Shamanic journey

Description:

When a shaman voluntarily enters an altered state of consciousness he may experience himself leaving his body and journeying to another realm. The soul seems to leave the body and to roam at will through the upper, middle and lower worlds. These journeys are used to acquire knowledge or power and to help people in their community. If the journey is to guide the souls of the dead to their resting place then the shaman is referred to as a psychopomp. The experience of the journey may be dramatic or dangerous, ecstatic or horrendous, demonic or divine. Although there may be the emotion of terror there is often an ineffable joy in what is seen and awe at the mysterious worlds opening before him. It is like a waking dream, one in which actions and adventures can be directed.
The journey is in three phases: preparation, which may be a period of isolation, fasting or celibacy; induction of an altered state of consciousness through rituals involving singing, dancing, drumming or drugs; the journey. There may be descent into into the lower world (perhaps through a cave, hollow tree or water hole) when the shaman sees himself diving deep into the earth and emerging in another world where he may seek information on medicine, recover a lost soul or placate an angry spirit. The fate of the whole tribe may rest on successful completion of this task. The lower world is often a place of tests and challenges. The middle world is this world. Journeying over it at will the shaman may seek and obtain information on hunting, weather or warfare. The upper world (entered from a mountain, tree or cliff-top) may involving the piercing of a membrane which has temporarily impeded ascent. He then may move among several levels, perhaps being assisted by a helping spirit. Ascent may also be in the form of a bird or through climbing the central axis connecting the lower, middle and upper worlds. The axis may be in the form of the world tree or a mountain, rainbow or ladder. The upper world journey may be ecstatic.

About the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential is a unique, experimental research work of the Union of International Associations. It is currently published as a searchable online platform with profiles of world problems, action strategies, and human values that are interlinked in novel and innovative ways. These connections are based on a range of relationships such as broader and narrower scope, aggravation, relatedness and more. By concentrating on these links and relationships, the Encyclopedia is uniquely positioned to bring focus to the complex and expansive sphere of global issues and their interconnected nature.

The initial content for the Encyclopedia was seeded from UIA’s Yearbook of International Organizations. UIA’s decades of collected data on the enormous variety of association life provided a broad initial perspective on the myriad problems of humanity. Recognizing that international associations are generally confronting world problems and developing action strategies based on particular values, the initial content was based on the descriptions, aims, titles and profiles of international associations.

About UIA

The Union of International Associations (UIA) is a research institute and documentation centre, based in Brussels. It was established in 1907, by Henri la Fontaine (Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 1913), and Paul Otlet, a founding father of what is now called information science.

Non-profit, apolitical, independent, and non-governmental in nature, the UIA has been a pioneer in the research, monitoring and provision of information on international organizations, international associations and their global challenges since 1907.

www.uia.org

You are here

Shamanic journey

About the Encyclopedia

About UIA