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
