What Is The Shaman?

 

For thousands of years various cultures and societies world wide have had that one individual who would separate themselves from the majority in order to best serve.  These people are given a title, a name with which the rest can identify the individual as a spiritual leader, healer, or intermediary who can interact with the spirit world either through an altered state of consciousness or direct communication in order to address the needs of the community.  These people are the worlds Shaman. 

Regardless of the culture or linguistic group there are several key elements that are common for Shaman world wide.   First the word shaman itself comes from the indigenous peoples of Siberia it is now associated with different cultures of the world including, South America, Africa, Asia, and North America. Over time these practices have woven themselves into the local customs and beliefs creating a rich tapestry of shamanic traditions.  Some of these elements are:

1. The existence of the Shaman, the central figure in shamanistic practices who is considered the guide, healer, or spiritual leader with the ability to communicate with spirits, ancestors, animals, or other supernatural entities acting as a bridge between the physical and spiritual world. 

2. The ability to enter an altered state of consciousness.  Using various techniques the shaman alters his/her consciousness in order to travel the spirit world to receive guidance, healing, or knowledge.  

3. Shamanism is generally considered a nature based practice.  Believing that all beings are connected through nature.  All beings posses spirit energies that can be connected with and honored as a source of wisdom and power.

4. One of the primary roles of the shaman is as a healer.  To heal individuals and communities of physical, emotional, or spiritual elements by using various techniques such as herbal medicine, energy work, and soul retrieval in order to restore balance and well-being. 

5. Shaman use the assistance of spirit guides and allies in the form of power animals, ancestors, or spiritual beings to assist them on their journeys and provide wisdom and protection. 

6. Most shamanistic practices include ceremonies and rituals that help connect the community with the healing.  Each society and culture will have it's own ceremony or ritualistic practices. 

7. Shamanistic practices are deeply connected in communal and community life and shamans play a crucial role in maintaining social cohesion and resolving conflict by maintaining ancestral connection for seeking wisdom and guidance. 

It is important to note that Shamanism varies greatly across different cultures, regions, and the beliefs practiced in each. While the word shamanism is originally from the indigenous people of Siberia it is now a culturally accepted term used world wide to describe these traditions and beliefs with many of the same goals and practices that bind us all together.

Peace and Balance,

John      

Changes in Language

 

As an Educator I am expected to use certain verbiage to explain, teach, and quantify my class and the material that I present to my students.  This language has been undergoing a constant change since I've been teaching, and I'm sure way before I thought about the profession.  

Language changes with the generations.  Each group of young people that come to the table collectively has it's own take on talk.  The closer a generation is to the one or ones before it determines the understanding levels of the generation before it, and so forth.  Generation gaps are more noticeable between the generations of young people and their parents, grandparents, and the older generations before them.  The closer a generation is to the level of the young people making a language change the better the understanding.  

There are many reasons for changing language other than a natural change in which the youth use their words.  For instance language changes can happen professionally if there is a majority of youth moving the language in a certain direction depending on factors that have to do with emotional, sexual, and mental health awareness, to name but a few.  

When I first started teaching we used to give Tests, and Quizzes.  We no longer give tests or quizzes, we now give Assessments of different levels of importance.  Major assessments are given when we want to, "test" the retention levels of our students material, and minor assessments are given when we want to give the a quick check or, "quiz".  

I'm not generally a warm and fuzzy type of individual.  I'm not really a hugger, I don't like people questioning my personal stuff, and if you stand to close and invade my personal space you'll notice a certain type of tension in the air and possibly hear and almost inaudible growl.  This is true of most males of my generation.  This is the way we were made and raised.  We are the predators of our people.  So, when someone suggests that I or we use different language because we are hurting the sensibilities of another generation, that gets my dander up.   Dander is one of those words we old guys use for irks.  

The word Assessment rather than Test or Quiz came about because one of the younger generations made claims to test anxiety and stress due to the pressures of the word TEST.  Eeeek.  Ok, I get it, so I tolerate such things and move on training myself to use the, "New" verbiage.  

The older I get the more concessions I find myself making due to the change in language at the hands of wet behind the ears kids.  Ok, I'm grouchy, but come on how can a writer write when the words he is writing are no longer meaning what they mean?  Stop the presses.  Time to find a cabin in the woods.  

Peace and Balance,

John