What kind of energy can one relate to?

 

Let me step in and cause trouble.

Everybody uses tools and metaphors. Whether it's tarot, astrology, nephrology, or totem animals, they all act as structures which serve to trap our attention. They allow us to reach outside ourselves. The only danger involved, is if we allow ourselves to be trapped, along with our attention, with those tools. This is why I have taken such a strong stand against that type of thinking, because it's just that -- thinking. And thinking isn't going to really get you very far. Yet people will do that and trap themselves, leaving their true potential on the table.

People are all unique. There really isn't a one size fits all sort of spiritual approach out there. And here's another shocker, because we are all unique our energy will have certain affinities for other types of energies. That could be 'cat' energy, or 'bear', or just about anything else. You might have an incredible energetic sense of oneness with stewed prunes; who am I or anyone else to judge? Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. It's just one more aspect of your ability as a human being to shift your energy. The problem comes when we get stuck there.

If we build those tools, (in this case animal totems,) into a quasi-religion, then I think we're missing the point. I like to stay away from anything that is going to serve to trap me within any given worldview, whether it's animal totems or reading tea leaves. That isn't really a condemnation of those things. They work; they're tools that serve a useful purpose, just not my purpose. There are a lot of paths out there and they all lead nowhere, including mine. That isn't the point. The point is: Does the path you chose have heart? Can you enjoy walking it? Will it reveal wonder and awe to you, or will it be mechanical and dead? Will it feed your energy along the way, or will it only take from you? Those are questions only you can answer for yourself.

If you're going to run with the wolves then you'll need a wolfskin. I have no objections to that at all. In fact, I would encourage you to try it out. But when you're done with wolf/hawk/falcon, try hedgehog and ground mole. The animal totem thing comes from the Native Americans, at least here in this country. Other traditions have something very similar, if not the same. But if you really want the juice of what this whole animal thing is all about, go back a thousand years or so. You need to speak with the Celts; they knew their stuff and they didn't call them animal totems. They called it shapeshifting. They may be a bit cranky, more than eccentric and smell bad. But they can tell you what it really means to "learn" the animals. When you're done talking with them, understand it, then you'll know.

Talk to hawk, talk to falcon and then keep going. It's just a side door to the same thing. Of course, there is something there. If there weren't, it would mean nothing.

"There is only one nature -- the division into science and engineering is a human imposition, not a natural one. Indeed, the division is a human failure; it reflects our limited capacity to comprehend the whole."

 Postcards from the Shadows Excerpts from conversations on shamanism with Niteshad Article Categories Whispers from the Cave Beginning Practices Dreaming Path of the Seer Postcards from the Shadows Stories from the Journey Contemporary Shamanism Is there an easy, or even possible way to determine what kind of energy one can relate to? Let me step in and cause trouble. Everybody uses tools and metaphors. Whether it's tarot, astrology, nephrology, or totem animals, they all act as structures which serve to trap our attention. They allow us to reach outside ourselves. The only danger involved, is if we allow ourselves to be trapped, along with our attention, with those tools. This is why I have taken such a strong stand against that type of thinking, because it's just that -- thinking. And thinking isn't going to really get you very far. Yet people will do that and trap themselves, leaving their true potential on the table. People are all unique. There really isn't a one size fits all sort of spiritual approach out there. And here's another shocker, because we are all unique our energy will have certain affinities for other types of energies. That could be 'cat' energy, or 'bear', or just about anything else. You might have an incredible energetic sense of oneness with stewed prunes; who am I or anyone else to judge? Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. It's just one more aspect of your ability as a human being to shift your energy. The problem comes when we get stuck there. If we build those tools, (in this case animal totems,) into a quasi-religion, then I think we're missing the point. I like to stay away from anything that is going to serve to trap me within any given worldview, whether it's animal totems or reading tea leaves. That isn't really a condemnation of those things. They work; they're tools that serve a useful purpose, just not my purpose. There are a lot of paths out there and they all lead nowhere, including mine. That isn't the point. The point is: Does the path you chose have heart? Can you enjoy walking it? Will it reveal wonder and awe to you, or will it be mechanical and dead? Will it feed your energy along the way, or will it only take from you? Those are questions only you can answer for yourself. If you're going to run with the wolves then you'll need a wolfskin. I have no objections to that at all. In fact, I would encourage you to try it out. But when you're done with wolf/hawk/falcon, try hedgehog and ground mole. The animal totem thing comes from the Native Americans, at least here in this country. Other traditions have something very similar, if not the same. But if you really want the juice of what this whole animal thing is all about, go back a thousand years or so. You need to speak with the Celts; they knew their stuff and they didn't call them animal totems. They called it shapeshifting. They may be a bit cranky, more than eccentric and smell bad. But they can tell you what it really means to "learn" the animals. When you're done talking with them, understand it, then you'll know. Talk to hawk, talk to falcon and then keep going. It's just a side door to the same thing. Of course, there is something there. If there weren't, it would mean nothing. "There is only one nature -- the division into science and engineering is a human imposition, not a natural one. Indeed, the division is a human failure; it reflects our limited capacity to comprehend the whole."   Postcards Articles Index 03 Apr What is shamanic will? ... 02 Apr In the context of the modern world, what does a shaman do? ... 10 Apr So how do people become shamans? ... 10 Apr Why do you say my brain is trying to kill me? ... 08 Apr Can you explain how we can use our own personal deaths as an ally? ... 02 Mar Can you talk about shielding? ... 10 Apr What is grounding? ... 10 Apr Why do you call your practices 'Contemporary Shamanism?' ... 17 Jan What is a shaman, energetically? ... 10 Apr Can you talk about the primary paths of shamanism? ... 02 Apr How do shamans find people energetically? ... 11 Apr Why is the energy of humans seemingly so complex? ... 28 Feb Is there a way to determine what kind of tool is right for me? ... 10 Apr Why does this work make me feel like I'm on the brink of something? ... 10 Apr What are the differences between Reiki and Shamanic healing? ... 10 Apr Can you talk a bit about how we are connected to this world? ... 28 Feb Are the intents of people always competing? ... 28 Feb Is there such a thing as setting too strong an intent? ... 10 Apr Where does anger come from and what creates it in our energy? ... 28 Feb What do you mean by a "predatory universe?" ... 10 Apr Is there any easy way or even possible way to determine what kind of energy one can relate to? ... 10 Apr How do our personal predilections affect us? ... 10 Apr Can you define allies? ... 11 Apr When we're dealing with expectations we put on ourselves, for whatever reason, how important are the emotions involved? ... 11 Apr What is this stalking thing you talk about? ... 10 Apr How does a place get haunted? ... 10 Apr Can you explain how perception relates to the attentions? ... 10 Apr What is soul retrieval? ... Have a question about shamanism? Send us a postcard! Write your own postcard question for Niteshad using this form. You will be notified if your postcard was chosen to be answered. All postcards are answered anonymously.  Write your question here * Send your postcard to the shadows First Name

Let me step in and cause trouble. Everybody uses tools and metaphors. Whether it's tarot, astrology, nephrology, or totem animals, they all act as structures which serve to trap our attention. They allow us to reach outside ourselves. The only danger involved, is if we allow ourselves to be trapped, along with our attention, with those tools. This is why I have taken such a strong stand against that type of thinking, because it's just that -- thinking. And thinking isn't going to really get you very far. Yet people will do that and trap themselves, leaving their true potential on the table. People are all unique. There really isn't a one size fits all sort of spiritual approach out there. And here's another shocker, because we are all unique our energy will have certain affinities for other types of energies. That could be 'cat' energy, or 'bear', or just about anything else. You might have an incredible energetic sense of oneness with stewed prunes; who am I or anyone else to judge? Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. It's just one more aspect of your ability as a human being to shift your energy. The problem comes when we get stuck there. If we build those tools, (in this case animal totems,) into a quasi-religion, then I think we're missing the point. I like to stay away from anything that is going to serve to trap me within any given worldview, whether it's animal totems or reading tea leaves. That isn't really a condemnation of those things. They work; they're tools that serve a useful purpose, just not my purpose. There are a lot of paths out there and they all lead nowhere, including mine. That isn't the point. The point is: Does the path you chose have heart? Can you enjoy walking it? Will it reveal wonder and awe to you, or will it be mechanical and dead? Will it feed your energy along the way, or will it only take from you? Those are questions only you can answer for yourself. If you're going to run with the wolves then you'll need a wolfskin. I have no objections to that at all. In fact, I would encourage you to try it out. But when you're done with wolf/hawk/falcon, try hedgehog and ground mole. The animal totem thing comes from the Native Americans, at least here in this country. Other traditions have something very similar, if not the same. But if you really want the juice of what this whole animal thing is all about, go back a thousand years or so. You need to speak with the Celts; they knew their stuff and they didn't call them animal totems. They called it shapeshifting. They may be a bit cranky, more than eccentric and smell bad. But they can tell you what it really means to "learn" the animals. When you're done talking with them, understand it, then you'll know. Talk to hawk, talk to falcon and then keep going. It's just a side door to the same thing. Of course, there is something there. If there weren't, it would mean nothing. "There is only one nature -- the division into science and engineering is a human imposition, not a natural one. Indeed, the division is a human failure; it reflects our limited capacity to comprehend the whole." - Bill Wulf List All Articles in Shamanism: The Questions