Does anyone really accept shaman teachings, and know there are things to be revealed?

Question

Hieromedius

Answer 1

I am a shaman-in-training of Celtic descent.  Specifically, I am a Welsh Faerie shaman-in-training.  (Yes, this means Siberians do not have a monopoly on shamanism, nor do Native Americans).   I have been in trianing for over 25 years, but didn't know it until roughly 13 years ago.  I don't know about things being "revealed", but I know that there are things that science are still unable to measure accurately, although I hope one day to be a part of some new, exciting discoveries about scientifically studying these thus-far unobservable phenomena.  

Not only am I a shaman-in-trianing, I am a psyc major, soon to achieve my B.A.  And then I will go on to pursue a master's in art therapy.  

It is my contention that the "first" shamans, the ancient forebears of our modern-day physicians, priests, psychologists, and physicists are indeed the first art therapists too.  :)

Answer 2

Sure. Shamans and their apprentices are not numerous in the western world where medical systems have rejected the spiritual aspect of medicine. But in the rest of the world, people are still accepting shaman teachings and know there are things to be revealed. Amidst our societies great effort to impede these practices (naming them blasphemy, witchcraft,...), the knowledge, power, and heritage of "traditional medical systems" still prevail. I hope that by learning from our mistakes (rejecting the idea of faith and spirit in medicine) we will return and encourage these practices once again.

Answer 3

Well, there's a difference between traditional shamanism found in indigenous cultures, and core shamanism or neoshamanism, which has been developed in postmodern societies, sometimes taking things from traditional forms of shamanism (for better or worse).

If you want to learn about traditional shamanism in any detail, your best bet is to study anthropology--many indigenous cultures are wary at best about giving that sort of information to people not of their tribe/group, and you won't find genuine material in the vast majority of the books that claim to sell "Native American spirituality".

Core shamanism was created by Michael Harner, who studied with a number of indigenous people and then took the techniques out of their cultural contexts, making it a bare-bones practical approach to shamanic work. It is NOT the original material, since it has been taken out of context.

Neoshamanism runs the gamut from being well-researched and honest about its modern roots, to being full of cultural appropriation and lies about its origins. Google the term "plastic shaman" and you'll see what I mean about the worst of it. Neoshamanism can be quite effective as a practice; just be aware of where it comes from.