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hi i am a karuna reiki master thinking about becoming a shaman ... Can anyone out there share with me how they might have incorporated shamanism with reiki? anyone info will be appreciated...thanks

A wonderful, curious question upwardbound. I will watch the replies with interest. I will be with a shaman on the Amazon River in May.

Please read my article on this subject at:

Love,
Pamir

Dearest Upwards bound,
*hugs ****
The first thing I did was ask for a Shaman guide to be sent. I have had many
wonderful experiences with my guide and a request to spirit was all that was
needed to help me on my way.
I enjoy learning all I can about healing in general, I"m a very curious person
in regards to everything out there.

Good luck
Mitakwye Oyrsin
Jahnavi

Upward,

/*\ Namaste.

Some Shamans are born - some are "made".

If you are ready to work actively in any orf the three spirit realms then perhaps this is a
path for you. One of the initiations which will help tell you if you are meant or destined for the
Shamans's mantle is the "dismemeberment dream" .

The Shaman is the oldest healer - psychopomp - magician. They also traditionallly know herbs, incences,
etc. And Shamans come from most diverse ethnic backgrounds - yet have so much in common.

It is a wonderous path -

Reiki all around,

all blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

I'm intrigued....dismemberment dream? Is this something that happens when the Shamen becomes ready for Shamanic work ?

Can you learn how to be a shamen rather than it being instinctive....presumably to do so would mean working closely with another Shamen as a mentor? Can another Shamen enter the Spirit realms with his pupil, to guide him safely through or is it something that the novice shamen must face alone with the help of his power animal and spirit guides? Wonderful , but must be a bit scary at times too :)

Love,Light and blessings
helen.

helen,

/*\ Namaste.

The dismemberment dream is a classic sign that one is "meant" to follow the shaman's path
- however that might lead. Sometimes the dream comes after apprenticeship has started -
sometimes before and leads one there.

Yes, it is possible for shamans to meet in one or another of the spirit realms - frequently the
lower world is chosen - but I suspect this is rarely done "intentionally" - protecting the identity of one's
power animals is quite important, in case of doubt, so the shaman generally works as a solitary; so as not to reveal secrets. Remember, traditionally Shamans are healers and spiritual leaders but may also be practicing sorcerors and witches. Some practitioners sometimes may take on "jobs" which require them to do not so nice things.

The pupil is taught how to "journey" and then does so - the Teacher will interpret for the student _ for awhile - :-}} Other techniques are also taught but the student must sometimes learn to perfect the practice mostly on his\her own. In tradition societies that still function, the student and Teacher
will stay closer together for much longer, of course.

- but then the student must learn to do so on his\her own.

Scary? Yes, there are circumstances that can occasionally arise that are cause for care and "appropriate concern".

But these are most likely if one does serious work such as "extractions" or soul retrieval.

Hope this helps.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

Many thanks...I find Shamanism really interesting.

May I ask... were you born to it or did you learn with a Shamen?

Hope you don't mind me asking :)

Love,light and Blessings
helen.

Helen,

/*\ Namaste.

I had such a dream when I was about 14. At the time, of course, I had no clue other than it was a dream I did not feel I could discuss with anyone.

It was some years later that I had a second shamanistic dream (not dismembering) which led me to start reading where I found the stuff to help me with the teen-dream.

If you want an excellent primer on Shamanism try a book by Mircea Eliade - I think the title is something like
Shamanism: Archaic techniques of Ecstacy.

After some reading I sought out specific training.

So I perrhaps it was some of both - born and made - since I did not grow up in a culture
with practicing shamans available. :-}}

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

Wow...thank you for sharing this and for the book recommendation.

It never ceases to amaze me how we often seem 'steered' towards our destination, sometimes before we even know where that destination is :))

love,light and Blessings
helen.

helen,

/*\ Namaste.

The Eliade book is more on the "scholarly" side but well written and published before the surge of "new age"
interest in shamanism. Eliade is considered an "expert" on shamanism.

After reading this one, try a somewhat more modern and practical approach to the subject.
The title is: By Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism by J.D. Conway. The writting lacks a few refinements but it is emminently readible and useful for those who did not grow up in a shamanic society.

"A good traveler has no fixed destination and is not intent on arriving". Lao Tsu

Good reading.

Reiki all around,

All BLessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste and many thanks :)

love,light and blessings
helen.