The Essence of Shamanism

How does one explain the essence of shamanism? How does one explain the power of dreams, the connection to nature, the healing found in beauty, or the depth that being present takes you in a shamanic practice? How does one explain the clarity that can be found and the shift that takes place when one practices this way of life? It feels trite to say that nothing is the same, yet it is so fully the truth. Shaman John Cantwell, from Ireland, states, “Shamanism is not a faith, but a wisdom tradition in which we learn purely from our own individual, collective and personal experience. It is not a religion and is dogma-free; indeed it supports any existing spiritual practice one already has. Many of us deeply desire a connection to our own ‘soulfulness’ and that of all other living beings in a free and natural way. This is the essence of Shamanism.” It is within this thought that one begins to understand that unlike many types of spiritual practices, shamanic practice cannot be put into a box of simple definition, as it is expansive and fluid in its measure.

Shamanic healing seeks to make one whole again. It may at times result in bringing back lost parts of the soul from a place of hiding or retreat in realms that go beyond what our eyes can see, our bodies feel or our ears hear, yet exist in a reality that is felt when one is experienced with the journey to them. This healing can help restore a person’s power, remove spiritual blocks, open the life of the healed to other perspectives, and help in discovering and restoring the impact of the energetic origins of illness and more.

Shamanic presence means being open to the relationships of spiritual guides, trusting on the use of rituals, being open to the life long lessons that are necessary for the evolution of ones shamanic path and remaining connected to the energies and creatures of the earth and the Universe. Soul care is a priority in the shamanic practice. This care can take on many different forms and utilize a variety of shamanic tools and practices that each individual soul care practitioner hones and develops to create a unique and personal relationship with.

No one book can be read, no one practice is for all, no one rite or ritual applies to everyone when it comes to shamanism. Yet the one aspect of shamanism that does apply to all is that when one is called to practice shamanism there is a resonation of truth, a freedom and release of what feels negative, old or blocking, and an embracing of what feels empowering, transformative and expansive. Life presents itself differently when on this path. Beauty is found in all aspects of it. This beauty transcends any current definition we currently have and the soul awakens in to a brilliance that was not seen before. Life looks different because it is. And so it is for those who share in the gifts and essence of the shamanic practice.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

Living WIthout Expectation

Are you open to the messages of your soul, of your guides and of your life? How do you honor them? How do you breathe into them? I believe that each moment of each day brings to us gifts. We simply need to be open to receive them and ready to celebrate them. If the gifts are shrouded in what we consider to be pain or challenge how can we break through the initial fear or disappointment and ready ourselves for the lesson and beauty that will be revealed with time and understanding? Robert Moss states this, "Living by synchronicity isn't merely about getting messages. It is about growing the poetic consciousness that allows us to taste and touch what rhymes and resonates in the world we inhabit, and how the world-behind-the-world reveals itself by fluttering the veils of our consensual reality." How do you welcome the resonation?

For me I find that I am more receptive and able to live in the moment more fully, gathering the essence imparted to me with cupped hands and open heart, when I let go of my expectations. Expectations often lead to disappointment because we are only holding one possibility as an outcome of the many that are available to us. We invest our energies, our hopes and even our fears into this possibility and if and when it does not occur…we feel let down or that we have wasted our time or even frustrated and angry. But if we hold back from expecting and stay open to the options we are ready to “taste and touch what rhymes and resonates” within us.

I have learned with this practice that when I live this way the Universe provides me with experiences that far surpass my expectations. Life is fuller, sweeter, and so satisfying. The flow of the energies within my days is so much easier, there is a grace and a peace filled rhythm to them. When I get out of step from this walk in life, it quickly becomes clear. My days suddenly hold stress in them. Things look and feel less than positive. My relationships begin to suffer and my connection to Source feels distant. Lots of red flags begin to wave! Doesn’t take long to figure out something is up! And so a shift brings me back to center. And I begin again.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

The Sounds of Life

There are times when I seek silence. My soul needs quiet time. My heart wants to beat to a slower more gentle rhythm. My body seeks to be still. I find great strength in these moments and these types of days. I am able to within this stillness find a resource that is often buried in the noise and motion of the day. Sometimes the vibrancy of life adds so much to the layers of my expansion that I cannot always find the chord of connection. But then there are those times that the life I am living is big, large and vibrant! My life becomes full and alive with color, sounds and relationships. My body responds with a vigor and a force that reaches into the depths of my soul and pulls up, like the harvest of rich ripe root vegetables, gems and gifts to nourish me. A recent quote I have been introduced to has sent me reeling and whirling among the beautiful essence of life.

“Once, when you thought no one was looking, I saw you open your heart so wide that the earth fell in. Once, when you thought no one was listening, I heard you sigh so deep that the oceans roared with support. Once, when you thought no one was around, every atom in this universe rushed forward to embrace you. Again. Thank you for existing so intensely.” -Sera Beak

And so life is from time to time, like a chasm so large and deep that my soul grows to enormous proportions. Sometimes it is so full that I cannot hold it all in my cupped hands. Sometimes it is so loud that the beating of my heart cannot drown out the glorious musical crescendo it creates for me. Sometimes the Universe offers me gifts so brilliant that I cannot even begin to express how moved I am. And all I can do is live this life as intensely as I can until the next time I need to find myself in the silence.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

Senses of Life

How do you show up with your senses each day? These are tools for you to use to be fully present in each moment of the day? When we are fully awake with our senses, bringing them to all the delights that life showers upon us, bringing them to all the experiences we are meant to live through and hold, then we are fully alive and in union with all that is sacred. The following quote inspires this within me each time I read it. “May you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds.

May you realize that holiness is mindful, gazing, feeling, hearing, and touching.

May your senses gather you and bring you home.

May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here…”

-“A Blessing For The Senses” by John O’Donohue, Excerpted from Anam Cara

We have access to so many valuable gifts and lessons, but we have to be open to receiving them. We have to be willing to be vulnerable, intention filled and willing. Being vulnerable means we do not worry about what others are thinking or saying about us. It means being soft enough to experience pain, pliable enough to change and exposed enough to allow all the life we are meant to experience greet us. Many times we close ourselves off from it, we run in fear of it, and we resist and we distance ourselves from exactly what we are meant to have in our day so we can become more fully our brilliant self!

We have to be aware of our intentions too. Blindly going in and out of our days, unable to differentiate one from the next means we are not in alignment with our intentions. It means we may have lost focus. When we set intentions for our life, we heed our calling and we seek connection to Source. We long to move onward and experience our life fully.

When we are willing, we tend to be present and in the moment. Living in the past or fretting about tomorrow keeps us from being in a place of willingness. Instead it keeps us stuck and so we miss the golden opportunities, the chance meetings, the abundance that is waiting for us. Take notice the next time you are having a particularly good day. I will bet you are in a place of openness … your heart and soul willing to experience the moments.

When we bring these parts of who we can be to the day our senses become alive with wonder. We find beauty in everything. We are able to feel and remain whole and intact. We evolve more and more into the amazing union of our physical and spiritual self.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade