Shamanism is a powerful means for learning first hand the oneness and sacredness of all things. Each journey is a merging into that oneness of the universe, a union with timeless wisdom and compassion ... you are no longer separated from that wisdom...
(David Corbin and Nan Moss)

Classic Tool: The Shamanic Journey

The shamanic journey is an old and simple technique for having a direct experience of Mystery, by whatever name(s) you call that, to get healing or knowledge. Journeying is universal: it existed on every continent for more than 40,000 years.

An altered state of consciousness makes the journey possible. The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, like Carlos Castaneda, calls where we go in this altered state non-ordinary reality (NOR). This ability to journey is not limited to shamans: most people can achieve it with practice. The Foundation for Shamanic Studies teaches that the real "teachers" and healers are in non-ordinary reality, not ordinary reality, and being able to tap into that wisdom and healing is invaluable.

This altered state can be achieved by several methods: the predominant vehicle has historically been the drum, along with singing and dancing. The drum is the ancient tool of the shaman and acts as a horse or canoe to transport the shamanic traveler on the journey to the spirit worlds and back to this realm. Drumming opens the door to the trance state: scientists have shown that a steady, monotonous drum beat of 205 to 220 beats per minute induces a theta trance state in the human brain.

Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire that knowledge, ... it is necessary to step through the shaman's doorway and acquire empirical evidence. (Dr. Michael Harner, Foundation for Shamanic Studies)

What You'll Experience

Some people have a great, deep journey the first time, some don't get very far, some can't turn off the mind chatter, and some are profoundly transformed; most people fall somewhere in between. The only way to find out is to give it a try. Step through the shaman's doorway and see for yourself if this technique feels right for you.

Journey Sessions in the Washington, D.C. Area

A journey group that follows the Foundation for Shamanic Studies' general approach meets twice a month at beautiful Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 3215 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland. $5 donation is appreciated. If you don't know how to journey, you must contact Tyrtle in advance. Free brief introduction to journeying is available for beginners and experienced journeyers new to our group. To get started,

      -- first, read the free two-page factsheet, Shamanic Journey: Basic Method;
      -- next, read the free one-page factsheet on the Shamanic Journey Group at PBUUC;
      -- then contact Tyrtle.

Those who already know how to journey may find the following free fact sheets helpful in addition to those just mentioned:

      -- Journey Checklist (pdf print version; 5 pages)
      -- FAQ About Shamanic Journey Realms and Helping Spirits (pdf print version; 2 pages)
      -- Journeying on Your Own (pdf print version; 1 page)
      -- Recommended Journey Topic Ideas (pdf print version; 2 pages)
      -- Shamanic Terms, Principles, and Methods (pdf print version; 1 page)

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To schedule an experiential workshop for your group or to find out about workshops in the Washington, D.C. area, contact Tyrtle.

To learn more about shamanism in general, see Links and Resources.

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