The backbone of a personal shamanic spiritual practice is the journey, a trancelike state used to access the guidance of Great Spirit and the divine compassionate ones. Journeying bypasses the thinking mind and helps us connect with our soul and the intuitive, energetic, spiritual aspects of our being. A regular journeying practice deepens our connection to Spirit and brings support, clarity, healing, and growth.
In shamanic journeys, we travel into the spirit realms and open our intuition to communicate and receive messages from Spirit. Journeys can be described as a cross between a dream and meditation. Sometimes in journeys we actively participate, sometimes we observe, and sometimes we receive messages while in an altered state.
There are a variety of ways that information comes through in the journey. Sometimes it’s very literal, and sometimes it’s more symbolic or metaphoric. Depending on our natural mix of intuitive gifts, we might see a flash of an image or a short video clip. We might hear sounds such as talking or chanting. We might smell a scent such as roses, frankincense or freshly mown grass. We might feel with our skin or notice emotions. Or we might have a sense of knowing something.
A repetitive sound such as drumming or rattling takes us on the journey, helping us to enter a new state of awareness. Our power animals and spirit guides accompany us as we travel into the spirit realms, bringing the experience and the wisdom that is in our highest good at the time based on our intention for the journey.
Just a few examples of the myriad intentions we could hold for a journey:
- meet a power animal and receive the benefit of its medicine
- talk to Mother Earth and receive a healing
- connect with a deceased loved one and continue our healing work with them
- visit our benevolent ancestors and connect with the wisdom of our lineage
- meet the spirit of a season or direction and learn about its wisdom and energy
- travel to our birth star and have the experience of being home
- go to the Hall of Records and see what soul contracts are influencing us in this lifetime
- connect to universal energy and learn about ancient wisdom and practices that have been forgotten on earth but still exist in the collective memory
- receive messages of love and support from our soul and helping spirits
- explore the wisdom of the elements (earth, water, fire, air, and light) and ask for a cleansing
There are several ways to learn to journey. Platforms like Zoom and the availability of online classes have brought more possibilities. These are good ways to get started if you are eager to begin journeying and don’t want to wait for an in-person class.
I also recommend taking an in-person class with a shamanic teacher to guide you in the nuances of journeying and provide a safe space for exploration. In the early stages of learning to journey, it can be helpful to be in a group energy field which boosts our intuition and abilities. In a group setting, we also learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives.
This is an academic explanation of what it’s like to journey. When we are in the experience, many magical moments of grace, love, and healing happen. Through a regular spiritual practice of journeying for our self, we can connect directly with the divine and receive the support and wisdom of our helping spirits.
This work is real, and it matters.
July 26, 2021