Type of Method
• Nature Connection Practices
• Movement - Somatics - Embodied Practices
• Meditation - Spiritual Guidance
• Energy Work - Energy Healing
• Coaching - Transformation - Philosophy
Suitable for
• Parent / teacher / child care provider
• One to one, personal
• Groups, teams and organisations
Archaeological and anthropological evidence shows that shamanism can be traced back 30,000 years to paleolithic times and has since existed, in some form, in most if not every culture. It is still a live tradition and practise in many indigenous cultures that connects human culture with the local biosphere, and its technologies vary greatly from place to place, ecosystem to ecosystem, tribe to tribe.
The word ‘shaman’ originates from an Evenk (Siberian) word for shaman believed to translate as ‘someone who knows’ or who “sees in the dark”, which illustrates the practise and specific role a shaman plays: to know and ‘see’ things in a way others can’t, but need.
Shamanism arises out of animism – a belief or understanding that everything that exists in the physical world is imbued and alive with its own energy and innate intelligence: its life-force or spirit. The Shaman, having an intimate understanding of this interconnectedness and with direct experience and training, uses trance induced through drumming, rattling, song, breathwork, prayers and other tools, and then mediates between the world of energy and that of everyday, ‘ordinary’ reality. While in a trance state they are able to perform certain tasks that are believed to help keep in balance the visible and invisible, physical and etheric realms. Shamanism is therefore not a religion or dogma but a series of techniques – a technology – for consciously moving back and forth between realms and performing certain tasks in the energetic realms that affect change in the physical.
There has been a surge of interest in Shamanism in modern cultures, which may have had their indigenous traditions disrupted or forgotten. This renewed interest may be a revival of a local, indigenous, geographically-specific tradition, or an importation of tools and techniques from other geo-cultural areas and traditions. Shamanic Healing can therefore be seen as a modern healing technology, with deeply ancient roots.
When deployed for purposes of healing – the Shaman uses those same abilities to seek the underlying root of sickness, and treat the energetic and spiritual causes. The Shaman is able to enlist positive and willing allies and helpers from the spirit world to engage with the healing and dispel negative energies. Injuries and imbalances that lie behind physical symptoms can be ‘seen’ and negotiated with, and positively affected.
Shamanic insight and practise may also inform the methods and worldview of guides not specifically offering Shamanic Healing described above. At this time, the tragic disconnect from the world of nature is ever more apparent, especially to those working as guides and wayshowers in therapeutic or healing roles. The ancient understanding that nature, ecosystems and species have wisdom, intelligence, intention and healing powers – which can be conveyed and received in a two-way dialogue – no longer seems strange to many practitioners and may therefore be integrated in their practice in many subtle or overt ways. Many therapists, coaches and healers from a wide variety of modalities may invite ‘nature’ as a ‘co-facilitator’ in their practise, if the client is open to it.
If you are drawn to shamanism, shamanic healing or deeper nature connection practices you can ask any of the guides associated with this method how they frame their practise, how it can serve your needs and whether or not it corresponds to your worldview and beliefs. If you are a guide who wishes to comment on this explanation please contact methodmanager@daguidance.info
Guides using this Method
Zori Tomova
Purpose alignment coach, shamanic guide & Connection Playground founder
It is my purpose to create spaces of connection that bring out the most beautiful sides of our human …