SHAMANISM
In our human history on this earth, from tribal
groups to some sophisiticated organized
societies, the first priests, doctors, artists and
community leaders were the Shamans; men and
women.
A Shaman embodies the sacred connection to
the world of Spirits and Nature. As healers,
through their skill and discipline of accessing
altered states of consciousness (ASCs), they
bring back the knowledge and guidance to
catalyse the healing process in their clients.
I am exploring the Shamanic roots of Energy
Healing and I am coming to accept that
Shamanic Healing lies at the roots of every
discipline and practice of Energy Healing.
Shamanism among the world's Indigenous
societies is very much alive today and thriving.
In our postmodern industrialized and
cyberconnected world there is also a rise of a
form of Neoshamanism; perhaps this indicates
our ancestral birthright yearning to feel
connected to the great web of life.
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Shamans have been doing their
work for thousands of years.
Ancient rock art from East Cape, S. Africa depicts a
community healing dance. In the center of the circle
a shaman performs a healing on a patient. From:
The Shamans of Prehistory. J. Clottes and D.
Lewis-Williams, Harry Abrams, NY,1998.
Numic Rain Shaman.
Rock Art from Little Petroglyph Canyon,
Coso Range, CA, USA.
Detail of yarn painting depicting a Mara'akame
calling in his spirit helpers to assist in a
healing ceremony.
Jose Benitez Sanchez, Nayarit, Mexico, 2001.
"Tatei-Atsinari", yarn painting depicting a world creation myth
by Jose Benitez Sanchez, 1980
During Jose Benitez Sanchez visit to Seattle, 2000.
left, explaining the symbolism in his art; right,
with Dr. Acosta at his gallery art show.
Jose Benitez Sanchez conducting
"Ceremonia del tambor" (drum ceremony)
Tepic, Nayarit, 2001.
Jose BS with the author outside Tepic, Nayarit,
Mexico., 2001
"Ritual Healing", depicts a Mara'akame in a ritual
healing ceremony. The patient and shaman work
closely to contact the spirit entities causing the
illness and the shaman sends white light to affect
the cure.
Yarn paintings by Mariano Valadez, 1992.
c Dharma Enterprises, Oakland, CA, 1992.
Seeking balance within and with all creation.
Ojibway (Ontario, Canada) artist Roy Thomas' "Spirit paintings" embody the importance of being in right
relationship with ourselves and our natural world.
c Garfinkel Publications 1993, Vancouver, Canada
Searching for Ourselves
In balance at all Times emphasizes the great web
of life, our interdependence and interconnectedness.
The Spirit of Hikuri.
The author with friend Mara'kame artist
Don Alejandro Carrillo
Don Alejandro Carrillo performing a "limpia"
(cleansing) with his feather tool muvieri.
Visionary Huichol yarn art depicts
the Wirrarrika cosmovision
Healing technique
