Shamanic journeying is the backbone of many shamanic classes and drum circles. Once we develop the basic skills, we can also journey on our own at home to receive the same kind of insight.
In shamanic journeys, a repetitive percussive sound helps us enter into trance and travel into the spirit realms. If you are interested in journeying at home, a good first step is to explore and find a comfortable sound that allows you to relax and trust. Many people use a drumbeat to journey. There are drumming tracks on YouTube, as well as drumming CDs. (See links in the comments.) Some people are able to play a drum for themselves while journeying, which is a bit of an acquired skill, but possible. Other people rattle for themselves to guide their journey. I suggest trying several different methods to see which is the easiest for you and which yields the best connection with Spirit.
It’s important to create sacred space before beginning the journey. This calls to the spirit helpers and builds a container of comfort and safety. Smudging yourself and the room helps to let go of any heavy energy or preconceived ideas that might interfere with your connection. Lighting a candle signals that you are about to embark on something sacred.
A prayer to the helping spirits invites their presence and assistance. Any heartfelt, sincere request is effective, even something simple as turning to each direction and saying, “Spirits of the south, come be with me. I welcome your wisdom.”
Once you’ve created sacred space, get comfortable. Dim the lights and cover your eyes. (Blocking out the light to the optic nerve helps go deeper into the experience.) Turn on the drumming CD or start the YouTube video. Take a few slow, mindful breaths to calm yourself, then make a specific request of the helping spirits. By stating your intention for the journey, it lets Spirit know what you are looking for and guides your journey experience.
For example, if you are feeling bored or unhappy in your job, you could journey and ask for clarity around next steps. If you are feeling more tired than usual, you could journey and ask for guidance and healing around what is causing your exhaustion. If you have a troubled relationship with a loved one, you could journey with the intention of a shift in perspective that will bring greater balance. Strong journeys arise from strong healing intentions.
When you begin your journey, call to your power animals, spirit teachers and angels to accompany you. Make your request of them, and then relax and trust their guidance. Surrender to the experience but still exercise discernment. If something feels unsafe, you can ask your helping spirits to redirect the journey or choose to end it.
Once you’ve received the clarity, healing, or shift in perspective, thank the divine compassionate ones and then leave the journey. Come fully back into your body. Once again, give gratitude for what you were gifted.
If you’re used to journeying in a group setting, journeying at home may initially seem different, but with experimentation and practice, it’s very possible.
When we learn to journey, we have an infinite source of wisdom, support and healing to draw on. The ability to connect with our helping spirits and receive their love and guidance is always available to us, even at home journeying for ourselves.
This work is real, and it matters.
December 8, 2021
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Here’s a link to a 15-minute track of solo drumming by Michael Harner, an American anthropologist who studied shamanism around the world. If you search on “shamanic drumming” on YouTube, there are many different options with other sounds mixed in as well. This link is for the kind of drumming that accompanies journeys in my classes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmQ1H4wU0zs
Here’s a link to a drumming CD by Michael Harner.
Sandra Ingerman’s book “Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner’s Guide” also includes a drumming CD.