Shamanism is unlike many other topics, in that you get your best information about it from blogs. Although shamanistic practice reaches out to all of Creation, it is also subjective and deeply personal. Scientific minds insist that almost all the "evidence" for the invisible world is "anecdotal." In their view, nothing matters except lab results, and anything that an actual person says is not valid. What they need to understand is, shamanism is just another word for science they haven't discovered yet. To the shaman the planet is the laboratory, and all the experiments share one clear intention: the preservation and healing of that planet and her creatures.

Shamanism is on the upswing in Korea and Mongolia, and among the Hmong people of Southeast Asia and China. One variety you don't hear much about is the Jewish shaman. Aaron Askanase is an acupuncturist living in Israel, who studies Judaism and Jewish mysticism. He discusses the seeming conflict of interest, and concludes that there is none, really. He says,

Shaman has come to denote a type of person, not a set of beliefs… The only common belief among all shamans is that there is a physical world and there is a spirit world.

"Why Shaman? A definition and clarification" is such a well-knit, lucid piece of writing, that to summarize it would be almost disrespectful. It is highly recommended.

Short and Sweet

** One of those subjective, anecdotal accounts is "The Osprey, the Condor, and the Shaman" by Michael Watson on his Dreaming the Word blog.

** Sandra brings back Bhola Nath Banstola, the Nepalese shaman whose workshop she has hosted before. He also is a Doctor of Naturopathy and holds an MA in cultural anthropology. Bhola Banstola will be visiting again in June for an experiential, non-residential, two-day workshop. All the details are given in May's Transmutation News newsletter.

** Have you seen a movie called The Secret Society? In Britain, a plump housewife named Daisy is drawn into an underground affinity group of heavy women who study sumo wrestling and use their weight as a means to empowerment and self-esteem. They wear traditional Japanese outfits and go out in nature for rituals. Daisy is, as the title implies, is sworn to secrecy, and her poor husband is baffled. Although this is basically a silly movie, the training, combat, and ceremonies are presented with dignity.

** Christopher Allan comments on the 2010 Adelaide Biennale of Australian Art for The Australian:

Many of the artists involved have gone well past vague ideas of the spiritual and have launched out into the territory of magic, alchemy and shamanism. Mikala Dwyer, for example, apparently consulted a clairvoyant before making her piece…

** We will close with a poignant quote from Gary Moostoos, a spiritual and cultural advisor at the Boyle Street Community Services in Edmonton, Canada, who helps heal the impoverished community of the local indigenous people by smudging, and through healing circles and sweat-lodge ceremonies:

I will walk with you, but I can't walk for you.

Source: "Why Shaman?," Jewish Shaman, 02/25/10

Source: "The Osprey, the Condor, and the Shaman," Dreaming the Word, 04/18/10

Source: "Transmutation News May 2010," SandraIngerman.com, 05/2010

Source: "Heaven and Earth," The Australian, 04/20/10

Source: "Spiritual advisor brings hope to the lost," Edmonton Journal, 04/13/10

Image by alicepopkorn, used under its Creative Commons license.