MAKING THE UNFAMILIAR FAMILIAR
Yoga was once an unfamiliar word, as indeed was meditation, especially when it was referred to as transcendental meditation, as it was in the 1960’s.
But over time, they have become words that are part of our everyday conversation.
So, it’s not surprising that the word ‘shamanism’ might sound a little unfamiliar at first.
The word 'shamanism' is an extension of the word 'shaman', which has had a variety of meanings depending on the writing skills of the person tasked with writing it.
Often the word religion finds its way into many definitions, however the word ‘shaman’ pre-dates what we define as a religion, so that would be somewhat incorrect.
Then some make reference to a trance-state, which isn’t accurate either.
A word often used is: spirituality, but only when it’s defined by what it’s not, and that would be: the ‘non-physical’ world, which covers all the things we can’t see or touch.
However, the definition of shamanism I like is:
“Those who have knowledge
of the natural world, and the non-physical world,
and the ability to bridge the two"
FYI: The word ‘shaman’ derives from the language of the ancient Tungusic community of peoples, and developed into an indigenous spirituality among the reindeer herders throughout the Siberia, Manchuria, and Mongolia regions, as we know them today.
It evolved during the Upper Paleolithic period between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago.
Be curious about everything, it’s the only way to find what you’re looking for.