Native American Shamanism has been exploited by Hollywood, ridiculed by the religious community and revered by the tribes for whom it plays a vital role, but very rarely is it represented for the spiritual journey and experience that it is. A lack of understanding of the purity and depth of Shamanistic practices has led many people to label it as witchcraft-an occult practice as different from Native American Shamanism as the east is from the west.

What is Shamanism?

            Before you can truly understand the ancient art of Native American Shamanism you must first understand exactly what shamanism is. Shamans were great healers and wise men among the tribes, able to completely separate their spirit from their body to interact with the spirit world and gather wisdom, giving them knowledge and healing capabilities that they would not have in their physical bodies.

            It has been said that Shamanism is a “technique of ecstasy” to which a shaman is either born or called. In many cultures the shaman is identified by his ability to connect with the spirit world and heal him- or herself of a serious illness. The exact “how” of shamanism is often debated. Some believe that the Shaman is assisted by spiritual helpers with otherworldly powers who loan their capabilities and knowledge to his cause. Others believe that the shamanic journey is merely another form of meditation, granting the shaman access to their own intuition and subconscious mind.

A Brief History of Shamanism

            Despite the mental image that most people have when they think of shamanism, the practice actually originated among the natives of Siberia. The term shaman actually describes a specialized holy person believed to have the ability to interact with spirits and deities, and it found its way into the western languages from Russia in 1700 to describe any individual from any religion capable of making the “ecstatic trance-journey.”

            It is important to understand that shamanism is not a universal Indian Religion-or even a universal practice. Most tribes incorporate shamanistic practices into their own personal religious practices, but “none of them describe their beliefs as shamanism…the ecstatic trance-journey is simply not a major part of most North American Indian Cultures.” (Tori McElroy, http://www.angelfire.com/journal/cathbodua/Shamanism.html)

Native American Medicine Men vs. Native American Shamanism

            Much like the lump grouping of the word shaman, most people mistakenly use the terms “medicine man” and “shaman” interchangeably. Native American Shamanism refers to a strictly spiritual practice during which the spirit of the shaman will separate itself entirely from the body and travel into the spiritual world. Shamans fulfill many roles in a society, not just that of healer. They are often counselor, judge and religious leaders as well.

            A medicine man, on the other hand, uses his ability to commune with the spirit world and his knowledge of the natural world around him (through the use of herbalism and other natural remedies) to ensure the physical and mental well being of the people of the tribe. They do perform ceremonial rites similar to shamans, but their role in a society is much more defined.

            Native American Shamanism is easily one of the most misunderstood spiritual practices in the United States, but through the efforts of many Native American organizations we are slowly beginning to understand the strength and value of these ancient rituals and the potential for wisdom and wonder that lies in the trance-journey to the spiritual world.