Greetings! And a question...

[chunjihuli]

Hello everyone! Nice to meet you all. I apologize in advance as this is probably gonna be a long post. ♥

 

I'm Kailah, but I also go by Chunji and Koala (by some of my friends anyway).

I'm extremely new to shamanism. I'm doing extensive research and reading books to learn as I am unable to have anyone teach me.

 

So I learned about journeying. And it sounds like such an amazing experience from what I've read and heard about.

I was really excited to get started with it, and with my perfectionist self I figured I could get it on the first try.

And when I didn't, I decided to keep trying. I had nothing for about five tries, and on the sixth this morning, I think I got what was close to journeying.

My intention was to explore the Lower World.

 

I listened to drumming music in bed (since I relax better that way), with my headphones on for about a half hour.

I wasn't expecting to really see anything, and I tried to keep focus on the music and my senses. I figured maybe I'd hear or feel something.

Firstly, while laying in bed, I could feel my whole body "spinning" for a second, but then it would just go away (which isn't new for me actually).

I'm not quite sure what that could mean.

 

About 20 minutes in, through the darkness of my eyelids, I caught a dim glimpse of overlooking a snow-covered pine forest with a field of snow and a river going into it.

But unfortunately it vanished once I became "aware" of it. A bit later on I was in the snow, looking at the trunk of a huge tree, and it was covered in fresh foliage and vines, despite it being in winter.

I couldn't get myself to look up at it though. However, I was able to look down and start walking, and when my left foot descended into the snow, I felt a spasm in my leg, and it jolted me out of it.

The images weren't very bright but they were there.

After that, I couldn't muster up anything else.

 

Should I count that as a journey? Or was I just being hopeful?

 

Thanks! ♪

[Karl]

Sure, I would count it.

 

What might help is if you set a simple intent before trying to journey - that way, you're not simply sort of wandering around. But keep it simple!

 

If you're listening to something, you want to kind of let it "fill" your thoughts, and also hold the intent you set before as you do it.

[chunjihuli]

I'll be sure to do that.

 

I was probably also thinking too much as well. I was worried about how much time was passing and if my journey wouldn't happen that time.

I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it though. I'll keep trying!

[Karl]

Yeah, just keep on practicing.. you'll have more luck over time

[Beth]

Hi Kailah -

 

I would agree with Karl. Also, take a few moments to ground yourself first, or a few moments to focus on your breathing. I always found counting my breaths to be helpful because it stops that busy thought process that can get in the way.

 

Good luck!

 

Beth

[chunjihuli]

Thank you Beth!

I tried another session just now. My intention was to meet a power animal.

I didn't see anything this time but instead I felt my entire body being pushed and pulled by some strange force. I didn't get any sounds or any other sensations.

Perhaps I'm getting a little closer, I wonder?

[Moonshadow]

Hi Chunjihuli,

 

Power animals are another matter entirely. In the maker tradition we don't really pursue the idea of power animals, the logic being that why would an animal want to give away its power to someone else? I personally wouldn't want to do that. All creatures have power we can study and learn from, but we can't really take their power.

 

 

Mandy

[chunjihuli]

Huh, I never thought of it like that.

Everywhere I read said that meeting a power animal was a good thing to try first.

You have a good point though. I guess I should ask then, should my intention be to learn from an animal instead? Or is this still an entirely different matter?