The start of a new year is the perfect time to kick off a New Year Challenge. While there's nothing wrong with making a New Year resolution, some people find they have more success with a challenge. The main difference between a resolution and a challenge is specificity -- a resolution "to rediscover your true self" is overly vague, while a daily challenge to journey within and explore your inner world for 15 minutes is specific and achievable. The journey within is the most profound and challenging adventure we can embark on. It's a pilgrimage that takes us deep into the core of our being, beyond the noise of daily life and into the silence of our true self.
The world's great spiritual traditions teach that it is necessary to still the mind and enter into inner silence so that the true self can emerge. In silence you can hear your own inner voice and discover the truth within. When there is inner silence, there is time for deep introspection and to allow the true self to speak. Silence is the source of everything; the gateway to inner knowing. Silence creates the resonance of contemplation, insight and direct communication with the source.
The best way to still the mind and find inner silence is to develop a spiritual practice. A spiritual practice is the regular performance of actions and activities undertaken for the purpose of inducing spiritual experiences and cultivating spiritual development. A spiritual practice is something you do every single day that grounds you in your own truth by connecting you with your essential self. A spiritual activity might be dancing, drumming, chanting, meditating, praying, doing yoga or tai chi. Regular spiritual practice fosters deeper self-awareness, inner peace, compassion, non-attachment, integration and connectedness with others.
The Spiritual Practice of Ecstasy
Shamanism is the spiritual practice of ecstasy. Ecstasy is defined as a mystic, prophetic or poetic trance. Practitioners enter altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with the inner world of the self. The act of entering an ecstatic trance state is called the soul flight or shamanic journey.
Rhythmic drumming is a simple and effective way to induce ecstatic trance states. When a drum is played at an even tempo of three to four beats per second for at least fifteen minutes, most people can journey successfully even on their first attempt. Transported by the driving beat of the drum; the practitioner journeys to the inner planes of consciousness to obtain personal revelation and spiritual experience.
The essence of shamanism is the experience of direct revelation from within. Shamanism is about remembering, exploring and developing the true self. Shamanism places emphasis on the individual, of breaking free and discovering one's own uniqueness in order to bring something new back to the community. Shamanic practice heightens the ability of perception and enables you to see into the deeper realms of the self. Once connected with your inner self, you can find help, healing, and a continual source of guidance. To practice shamanism is to reconnect with your deepest core values and your highest vision of who you are and why you are here.
What Is a Shamanic Journey?
A shamanic journey is a meditative practice that involves entering a trance-like state to connect with the realm of the unconscious deep within each of us. Guided by rhythmic drumming or other repetitive sounds, this practice allows you to access your unconscious mind and connect with spirit guides, power animals or other symbols of insight and intuition. At its core, the journey is a method of self-discovery, healing, and reconnection with your authentic self.
Basically, shamanic journeying is a way of communicating with your inner or spirit self and retrieving information. Your inner self is in constant communication with all aspects of your environment, seen and unseen. You need only journey within to find answers to your questions. You should have a question or objective in mind from the start. After the journey, you must then interpret the meaning of your trance experience.
Why Take a Shamanic Journey?
Rediscovering your true self through shamanic journeying can bring profound benefits:
1. Clarity of Purpose: By peeling back the layers of societal conditioning, you can uncover your core values and desires.
2. Emotional Healing: Journeying helps process and release stored emotions, allowing you to heal wounds and traumas.
3. Connection with Inner Wisdom: The practice connects you to your intuition, offering guidance for life's challenges.
2. Emotional Healing: Journeying helps process and release stored emotions, allowing you to heal wounds and traumas.
3. Connection with Inner Wisdom: The practice connects you to your intuition, offering guidance for life's challenges.
Preparing for the Journey
1. Set Your Intention
Every shamanic journey begins with a clear intention. Your intention acts as a compass, guiding you through the journey. Ask yourself:
- What do I hope to discover?
- What questions about myself am I seeking to answer?
2. Create a Sacred Space
Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Dim the lights, light candles, or burn incense to set a calming ambiance. A sacred space helps you feel safe and grounded during the journey.
3. Choose Your Shamanic Journey Music
To enter a trance state and support your shamanic journeys, you will need a shamanic drumming recording. You are welcome to listen to my "15 Minute Solo Drumming With Callback," which you can stream for free on my Bandcamp music store. Headphones enhance the immersive experience.
4. Relax and Center Yourself
Sit or lie down comfortably. Take a few deep breaths, allowing tension to leave your body. Visualization exercises, such as imagining roots extending from your feet into the earth, can help ground you.
Taking the Shamanic Journey
1. Enter the Trance State
Put on your headphones and begin listening to the drumming recording. Close your eyes and focus on the rhythmic sound of the drumming. Allow your mind to relax and let go of analytical thoughts. Imagine yourself descending into a symbolic place--such as a cave or animal burrow--representing the gateway to your inner world. Imagination is your portal to the inner world. Internal imagery enables you to perceive and connect with the inner realms. If a person wants to retrieve information or find their authentic self, "imagining what to look for" is the first step in achieving any result.
2. Meet Your Guides
Once you're in this meditative state, call upon your spirit guides or helping spirits. These may appear as animals, ancestors, or archetypal figures. Trust your intuition--whatever you see is significant to your journey. The images we see during a shamanic journey are a combination of our imagination and information conveyed to us by the spirits. Our imagination gives the journey a "container," which helps us to understand the messages we receive. It provides us with a way to understand and articulate the experience for ourselves and to others.
3. Ask Questions and Explore
Engage with the symbols or beings you encounter. Ask them questions related to your intention, and listen carefully to their responses. You may also be shown visions, memories, or metaphors that hold personal meaning.
4. Return with Insights
When hear the sound of the drum callback, or you feel ready, begin your return journey. Thank your guides and retrace your steps back to the present moment. Take your time transitioning out of the trance.
Integrating the Experience
After your journey, spend time reflecting on what you've learned. Write down any messages, symbols, or emotions you experienced. Consider how these insights align with your life and how you can apply them to rediscover your true self.
Tips for a Successful Journey
1. Practice Patience: Like any skill, shamanic journeying improves with practice.
2. Trust the Process: Even if your first journey feels unclear, trust that your unconscious mind is working to reveal what you need.
3. Seek Guidance: If you feel stuck, consider working with an experienced shamanic practitioner or attending a guided journey workshop.
Rediscovering Your True Self
A shamanic journey is not a one-time event; it's a continuous process of peeling back layers to reveal the essence of who you are. Each journey deepens your understanding of yourself, helping you align more closely with your purpose and truth. By taking the time to journey within, you nurture your soul and forge a stronger connection with your authentic self. Embrace this ancient practice as a modern tool for self-discovery, and let it guide you back to the person you were always meant to be.
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