Understanding Shamanic Journeys

The classic shamanic journey is one of the most remarkable visionary methods used by humankind to access inner wisdom and guidance by the teachers within. Shamanic journeying is not an exceptional skill reserved for certain people, but knowing what to do with intuition, how to respond to it, and how to integrate it into day-to-day life is an exceptional skill that can -- and should -- be learned. It is important to release any expectations you may have about what a journey should be like. Too often people reject what they are legitimately experiencing because it doesn't fit their expectations of what should be happening. The key is to trust that what is happening is exactly what is meant to occur at that moment in time.

The most empowering gift shamanic journeying offers each of us is direct revelation, which manifests as visions, inner voices, or experiences with our own spirit helpers. Once you attain a state of ecstatic communion, how do you know you are listening to your spirit guides and not just making it up? For me, direct revelation comes from the heart and begins with my willingness to trust the guidance of my inner voice.

To better understand your journeys, I recommend recording your experiences in a journal as soon as you have returned to ordinary reality. Journeys, like dreams, tend to fade quickly from conscious awareness. Keeping a journal provides a record of your spiritual growth and allows you to reflect upon and better interpret journeys. In some cases, your journey experiences will be clear and easy to understand. At other times, your journey may be dreamlike and full of symbolism. Interpret such journeys as you would any dream. Look for possible associations related to each symbol or image. Don't overanalyze the journey, for its meaning will become clear at the appropriate time.

Not every journey you undertake will necessarily be coherent, vivid or powerful. Still, no matter how esoteric or random the experience may seem, it augments your shamanic skill and knowledge. Seemingly insignificant events in a journey or vision may manifest in a powerful way in your ordinary state of awareness. Be on the lookout for synchronicities, for they confirm that your shamanic work is producing effects beyond the bounds of probability or coincidence.

The more you practice shamanic journeying, the better you will get at it. Nothing may happen on your first journeys. You may not be able to turn off the mind chatter or go anywhere. When this happens, simply try again at a different time. Eventually you will be able to take a rapid inner journey anywhere or anytime the need arises. Try a shamanic journey: http://youtu.be/_bU0g8TiDUw