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This is an ongoing US and global project to help enthusiasts, scholars, practitioners, and curious parties learn more about shamanic living in a contemporary culture. The space here is devoted to sharing info, experiences and opinions about all forms of shamanic expression covering shamanism's multiple permutations. Among subjects explored are traditions, techniques, insights, definitions, events, artists, authors, and creativity. You are invited to draw from your own experiences and contribute.

What is a SHAMAN?

MAYAN: "a technichian of the Holy, a lover of the Sacred." CELTIC: "Empower the people...by changing the way we think." MEXICAN APACHE: "Someone who has simply learned to give freely of themselves..." AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL: "...a teacher or healer, a wisdom keeper of knowledge... (who) takes people to a door and encourages them to enter." W. AFRICAN DIAGRA: "views every event in life within a spiritual context." HAWAIIAN: "...human bridges to the spiritual world and its laws and the material world and its trials..." QUECHUA INDIAN: "embodies all experience." AMAZON: "...willing to engage the forces of the Universe...in a beneficial end for self, people, and for life in general."


-- from Travelers, Magicians and Shamans (Danny Paradise)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

the whirling

Many techinques are traditional.Nothing is pure.The whirling ,a kind
of moving meditation used by Sufi dervish or seekers,has roots in
shamanic Central Asia.Every small child loves to whirl,till dizzy and
altered.It is not the possession of any culture or gender.Sometimes
called turning, or sema,it has a charming story of the 13th cent.
teacher known here as Rumi , hearing a goldsmith's hammer and
disolving into ecstatic ,rhythmic turning in the street.
Begin with an empty room, free of furniture or objects which hender
or distract . You may use music, or not.Choose traditional whirling
music, or anything calming. Stand with eyes at looking toward the point where
the ceiling meets the walls, keep them unfocused and blank. (You
should not use the spotting technique of dancers).You may like to
begin with hands crossed over heart, right hand on top. Slowly turn
left only , pivating on the left foot, opening arms fully. Right hand is palm up to the sky, left hand is palm down to earth.This is the direction of casting
off toxins, mental, physical, spiritual.Begin slowly,find your own
speed,end slowly.

1 comment:

Night Sings said...

WOW! Thank you, AE. These are great tips that I would not have considered. How do you maintain the defocalization without worrying about getting dizzy and spinning out?