for the journey or assisting on the journey. After we finished the ceremony, we would then continue with the regular returning technique, but beginning part way through with.
Now, bring back all your power and essence pertaining to the Earth plane and this physical body in the here and now. (Short pause) Now slowly leave the mist and return to your physical body, to your place of centre in the middle of your head, between your ears and eyes, the place where you began your journey, resting comfortable, secure and at peace. (Short pause) Now slowly allow yourself to begin to feel your consciousness returning to your physical body. Begin to move your fingers and toes and to slowly move your neck and head. (Short pause) Take a few slow, deep breaths and when youre ready, begin to move the rest of your body, your shoulders, arms, and feet. (Short pause) Youre now fully conscious and aware of everything that happened to you on your journey that you need to remember at this time. (Short pause) When you are ready, you can slowly open your eyes.
Integrating: Stay in your seated or reclined position for a few minutes and reflect on your experience and the feeling in your body. If you had a friend guiding you, then after a few moments you can share your experience with them, or if you keep a diary or journal you can write your experiences. As previously mentioned, it is desirable to express your emotions as youre feeling and experiencing them, but if you become emotional after your journey, then allow the emotions to move and express them as you can. Also express yourself to express your fear of expressing or any other fears that may come up.
As you can see, doing Shamanic journeys has a lot of similarities with the work weve already done and discussed. We conducted a few Shamanic journeys to recover lost power and essence, but later found that doing inner or outer child work was more effective, but it was a useful tool to get us to the next step.22/Jun/2003, 8:21 pm Send Email to theheartcentre Send PM to theheartcentre
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