Jean’s Story
Jean felt lost. While she was a student there was always the next class to attend or assignment to be done. Her life was structured by her timetable and tasks to complete. Now that she had graduated life had changed. There was no structure determining her next moves. She was anxious and felt insecure; that she had been set adrift with nowhere and everywhere to go, with no rudder to steer her.
She didn’t know it then, but her life was about to change. As she scrolled through her Facebook feed, she saw posts that ignited her curiosity. The posts were about Shamanic practice.
Jean Today
You wouldn’t recognise the same Jean today. She has a presence that tells you she knows herself well and will fearlessly pursue the things that she is passionate about. Jean hasn’t just achieved goals that she has set herself, she is tuned into her environment, compassionate and aware of others, and is true to her values. She is confident, self-assured, and above all, happy.
Shamanic practice
Contemporary shamanism draws from the ancient practices of indigenous cultures across the world. Shamanism is not a religion, but a spiritual way of life that embraces all the practicality of daily living. Jung travelled the world observing indigenous cultures. He observed great similarities shared by cultures that had never had contact with each other. Subsequently, modern psychology has created modalities for treating patients based on his observations. Contemporary Shamanism goes further in that it gives you the tools to become consciously aware; to know yourself well and create a lifestyle that reflects your true nature.
It is a common theme in many people’s lives that their feelings of accomplishment and self- worth are defined by the goals they achieve and the work they do. So, when they finish a phase of their life, it causes a void. They lose confidence, feel unworthy, lost, and unsure like Jean. Many also find themselves repeating the same pattern repeatedly; often becoming worse with each cycle.
Contemporary Shamanic Practice gave Jean the tools to go within and grow her feelings of self-worth; allowing her self-belief to come from a place deep within and become unshakeable. Conditioning from childhood experiences (wounding), ancestral patterns, soul’s journey and past lives all contribute to how we are in the world. With the help of a shamanic practitioner, these were able to be addressed so they no longer informed her thoughts and actions. In this way, Jean was relieved of the burdens of conditioning and past experiences and could step forward and express her true self.
Self-Empowering
This may sound rather daunting as it sounds radically life-changing; and it can be! However, Shamanic practice is a self-empowering process where you are completely in charge and learn as you grow and change. Shamanism is many faceted and you will be attracted to the things that will resonate with you most. To give you a better idea, this is Jean’s experience.
Jean’s Journey
# Visioning workshop
Jean needed to find some direction so she decided to attend a shamanic workshop with the intention of creating a vision of her future. She was immersed in a safe and sacred space with others with similar intentions. As the workshop progressed, she became fascinated by how the ritual, symbols in many forms, and the Sacred Circle of Whole Consciousness spoke to her, her truth and helped her to vision what is possible in her life.
# Personal Sessions
After the workshop, Jean was aware that she was feeling quite anxious about some aspects of her vision and that she couldn’t bring them to reality. She decided to have some personal sessions. Each session was focussed on a specific intention that she wished to achieve with the practitioner taking her on a journey to accomplish this.
# Everyday Living
A core principle of Shamanism is to be consciously aware – in the present moment. As she learnt more about Shamanism, Jean learnt tools for everyday living. She learnt to stop regularly during the day to be mindful, to notice the small things that are usually missed and recognise them as signs of synchronicity.
In this way, Jean became who she is today – her authentic self. She is confident, happy, fulfilled and positive.
In Conclusion
Life is too short to be confident and happy in the way you live it. Although changing the way it is now, can be daunting, the outcome of change – transforming it – is beautiful as it brings the gifts of confidence, joy and peace and you become the best that you can be.
Shamanic practice brings a depth and richness to life that otherwise may not be there, as rituals, symbolism and conscious awareness bring colour and deep meaning to daily life.
