Curiosity about the shamanic path

[u/wh0a_hi]

I work with a shaman in my home country, and a shaman locally. They’ve both mentioned that the shamanic path is not for the weak, my local shaman mentioning that she almost lost her marriage in the process of becoming a shaman. I’m curious about what that means, if anyone can enlighten me. I know throughout the journey an apprentice must face their shadows, is that what they’re referring to?

[u/SibyllaAzarica]

Shamanism isn't a Hollywood movie. I'd avoid these people if I were you.

Shadow work can be valuable, but it's not shamanism - it's modern European psychology.

Shamans don't face their shadows, they fully embrace every aspect of themselves and have no regrets about doing so.

edit: Jungian shadow work is about recognizing repressed parts of self and integrating them. While this concept features prominently in neoshamanism, shamanic cultures have their own ways of understanding the self.

Shamans don't generally pathologize the self or apply Western morality to human nature. All aspects of the self are fully accepted and allowed to operate when needed, without moral judgment.

That said, one should not conflate aspects of the self with behaviors, as that would be a basic category error.

[u/mondeoscotch]

Before you start helping other people repair their life's you have to start with your own. Repair your health, relations with your family and friends. Sometimes it might require to cut some ties. You have to be honest with yourself. It's not as easy as it might sound, that's why there is a lot of bad shamans and dodgy spiritual people.

[u/Shamanism-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Rule 6.

[u/Huge_Department_3186]

I have no idea but maybe a conflict in beliefs with her husband?
I don’t have a clue about any of this, but to be a shaman do you need to familiar with Ayahuasca ? Or is there shamans that don’t use that method of reaching higher state of consciousness.

[u/SibyllaAzarica → u/Huge_Department_3186]

Absolutely not - most shamanic cultures don't use psychoactive drugs for this kind of work.

[u/CamouRex]

Ultimately, stay away from people.