The oldest spiritual tradition of our species, Shamanism is an ancient and ever unfolding wisdom tradition that may be up to 100, 000 years old. Our Ancestors discovered a path into divine experience through a natural, mystical connection with Nature. Through this quest of outward connection came a deep, inner awareness of new consciousness. Within these realms, the source of Life itself became known along with the power to work with the energy systems of the Self, other living beings and the Earth. The word “Shaman” has its roots in the Siberian Tungus, (“Cam” or “Saman”) which was used to identify the medicine man or woman who was a blend of healer/ priest(ess)/caretaker of the earth/wisdomkeeper/counsellor. One of the meanings of the word “Saman” is “one who is on fire”, which indicates an even deeper root from the word “Sram”, an ancient Vedic Sanskrit term meaning “to heat oneself”. As we know through the ages and traditions, heightened consciousness and Spiritual strength have always been associated with light, fire and heat and the Healing Shaman cultivates this fire within fearlessly.
The Shaman was and is today regarded as a person of power, one who ‘journeys’ back and forth successfully through territories of consciousness to retrieve insight into the true workings of energy, the currency of Spirit. He/She holds the ability to bring harmony to the living energy systems of the individual human, their community, animals, plants and the greater world. These methods of healing, divining and problem-solving through sensitivity to energy and the ability to balance it, have become known as Shamanism.