Shamanism is a religion that is intensively in touch with the spiritual aspect of human lives. Shamans incorporate nature and the environment to help them to reach a form of enlightenment. Shamans believe that spirits play a very significant role in human lives. According to the Shamans, spirits are neutral, neither good nor evil. Due to this significance, Shamans are able to control and/or cooperate with the spirits for the overall benefit of their community. In fact, Shamans are considered to be intermediary between the natural and the spiritual world. While in a state of trace, a shaman’s spirit can leave the body for periods of time and enter the spirit world while performing certain tasks. To get into this “state of trace”, Shamans partake in dancing, mediating, and drumming. At times this state can even be reached by taking entheogens, which are psychoactive substances. In addition, the Shamans also believe that animals play a significant role in human lives. Animals are the message-bearers; sending important messages to humans and giving them advice. Animals also act as omens to the Shamans or they can be personal spirit guides to humans.
What is the foundation of Shamanism?
The foundation of Shamanism is based on how the visible world is infused by invisible forces or spirits and how these forces and spirits affect the lives of the living. Unlike similar practices or religions such as animism and animatism (where all members of society practice the religion), Shamans do not have to acquire specialized knowledge or special ability to practice Shamanism. However, Shamans will usually organize into full-time ritual or spiritual associations. Shamanism has the ultimate goal to help, heal and preserve.