the practice

Shamanism is in simplest terms a dialogue with our spiritual self. It is a practice which creates a direct line to our deeper knowing: our over-seeing, wise nature. Through shamanism we can let go of the drive of our ego state and access the teachings and healings which allow us to have more awareness of the unconscious patterns and programs we are operating which are creating suffering.

Shamanism is an ancient practice featuring in just about all civilisations in the history of the world. The tools, methods and rituals which are inherent to shamanic practice have probably been operating since the beginning of conscious human activity on this planet. Claiming and utilising ancient codes of practice can have extremely powerful effects; it’s like a multi-dimensional version of the Pavlov’s Dog’s Theory. It has been conditioning spiritual response for millennia!

Although there are many different branches of shamanism, the prototype for the practice is universal. This is true for all of the world religions too: Prayer is prayer… In shamanism, as in all other spiritual practices, the true self is seen as the spiritual self and the belief is that if we can all realise this wise self in human form we will transform our lives and the world around us to be living in a state of health, beauty and inter-connectedness. The job is to be patient and loving with ourselves and to be honest about wherever we may currently be at. Through the process of dialogue with spirit we can find out the best courses of action to take to allow our current personalities to be closer to our wise true natures.

The traditional shamanic way to create dialogue with our spiritual self is through the beating drum. The drum beat sets up a rhythm which nudges us to let go of the ego state as well as to connect back with the beating of our own hearts. As the drum encourages the brain waves to move out of their everyday beta setting to operate at the alpha or the deeper theta settings which are akin to dream-time brain waves, we may be open to impressions and images which are not driven by the ego-mind.

This technique is known as journeying. A shamanic practitioner will teach you how to journey and encourage you to practice regularly.

the little red drum draws on the words of the Tao Masters throughout. The Tao describes perfectly the state of stillness and inter-connectedness experienced when in alignment with the spiritual self. Shamanism, like Taoism, recognises wholesomely that we are at one with absolutely everything, and that all that we need to do is to be open to experiencing this.

The Shamanic path is a beautiful, stimulating and joyful practice to assist one in letting go of what prevents us living this and stepping out of this separated dream!

Opening up to shamanic practice and the teachings is a journey to the film of the Universe and the centre of it is You. In the company of your present limited state of perception and beliefs about who you are and what you are capable of, the choice to journey takes you to meet your universal spiritual self and gradually you learn how to change the story.

Journeying gives us direct access to spiritual teachings and allies of which the internet can only offer a fraction of. Taking the Taoist philosophy again, we are at one with these teachings anyway; it is only the belief that we are separate that makes it so. A Shamanic Practitioner has the job of safely guiding the student or client to be able to connect with their inner pool of wisdom and support them in gathering the tools and practices to create a sturdy, pragmatic and creative structure to work with, and allow the journey of self and collective healing (meaning to become whole again) to unfold.

There are many uses for this practice. For some it may be an occasional healing treatment for on-going leg pain or something similar which leads one to seek out a shamanic treatment. The Shamanic practitioner would recognise that pain in the body is a symptom of separation and would journey to the event or relationship at the root of the symptom and perform a healing treatment.

For others plain curiosity might guide a person to a Shamanic workshop or it might be a longing for a day of reflection and soul-searching which resonates with the idea of attending a session. A feeling of affinity with the tools and images of Shamanism might prompt some form of remembering in a person and awaken a desire to connect with the meaning of the practice and begin some form of Shamanic study. Very often people receive callings of some description: through dreams or experiences or a life-time of knowing that there ‘is more to life than meets the eye’ a Shamanic teacher is actively sought.

the little red drum offers individual sessions, workshops and trainings to accommodate all of these areas and details can be found on these web pages. The teaching of shamanic journeying skills is offered to every client. The aim is for each individual to be given the tools and support to create their own spiritual dialogue, so we are each empowered to find through the external teacher, the teacher within ourselves.

the little red drum offers Foundation training and Practitioner training. The first program commences Spring 2010.  Each person is given the opportunity to visit different Shamanic healing techniques. The emphasis is on safe, professional and heart-connected practice.

You can read articles on the little red drum Shamanism, view events and share thoughts and questions through the links page.