Take a fractal journey into the realm of the Shaman. A
fractal is a natural phenomenon or a mathematical set that exhibits a repeating
pattern. Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across
different scales. They are created by repeating a simple process over and over
in an ongoing feedback loop. Driven by recursion, fractals are images of
dynamic systems -- the pictures of Chaos. Geometrically, they exist in between
our familiar dimensions. Fractal patterns are extremely familiar, since nature
is full of fractals. For instance: trees, rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds,
seashells, hurricanes, etc.
Shamanism represents a universal conceptual framework found
among indigenous tribal humans. It includes the belief that the natural world
has two aspects: ordinary everyday awareness, formed by our habitual behaviors,
patterns of belief, social norms, and cultural conditioning, and a second
non-ordinary awareness accessed through altered states, or ecstatic trance,
induced by shamanic practices such as repetitive drumming. The act of entering
an ecstatic trance state is called the soul flight or shamanic journey, and it
allows the journeyer to view life and life's problems from a detached,
spiritual perspective, not easily achieved in a state of ordinary
consciousness.
