Turtle Clan On Wings Of Light: Can White People be Shamans?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Can White People be Shamans?

A Shaman’s Voice

"I suppose the question might be absurd, but I guess here's the place to ask right? I'm interested in shamanic practices, but I'm afraid how well I'd be received by others. It seems I've heard both sides of the story. I've been told that white people have treated the earth with such disrespect for so long that they no longer possess the connection and skills to listen to her. On the other hand, I've been told that shamanism more or less finds you, and its a matter of the spirit, rather than the color of your skin. Uggh. I'm so confused. I would really like some feedback on this."

By Shamans Portal Newsletter April 2010

I've been giving this some thoughts on this subject. I get phone calls frequently asking to take a class (often for a weekend) that will make someone a Shaman. Yes, let's wave the magic rattle and take the pill that does the job, for a stiff fee of course. Why people teach like that can only be explained by greed for money and ignorance. Strong statement but something that has been bothering me. So there it is.

I've been studying Core Shamanism for many years and believe that for the most part the various tribes and cultures around the world believe someone is just born that way. Yes, even in our USA modern world white people come from countries from all over the world, our blood is mixed with many tribes, our DNA makes us brother and sisters, of the global village.

Shamanism is not a Native American word but is from Siberia and has been somewhat 'coined' to stand for a certain type of healer. This is NOT to take from our US Native brothers and sisters, just history that some are not familiar with.

Shamanism and the healing arts have been and still are practiced in every country of the world and no one holds the 'rights' to say they belong to one people alone.

Now being a Shaman and Walking a Shamanic Path are two entirely different things. Anyone, willing to spend time working with the Spirits, Elements, Nature in all her forms, talking the time to learn to walk with Earth based Spiritually, can walk a Shamanic Path.

Being a Shaman when called takes years of study, commitment to the community of man and a willingness to live a life of service to the various communities. It is a choice and one that a person can say no to. All our choices, actions and reactions have effects. It is not some glamorous job and often Shamans live a very solitary life. In some areas they live outside the community but close as to be there as needed.

It is very confusing to someone walking that path in an average US area (outside of tribal) because the needs of the Shaman are not met by the community; wood for their fires, food to eat and other necessities. In tribal areas around the world a person rarely holds a straight job which is discordant with the energy that a shaman works with and the time needed to find the stillness to be available to the Spirits.

"It seems to me to be an absurd question, for thousands of years Shamans ( a Siberian word ) to mean Medicine Person who works with specific types of healing and teachings. They have been and still are found in every country, going back for hundreds of years. Shaman never has meant Native American Healer alone, and I think that is where a lot of the confusion comes from. No one takes a weekend warrior class or reads a book to become a Shaman. I agree that anyone can learn to walk a 'shamanic path', regardless of religion or not, ethnic background, etc. Being a Shaman is to be in Service of the Community, not just their local circle or clan, but the community of human kind and the balance of Mother Earth. It is not a label that makes one special, yet their ethics and how they live says it all about who they are. Choose your healer or mentor carefully. Listen with your heart and your head. Blessings .... Tana Rose - Blue Deer Woman

Will You and I Commitment to:

1. Will you and I commitment to using reusable bags for Grocery shopping or any shopping? Do you know how many PAPER BAGS come from and average logged tree???? 70, yes only 70 and remember most stores often double bag. Make some from old material from around your home or even purchase from recycled goods. Let your creativity flow and give as gifts to encourage others. If you forget, do NOT go through check out until you run back out to your car and get them. You will not have to do that often to cement the habit!

2. Kindly refuse to fall back and use the plastic bags either. They are very damaging in their creation to the earth. Air is polluted, unnecessary water is used, energy (electric, coal, etc.). And a huge amount end up in landfills. Ugh!

3. Share the books you read, unless they are a REAL KEEPER, pass them on. That goes for magazines as well. Senior Centers, Doctors offices, give to he used book stores .... get creativie.

4. As they say - Recycle - Revive - Rerun!!! This seems to be catching on. Yes yard sales are on the rise but also looking at those old items lying around the house and going .... hmmmm.... wonder if I could use that as ??? (I'm using an old family antique pottery bed pan as a plant holder) does give a giggle here and there. Really look into biodegradable, buy smart too, from green packaging even if the cost is a little bit more. Do you buy paper towles from the new paper or from recycled paper Or have you switched to NO paper towles and using cut up rags from bath towles. Works great!

5. Where do you buy your clothing??? Amazing deals can be found in consignment stores or thrift stores, often even new with tags on. Like ways; donate your gently used clothing and shoes. Some can go to shelters too where men or woman are trying to get back into the workforce.

6. New cars may impress the neighbors or folks at work BUT they are not practicle ecology wise. Buy used, but buy smart!

7. Do you really need to buy newspapers any more? They are right there free at the touch of your PC. No waisted paper, chemicals, water, electricity to produce and now the transportation and gas to get them out. Most do NOT get recycled back either.

8. Can you walk, ride a bike, take a bus or carpool? If so, do so!

9. When possialbe, work from home. Many employers are seeing the bennifits of this. People don't call in sick, tend to get more work done on a regular basis and enjoy their work more. It obviously saves up on the environment with transertation as well. Saves on Taxes if you create a work space or a room for your office.

10. Keep the heat down at home and set a timer so it drops before you go to bed and stars just before you get up. Using an extra blanket at night and warm jammies. Layer up in the day, try keeping at 68% and see if you can get used to it in the day. You'll probably be just fine after an adjustment, warm socks and slippers, clothing appropriate, etc.

11. Newer toilet tanks are low flow saving water and cash. But until it's time to get a new toilet, try putting in a couple of bricks to decrease your water in the tank. Use less paper conciously as well.

Turtle Clan On Wings Of Light

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Can White People be Shamans?

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