There’s trouble in River City, folks. And I’m not talking about the recent election. This trouble is about the alleged cultural appropriation that’s going on in the religious practice of shamanism. To be clear, I don’t follow any religious practice because I find them to be confining and limiting as they’ve all been created by humans only. Most of these systems exclude various other people and species and typically have a hierarchy and practices which must be followed if you’re going to remain in good standing. So there’s an inherent fear factor if you color outside the lines, if you will. They’ve historically been about and continue to be about control, cloaked in the name of spirituality. Add in that most systems are removed from the Earth Herself except for a belief that all other non-human beings were put here for our use. Which could not possibly be any further removed from the truth as the Animals see it. You know, the 7.77 million other species on Earth.
Like most religions, metaphysical-based ones are no different and the same tenets are in place. A search for a higher sense of self that’s cemented in a belief system that there’s something else out there besides us. Some thing/one to which/whom we could pray for relief from this earthly life with its ups and downs. An escape hatch from what we perceive as a place of shadow. And for the metaphysical-based ones such as shamanism there is a desire to escape non-metaphysical religions that are perceived not to fit. A double whammy of sorts. Humans are particularly susceptible to these programs of dogmatic control because we can’t help but respond to our need for connection on the planet to “other”. To our own innate spirituality. It’s natural, it’s a good thing and it’s why we’re here to become aware of our light being status. We’re just going about it the wrong way.
Ongoing articles about shamanism yield exactly the same perspective of control and hypocrisy that is no different than other man-made religions. Specifically, the alleged cultural appropriation from indigenous peoples of shamanism itself without giving them credit. And for practicing the rituals handed down through generations without first eliciting permission from that culture itself. The belief being among these cultures that it must be transferred between generations directly. Which I think is fine for them if they want to have that kind of structure – within their group. Why should this be applied to anyone else who wishes to follow the religion of shamanism and resonates with particular practices? There’s an exclusion factor here that’s being projected and I find it at odds with my own identity as being born a shaman in this lifetime. Every single being on the planet has a right to explore and develop their own sense of connectedness to the divine. Individually or within a group, no human control is necessary.
I happen to believe that all beings on this planet are shamans. The short definition being that we all connect energetically with each other and Earth and as a result, can influence each other and Earth. Animals, plants and crystals included. And that this transcends time itself, another human illusion. So that a shaman from 500 years ago is the same as a shaman today. The very thought that one being authentically connecting with the timeless sacred nature surrounding him or her either can’t do that or must first say “here’s where I got this from” is abhorrent to me. It flies in the very face of divine empowerment for all beings because it is predicated on human to human connection, leaving out the vital human to divine connection. If we’re getting caught up in the symbolism and outward physical practices of others then I’d say we’re missing the point completely of an individual spiritual practice. Emphasis on the individual.
It’s beyond time for all separate organized religions to be dismantled as they no longer serve the collective highest and best good. It’s not enough to practice a belief system anymore as the latter implies we’ll never reach the master stage. There is only the place of being-ness with all others. Everything flows from there and nothing else, really, is necessary.