What am I doing here ? Choosing a path

[ralph]

I like this analogy with a circle :

 

Everyone is at a different place on the circle, so even if we all want to go to the same place, our roads will be different.

 

That's why a tradition will give you tools to walk your path, not your teachers' path.

 

Today, with the internet, there's a lot of information out there about various practices, and it's easy to get some concrete experience with workshops and conventions, hearing charismatic people talking about how you can become master of your life, clean your home from bad energies, or heal an old backpain. All that is fine and there's a lot to learn from it, but there is a risk to become a simple consumer of 'personal improvement' techniques.

 

I think walking a path is something really different and there are a few things I'd like to share about how I chose mine.

 

The way all the new experiences and teachings are expressed in words must be something you can relate to. If you can't understand the metaphors involved, it adds a difficulty where you don't need one. The first shaman I met were from peru, I needed some serious effort to get 5% of what they said.

 

You must feel a strong interest for the teachings and practices, almost an appeal (for instance, I don't like drums very much).

 

Finally, I needed to feel some sort of cleverness behind the teachings. Feel that all this had been made by sensible, smart human beings.

 

And you, what do you think ?

 

R.

[Michelle]

I agree, you definitely need to be able to relate to what is being said. If you can't understand it, you aren't going to learn anything, or at least only 5-10% of what is being taught.

 

The great thing about the internet is you find whatever you are looking for. The bad thing about the internet is you can find whatever you are looking for - and usually 100 different viewpoints on it! The biggest issue for me is the amount of core shamanism out there masquerading as traditional shamanism. I contacted a shaman once as I felt I needed a soul retrieval. She didn't do that, but she was going to come to my house and analyse it for disharmony and tell me how to re-arrange my furniture for better energy flow (I'm not kidding).

 

I think there definitely has to be some kind of fascination or interest, otherwise what's the point? The shamanic path generally is no picnic in the path. I have experienced deep depression and even reached a point of being ready to end my own life as part of this journey. Yet here I am, still answering the call. Still wanting to know and go further.

 

As for cleverness behind the words, I don't know. It has to have a feeling of authenticness behind it. It has to feel like it's right, deep in my bones. A kind of recognition of, I have no idea what. Just a feeling like it fits.

 

My biggest lesson in life has been to learn to trust. Recent experiences I've had, books I'm reading, courses I will be doing shortly (not here, elsewhere), I have had to learn to trust they are all part of this journey. I will be going to a drum making workshop. Not necessarily by a shaman, most likely be a new-age "shar-man", but I felt it was the right one. I believe if something is right, the spirits will find away to get to you what you need and you being open meets them half way. At least, this seems to be how it's all shaping up.

[silenceseeker]

I just wanted to comment on a couple things:

 

The great thing about the internet is you find whatever you are looking for. The bad thing about the internet is you can find whatever you are looking for - and usually 100 different viewpoints on it!

 

And I would like to add that there is also a perception that everything that exists can be found on the internet. But I know for a fact that there are whole systems of knowledge that exist that are not written down or can't be found even as a mention in a Google search. These are oral systems, highly sophisticated and detailed, as much as anything written, they just were never recorded in written word. I think it's a mistake for people to think they can find out anything about anything through searching online.

 

I think there definitely has to be some kind of fascination or interest, otherwise what's the point? The shamanic path generally is no picnic in the path. I have experienced deep depression and even reached a point of being ready to end my own life as part of this journey. Yet here I am, still answering the call. Still wanting to know and go further.

 

And I also think it's something that you feel as if you have no choice but to do, although you do.

 

As for cleverness behind the words, I don't know. It has to have a feeling of authenticness behind it. It has to feel like it's right, deep in my bones. A kind of recognition of, I have no idea what. Just a feeling like it fits.

 

That is very important, it has to feel like 'home.'

 

I will be going to a drum making workshop. Not necessarily by a shaman, most likely be a new-age "shar-man",

 

"Shar-man," eh? What will they think of next?

 

Lorrie

[Guest MamaTerra]

:/

Edited August 26, 2015 by MamaTerra

[Michelle]

I can relate so well to the oral traditions not written down. I live in Australia, was born here and feel a very strong connection to the land. I want to know about the traditions here, learn the connections but I will never be taught because I am not indigenous. I know more than most people about reading art, or what a few things mean, but no where enough of what I would need to know.

Anything that is written down can't be trusted. Aboriginal people here will not tell their sacred knowledge to anyone. They will even go so far as to make up explanations to keep the truth hidden - and I don't blame them at all. It just makes it so much harder for those who have been genuinely called outside of a community.

[janacreativity]

Thank you for starting this post Ralph.

 

"Today, with the internet, there's a lot of information out there about various practices, and it's easy to get some concrete experience with workshops and conventions, hearing charismatic people talking about how you can become master of your life, clean your home from bad energies, or heal an old backpain. All that is fine and there's a lot to learn from it, but there is a risk to become a simple consumer of 'personal improvement' techniques."

 

My own journey of self-healing began with making art after losing my brother to bone cancer, which I like, b/c like (what I understand of) shamanism it kept the power for change and transformation and healing in my hands / heart / system and not in some external guru. Although making art isn't always a detached process - it can be messy as hell but its always felt empowering.

 

My first understanding of working with energy came with learning Reiki when I was 27 (while living in London) - the Ursui method - and then man, I feel like in the past 7 years (from 27 until now) - I've tried everything under the sun and spent a lot of money doing it. Some was good, some was phoney baloney as they say. I've learned the hard way that some people are really gifted business people or charismatic and that's how you get pulled into their courses or workshops. At best - something helps you transform and become more empowered and at worst they do some harm and cause more trauma. ( For example, my second level Reiki teacher was really ungrounded and unprofessional - after my attunement I was left w/ a searing headache for days b/c she didn't do something with closing up my crown chakra right).

 

It hasn't always been fun but I've learned to really trust myself a lot more and not to get to seduced by bells and whistles / smoke and mirror. (As ralph said to become a consumer of personal improvement techniques and/or spiritual, transcendtal experienes). Maybe it was a necessary process to get where I am - to be way more discerning and not really interested in enganging in more than a couple of tried and true practices. AND TO JUST SLOW DOWN. Maybe its part of the maturation process. (Making art still feels good to me, as does dancing, nature and yoga). Now I do have a deeper understanding that I am some unique combo of an empath/ wounded healer / artist / dreamer / intuitive / seer /witch indigo/ old soul/weirdo - I've heard it all (and maybe in pas lives been it all)... but to be honest I don't really know, I don't know - there are so many names but none really "fit" and I'm finally just ok with being me and letting it all remain some kind of a humorous, weird, beautiful, tragic, joyous mystery.

 

I just found my way here a couple weeks ago thanks to Rebecca. I've just started Recap 1 a week ago w/ Ralph. I find it funny that its a beginner class b/c to me it feels really advanced. 10-15 minutes is enough, 20 minutes and I'm wiped out. This stuff is no joke.

 

One step at a time... who knows where this journey will lead - but i'm happy to have found my way to the Cave for now.

 

- Jana

 

 

[Beth]

Welcome, Jana. There is a great deal to be found here. I wish you well on your journey.

 

Beth

[janacreativity]

Thank you Beth!

[SweetSoul8]

Hi janacreativity,

 

I am new here and I been wanting to take Recap 1. I was wondering what form is Recap 1 taught in? Like reading and videos. Also what is your experience like with the class?

 

-sweet soul

[ralph]

Welcome Sweet Soul,

 

All the classes are told online. We use IRC chatrooms, a form of instant messenging to teach the classes per see.

 

Between classes, students can access class logs on the Library section of the website and share about their experiences on specific sections of this forum.

 

Recap 1 is a class that is given often, so watch for the announcements to see when the next class session begins.

 

Ralph

[Michelle]

Hi Sweet Soul,

It's very much about doing here The classes give you some background info and theory and then an exercise is set for you to do during the week. The class itself is in a chat programme, so is basically words on the screen and you can ask questions. If you'd done private messages in facebook, that's sort of what it's like. And there are always the forums to come to for more questions, answers and conversations

[janacreativity]

Hi Sweet soul! I am pretty new to the cave myself. Recap 1 is my first class ... Ralph is teaching the class I am in and Cate is the TA. They both are teaching me a lot. Ralph answered your question as did Michelle, she is also in my class.

 

As for my experience with the class - well you'll probably get this from lots of folks around here - but its all so personal. Each one of us has a unique path and journey and I imagine comes to the cave for different reasons. I'm approaching the practice with a sense of curiosity and wonderment. I'm enjoying it - even when it feels challenging - and its lead me to many A-Ha moments - many subtle and simple yet powerful about my life, relationships and the patterns in my life. So fascinating.

 

Its an empowering practice for me and its helping me to see where I've been hiding things from myself or denying my own power in life.

 

In my humble opionin, you have nothing to lose by trying Recap and yet (to be a little punny and paradoxical) a lot of energetic baggage to lose if you so desire. What you gain is a better sense of yourself and your own energy - that's what I'm learning or finding. For me, its a practice of energetic elucidation.

 

And you get from it what you put into it. It takes some patience and diligence - unlike a lot of our modern world, recap is not about instant gratification and results (although a lot can shift quickly for some, but again its really personal)- its about a lifetime practice if you choose for it to be one.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Again just to reiterate this is all from my POV. Just one perspective in an infinite sea of perspectives and points of view. We all have our own truths...

[Sabre]

Hello,
Can I regard this topic as general thread? Similar topics may littered the forum.
I'm looking self-stabilization.
What I really need right now, is stable sleep and feeling of safety in my house.
Yesterday I wake up after 2.30 hours of sleep (22AM-0.30AM, 4.30AM I need to wake up)and I see white spot of light on the wall for a while (caused by 'broken' dream? - that's my theory).
I start reading The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner, but It's about how to start journey to lower world.
Can you suggest me some kind of book for meditation or something? Maybe any tips?

Edit: Can I minimize my tinnitus? It starts be overwhelming when nights coming.

Sorry for typos, there's not so much information about shamanism in my country and I don't know where should I ask if not on this or similar forum.

 

 

Small story about problems, you don't read that.
Some parts of my life are escaping from my hands (in Maslow hierarchy, I'm losing basic needs, rest of needs, are already lost).
Insomnia pushed me to write this post, because I starts having trouble in work.
It may comes from my old friend, depression (inc. Tinnitus and CEV), but some parts of myself, didn't want to get rid of her. Maybe I'm wrong, but she giving me new perspectives, and some of these are good, some bad. In some aspects, she is like a gift, not like a curse.
But few weeks ago, she surprised me. When I was shopping, twice I caught up a some kind of fainting (I do not know why). After back to house, and leaving backpack in kitchen, someone shuffle (with boots?) carpet on up stair and spoken something to me. That was sounds like he was trying to said something by his burnt throat. Was 19:40 o'clock. After one and half hour, of paranoia and panic attack, I ask neighbour, without leaving the house (through the garden), if he can help me with a thief. We took the knives and we go upstair to check the rooms. But the house was completely empty.
After this accident I was nearly sure, that I'm suffer from paranoid schizophrenia. I don't know why I told him that.
Next day, police officer visit me and ask me if everything is alright.
What my neighbour told me, someone's calls to police and told them that I tried to kill him (I was walking behind him with a knife). He explained what's happened in this day to police and right now. He still avoids me. (I understand him )
Occasionally, I still see some kind of signs, if they can be called signs.
For example:
- weird dream, I've been in white room or space, after waking up by my room-mates, there's a lot of elderberry fruit broken on the ground in the garden. They fallen from the roof (I think the birds drop them).
- in work, when I trim the fish, my line stops for three seconds, that's happened when I was thinking about Mormon's religion. After asked myself in mind - "That was a sign?" - that's happened again and one more time before - "Again paranoia?"
What I really need right now, is stable sleep and feeling of safety in my house.

 

Sorry for typos, again.

 

Edited December 31, 2015 by Sabre

[ralph]

Hi Sabre,

 

I can't advise a book because I don't really believe shamanism can be learned in a book. There's a lot of material on the shamanscave website that you can consult if you want to know a little more about the maker's tradition. Since shamanism is a practice, you'll also find some exercices that you can try. I hope you can find some answers there.

 

Ralph

[Mahkeis]

Hey Saber,

 

The others have mentioned some soils truth. Books while they give a general understanding do not offer the best method of learning.

 

I suggest yu uses the forums and makers teachings available. While I have outside teachings a lot of what they offer is exceedingly good and a great means of learning.

 

If you need anything let the makers know, or if they don't object feel free to contact me as well.