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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 36
(2/22/04 3:43 pm)
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Shamanism - a different twist
Modern Shamanism
by Serge Kahili King
"You look more modern than I thought you'd be," said the visitor as we sat in my comfortable living room overlooking the ocean that surrounds the island of Kaua'i. He glanced at my large screen TV, the VCR, and the Tabora seascape on the wall with a faint trace of disapproval. Clearly I did not fit his model of what a shaman is supposed to look like.
His remark was typical of many visitors who expect - perhaps even hope - to find me wearing some kind of robe or sarong and living in primitive simplicity in a cave or a forest far away from the amenities of civilization. The general idea is that such a setting would somehow make me more authentic. I have even considered finding such a spot, having a ti-leaf skirt and cloak made, and giving all my visitors a nice show that would comfortably fit their preconceptions. Shamanism, however, is not limited to a particular location or style of dress or cultural environment. It is a way of thinking and acting that defies boundaries and limitations of any kind, and yet uses them when it fits a purpose.
In the old and ancient days the shaman - who was a healer of mind, body and circumstances - was right in the midst of tribal or village life. He or she might also play the part of priest/priestess or chief/cheifess if there were no one else to fill those roles, but the primary role was always that of the healer. The shaman took part in the work, play and cultural activities of the village and often used each of those for healing purposes, especially the cultural activities of art, song, dance and ritual. In some cultures the shaman wore distinctive clothing and only engaged in certain activities, while in others it was impossible to tell him or her apart from anyone else unless you were family, friend or acquaintance. When the shaman's services were called upon there was always appropriate compensation in goods or services of some kind, according to the local economic structure. In old Hawaii, for instance, those who made use of the shaman's healing abilities might in return give fruits and vegetables, livestock, tools, mats and/or clothing. Or they might give their services of fishing, farming, handcrafting or cleaning for a certain period. The important point is that the shaman was a part of the community, sharing its life and hopes and dreams and proximity. Isolation of the shaman from the community occured only in times of religious or political repression, and even then there were always links maintained with a few members of the community.
Now shamanism is experiencing a revival of interest and freedom. Now the shaman is coming back into the community where he/she belongs in a viable, vital, visible way. It isn't necessarily any easier now, but it is extremely important that the new shamans who are remembering and reviving the ancient skills become fully a part of today's society, become modern shamans in every sense of the word.
A modern shaman (or "urban" shaman, as I often say) is one who uses the ancient knowledge in the context of our present social and cultural environment. I will frequently tell my apprentices that anyone can be a shaman in the woods (where there are no people to get in the way); the tough task is to be a shaman in the city. And yet the shaman belongs where the people are. That does not mean the modern shaman must live downtown or in a crowded barrio, or in a fast-growing suburb, but it does mean that he or she integrate with and be accessible to those who are to be helped. The tough task of being a modern shaman is made tougher by the fact that shamanism has only recently begun its revival, and it does not have a strong basis of support in today's culture. In the absence of such support, shamans need to help each other. The success of modern shamans, then, will depend on adaptability, integration, and cooperation.
Shaman knowledge has to do with an awareness of, and the ability to direct, the powers of mind and the forces of nature. Adapting the ancient wisdom to modern society is a fairly simple process because human beings still have the same desires for health, wealth and happiness, and the same emotions of love, anger and fear. And Nature still has the same basic elements of (to use the Hawaiian version) Fire, Water, Wind and Stone. The shaman's healing work is still, as it always has been, to change beliefs and expectations in order to change experience. The wisdom and its application are the same, only the context is different. An ancient shaman in the deep forest of a volcanic island using his hands to heal a wound from a wild boar and a modern shaman in a high-rise apartment building using her hands to heal a wound from a domestic cat use the same wisdom. An ancient shaman diverting a lava flow to save a village and a modern shaman calming the wind to keep a forest fire from burning a suburb use the same wisdom. The shaman skills of telepathy, energy release, manifesting, shape-changing, blessing, belief-change and inner journeying are not affected by time. All that has to be done is to adapt them to existing circumstances.
Integration is more difficult in today's society because of its variety and complexity. Most ancient shamans only had one or very few socio-cultural systems to deal with, and therefore a limited number of beliefs to work on. Today, however, there is such a vast mixture of radically different social, cultural, religious and philosophical systems that the modern shaman must constantly expand his or her knowledge and maintain an exceptional awareness of the prevailing beliefs of his or her community and its individuals through heightened development of the intuitive faculties, as well as by paying close attention to information supplied by the media.
More than ever, there is the need for cooperation among modern shamans in order to maintain and extend the wisdom, to give each other moral and practical support (even shamans need friends and helpers), and to broaden the application of shamanism to modern problems. My solution has been to form Aloha International, a world-wide network of people studying and practicing the Hawaiian shamanic tradition, but there also needs to be cooperation among the shamans of different traditions. It is truly cooperation that is needed, because shamanism is truly a non-hierarchical, democratic philosophy. There is a tremendous amount of healing work to do, on ourselves and for the world in general. Let us do it together in a spirit of real Aloha.
Copyright 2002 Aloha International
Serge allows all of his articles to be posted as long as he is credited.
Aloha International www.huna.org
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earthnann
Posts: 6
(3/23/04 9:43 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Interesting read. I cannot comprehend how it would be possible to be shaman without frequent down time away from humans and in a natural setting to recharge and reconnect. How can this writer work with "the forces of nature", as he says, if he is always in an urban setting surrounded by many people and far away from nature? I'm very interested in understanding how an "urban shaman" would find balance in such a scenario.
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 42
(3/24/04 12:30 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Personally, when I can't get away to re-connect.. I simply find peace in my mind and connect with whatever I need at the time. It would be such a shame to feel you can't connect with a tree if you can't find one near you. There is ALWAYS one in your mind..
Also.. time is relative... when trained to need less downtime, as you say, or when trained to find other ways to re-charge, one can have an incredibly fulfilling Shamanic life!!
All good things,
Sky
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earthnann
Posts: 28
(3/24/04 3:53 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Thank you for responding.
"Shaman knowledge has to do with an awareness of, and the ability to direct, the powers of mind and the forces of nature."
This sentence disturbs me in part because it does not include "connection to" nature. To me, that is vital. I am not familiar with "urban shaman". The fact that more and more people are losing their connection to the earth and inhabitants other than themselves is of great concern. I am wondering if those who call themselves "urban shaman" are working toward addressing this issue or merely working around it.
Anybody can connect with a tree in their mind - are you aware of/familiar with what work is being done by "urban shaman" in reference to creating/utilizing/maintaining urban green space and its inhabitants, or are they all just focused on people?
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 44
(3/24/04 4:18 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
“I am not familiar with "urban shaman".
Why don't you go to Serge's web site and "judge" for yourself if he meets your standards.
www.huna.org
I can only speak for myself, but I view the path of the Urban Shaman as pragmatic. Not everyone has the luxury to drop out of society and/or dedicate themselves to one cause or another. A true Shaman works with what they have and understands in doing so they are serving the larger picture. Just as not everyone can walk one path, not every Shaman has the same tools.. To assume by reading one article trying to explain Shamanism (which in truth has as many meanings as people using the term) that they don’t do what you feel is vital is, in my opinion, a bit presumptuous.
In my belief structure, if I focus on tree energy, any tree in the area benefits from it. However, how I spend my charity dollar or how I spend my time of giving is a personal choice. If you choose to spend your time “creating/utilizing/maintaining urban green space and its inhabitants” while I might spend my time with AIDs babies… both are serving the whole..
I think it is far more important to do what you “can” rather than do nothing because you “can’t” do what others expect a “shaman” to do…
All good things,
Sky
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earthnann
Posts: 29
(3/24/04 5:55 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Thank you. I have no “standards” for urban shaman; the article you posted is my first exposure to the term; hence my questions. My apologies if you took my comments for criticism. They were not so intended. My experience of shaman on a planetary scale includes none that would not consider connection to earth an integral component, which is why I am asking. I did not mean to be “presumptuous”; I was stating my belief. I would add that it is also my personal belief that a connection to nature is vital for all humans, shaman or not.
My question again (and I understand you may not know or it may be too broad) is whether or not those who call themselves "urban shaman" are concerned only with humans. Could we perhaps start over and consider this a dialog twixt a country dweller and a city dweller? Maybe consider it an exercise in "cooperation" as stated in the article you posted? Thank you for your patience.
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shadeaux63
Keeper of the Stars
Posts: 429
(3/24/04 6:35 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
I think I understand where you're coming from,earthnann.I was a bit confused by a lot of things like that for a long time,and I do mean a LOOOONG time.
No matter where you are,you can connect with the Earth using energy,even in a high rise building,the same way you can send energy using Reiki, to heal someone miles away.Yes,sometimes we all need that physical contact with Mother Earth.We need it just as much as we need the air we breathe.But if we're stuck in an urban setting,maybe we can only get one day a week where we can actually get out somewhere where we can touch the ground,hug a tree,lift our arms to the sky and feel alive and one with this planet that is our home.But,every time you use the energy you have to help any living thing,you are helping the planet in some small way,simply because we are all connected,to each other,as well as to the Earth.
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 45
(3/24/04 4:01 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
If a connection with nature is intrinsic with Shamanism.. why would you assume an Urban Shaman to be different?
All good things,
Sky
P.S. Would LOVE to share more about Huna Shamanism with you if your interested...
Edited by: skymrnlit at: 3/24/04 4:21 pm
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earthnann
Posts: 30
(3/24/04 7:40 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Shadeaux - Yes. Thank you. And quite frankly, even though I live in the country, sometimes one day a week out in nature is hard to manage.
Sky - The article you posted appeared to be an explanation of “urban shaman” and, while it described the similarities and differences in terms of his definition of contemporary shamanism, it mentioned no connection to nature and limited its description of healing to humans. It mentioned nature only in terms of use and did not mention giving back. It limited its description of environment to cultural. I agree with the point the article made about shaman being a part of the community, and the point about it being tough to work in an urban setting. I was surprised to see absolutely no focus on connection to or healing work with organic environment and life forms other than human. And thanks for the offer; I will read whatever you care to share.
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 46
(3/24/04 8:04 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Again... I’m confused by assumption that some aspect ISN’T there rather than it IS… Especially with a section in the article that read
“The shaman's healing work is still, as it always has been, to change beliefs and expectations in order to change experience. The wisdom and its application are the same, only the context is different. An ancient shaman in the deep forest of a volcanic island using his hands to heal a wound from a wild boar and a modern shaman in a high-rise apartment building using her hands to heal a wound from a domestic cat use the same wisdom. An ancient shaman diverting a lava flow to save a village and a modern shaman calming the wind to keep a forest fire from burning a suburb use the same wisdom. The shaman skills of telepathy, energy release, manifesting, shape-changing, blessing, belief-change and inner journeying are not affected by time. All that has to be done is to adapt them to existing circumstances.”
I don’t believe the author meant the article to be a definitive of all aspects of all forms of Shamanism. Although I can’t speak for him, I think the purpose of the article was to show and explain that even if we live in a skyscraper, we can still walk a shaman path.. and ALL that includes.
All good things,
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Astara1 
The Golden Angel and Protector of the shadows
Posts: 189
(3/25/04 6:54 am)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
I have read "Urban Shaman". I think it's an excellent book. In my understanding, he is saying that you can be a Shaman even if you are living in an urban area, and is teaching how one can connect to the forces of nature no matter where you are. After all, everything is energy, and everything is connected. Just because a person isn't able to go sit in the woods doesn't limit their connection with the universal life force.
Blessings~
Vickie
~Dreams are your own unique source of guidance and healing~
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earthnann
Posts: 31
(3/25/04 6:18 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Agreed. I have known shaman folk who were city dwellers. They did not use the term "urban shaman" and they did not limit their work to humans. I will check out the site, and track down the book. And I'll work on my communication skills so I can ask questions without giving offense.
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 45
(3/25/04 6:35 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Communication is the responsibility of the communicator.. so therefore.. the miscommunication is my error. I must not be answering your questions well enough if you are still confused as to something lacking in being an urban shaman.. I will keep trying..
You said..
""they did not limit their work to humans""
Still not sure where you are getting this..... no one has ever said they limit their work to humans...
Can you explain to me please where you got this impression??
Personally I have yet to met a Shaman anywhere who limits their work to humans… some might specialize in one area or another… but the connection with nature, and all that is… Well this connection is intrinsic. A given…
So once again... I’m not sure where your assumption that an Urban Shaman doesn't connect.... As for the term Urban Shaman.. do names really matter? It is simply a term Serge coined to help people understand that there is a way to integrate shamanism into the 21st century urban jungle...
All good things,
Sky
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shadeaux63
Keeper of the Stars
Posts: 433
(3/25/04 3:36 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Terminology is sometimes a personal choice of words.Much like some have never heard of hedgewitches,either.It doesn't mean it isn't a valid path,nor does it mean that the energies used are purely for the use of humans.In an urban setting,yes,more humans than non-humans will seek out someone to help them.However,as has been stated,whenever energy is used,it is a connection with all that is.It isnt like the Shaman has a sign on the door,stating" FOR HUMAN USE ONLY".
Edited by: shadeaux63 at: 3/25/04 3:38 pm
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earthnann
Posts: 34
(3/26/04 8:02 am)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Sigh. I never said it wasn't a valid path. I asked a legitimate question based on the article I read. My impression came from the fact that the article explained the writer's definition of the term "urban shaman" and included in its quite detailed explanation absolutely no interaction with nature and no healing that was not directed toward human. The article section posted by Sky in response to my question was limited to healing humans and protecting humans from nature.
I have trained in city settings before but never with someone who did not include interaction with nature as a basic foundation of the work. I have also worked with locations that provide a natural setting for folk to recharge and balance energies before returning to cities.
This discussion is of interest to me because, as I said before, the reality of more and people losing their connection to the earth and inhabitants other than themselves is of great concern. The circles in which I move are dedication to addressing this issue. Since I could not find any reference to interconnection with nature in the article, I wondered whether I was missing something or whether those who call themselves "urban shaman" have found a way to work around this and no longer feel a need for direct connection to earth.
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Astara1
The Golden Angel and Protector of the shadows
Posts: 191
(3/26/04 11:15 am)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Earthnann, I don't understand where you got the idea that an urban shaman doesn't feel the need for a direct connection to the earth.
Urban Shamans do feel the need to connect with the earth, it is basic to Shamanism.
~Dreams are your own unique source of guidance and healing~
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shadeaux63
Keeper of the Stars
Posts: 438
(3/26/04 4:28 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Shaman knowledge has to do with an awareness of, and the ability to direct, the powers of mind and the forces of nature.
How is this NOT acknowledging nature? Just because someone is not sitting in a clearing,surrounded by trees,does not mean they are not USING the same energies as they would if they were.We are all a part of nature,whether we are sitting in the middle of it or not.The energy that we use is a natural force,therefore,of nature.So,how can an Urban Shaman not be utilizing natural forces?
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earthnann
Posts: 35
(3/26/04 7:59 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
I am not talking about "acknowledging" and I am not talking about "utilitizing". I am talking about "interconnection". I am talking about "honoring" and "healing" and "giving back to" the earth, an "equal exchange" of and becoming one with energies, not merely "directing" them. That concept is what I found missing in the article, which surprised me since it went into such great detail about shaman practice and in all of my experience, city or countryside, that concept is integral.
For example, shaman folk I know in cities dedicate a certain amount of time to working with mini ecosystems in their neighborhoods (which may consist of one small tree, a patch of grass, some dandelions in the asphalt cracks, a few sparrows and some ants). They feel their responsibillity to their community includes equally people, plants, and animals.
I started this dialogue because the article talked about nature only as something to be used or to protect against. The writer did not include nature/earth in his description of healer - he only referred to people.
This is not just a matter of symantics to me; it is an important difference. People here responding to me are using terms like "judge" and "valid", which is why I said I did not intend any offense. I have made no judgments, merely observations upon which I am basing my questions. I am not sure what else I can do to make myself clear, but I will keep trying, or be quiet, as you wish.
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shadeaux63
Keeper of the Stars
Posts: 440
(3/26/04 8:53 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
Ok, I get it,you are simply arguing symantics.No where does this guy say " I am not a part of nature". No where does he say "I AM a part of nature".Utilizing IS interconnecting.Just as utilizing prayer is interconnecting with your higher power.And just because this guy doesn't SAY he goes out and does things doesn't mean he doesn't.He more than likely does.However,the small article written is only but a taste of what he does do.No where does it say he goes to the bathroom either,but one must assume he does.
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skymrnlit
Healer of Spirit and body
Posts: 45
(3/26/04 9:05 pm)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
And I too will continue to try and explain where I’m coming from and maybe we can come to an understanding. As you yourself said, that connection with nature is an integral part of Shamancraft. So I was confused and surprised to see you asking how or if an “Urban Shaman” has this connection or “found a way around it”. The generally accepted definition of a Shaman includes working with nature… His article was simply showing how a shaman could adapt or still be viable in and urban setting…
To me it is sort of like assuming a doctor that works in an urban setting hasn’t gone to med school while a rural one has. If working “with” and “connecting to” nature is intrinsic to Shamancraft, why would it be different for an Urban Shaman. I think the omission you see (and I really shouldn’t be speaking for Serge, but I have been a student of his for a long time and know respect of nature is an important part of what he teaches) in the article is more because most see the respect of nature a Shaman feels to be a “no duh.”
I personally think it is each and every Shaman’s responsibility to take care of business, but I also think it is each Shaman’s personal choice as to how. I just don’t understand why the glass was assumed half empty. It seemed as if you were implying an Urban Shaman wasn’t as good… simply because something that is so integral to Shamanism wasn’t spelled out in an article.
So once again…. If working with and respecting nature is an integral part of Shamanism, why would you assume it would be different for an Urban Shaman? I would never assume that a rural Shaman would forget to bless his car.
All good things,
Sky
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earthnann
Posts: 36
(3/27/04 8:00 am)
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Re: Shamanism - a different twist
I understand your point, but the writer is not addressing shaman folk, he is addressing layfolk with little or no knowledge of that path. His article appeared to me to be geared toward serving as an introduction, a definition for folk with no background. He is meticulous in his description, and yet has left out a component that in my experience is integral. Since he did this in connection with a term I have not heard before, I simply wanted to know if there is a difference.
I don't understand why legitimate questions should meet with such defensiveness, but I do recognize sarcasm when it comes my way and will take that as a request to be quiet. Thank you for your time.
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