The Tao of the Shaman

The roots of Taoism, like many other spiritual belief systems, can be traced back to shamanic practices from the earliest tribal civilizations. The Chinese word for shaman or "wu" was first recorded during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), but it is believed that these traditions date back to the very origins of Chinese culture. In fact, many of the stories surrounding Fu Hsi, the mythological founder of Chinese civilization (about 5,000 years ago), have a distinctly shamanic feel to them. For instance, Fu Hsi is considered the creator of the I Ching, the basis of all Chinese philosophy. According to the legend, he discovered the I Ching in the arrangement of markings on the back of a turtle that emerged from a river. This is a classic shamanic tale that marries nature and divination, resulting in the attainment of profound knowledge.