About Shamanism in a modern world.
More or less it is a nearly lost ‘kind of language’ here in Europe. Shamanism. Shamans or medicine men and women have been globally living on all continents, and fortunately still they do. Whether it is in a more modern form or still more rooted in traditional ways. For what I have experienced throughout diverse cultures from Asia, Australia, to south and middle America is that they have an important role in holding the connection and balance between human, earth and spirit. The role of the shaman is timeless, it has been needed in the past, so it will be in the future.
In search for shamanism and curanderismo ( south-American practise in healing methods ), I have had also the profound opportunity to travel the Peruvian amazon several times, and plugged in several lineages of 
shamanism. One of these paths led to maestro Heberto Garcia. A Shipibo Conibo shaman, curandero and founder of The Peruvian Institute of Shamanism and Natural Medicine (IPCHAMENA) at the Yosi Ocha jungle center in Iquitos region. In this center I spent about 30 days of healing, connecting and training in the dense rainforest for students, participants and patients on a plant medicine journey. There is a long lineage behind this maestro of shamanism, it is understood his grandfather was one of the last Marayas. A high degree in Shipibo shamanism known for these regions. (https://www.yosiocha.com/)
Entering this authentic type of shamanism made me return a second time, as this specific work was beyond words and highly important what possibilities arise from being under the supervision of this maestro. I found back a language that my culture in the west has largely lost. I found back my very own language, or better said, I got confirmed deeper the way I always had been connecting with nature and her elements. Beside the rituals and ceremonies that took place in these periods, this maestro opened and supported an endless field of methods to work with these specific natural elements, plants and trees.
Integrating such experiences and inspiration takes time, a well deserved lot of time. I always have been naturally aware about the extreme complexity of the western society. Integrating a deep shamanic experience, surrounded by absolute virgin nature, facing and healing the depths of the soul, all cocooned in the pureness of the Amazon, made me even more aware of the worldwide human situations. Dealing with the lifelong ‘handicap’ of seeing the global human crisis became even deeper confirmed by probably the most confronting message of the plants; your systems of survival are largely ill, very ill. Your modern technological and industrial systems are heavily damaging the ecosystems around the planet. An organic, living planet that feeds you and All as a mother does so to her children. The mother planet never has been exposed to these extremes of modern mankind in billions of years. The extremes that mankind generate in search of wholeness. A deep primal desire we largely forgot how to embody it. Without the right healthy wisdom, culture or education we are seeking for something we are not really aware of, resulting in a wave of very complex social and psychological disorders.
We have very high intelligence, but in general we do not have strong intention.
But fortunately the plant continues. You have a choice. A choice to make the best decisions seen the circumstances. Everything happened so far is just the way the cosmos enfolded, let this be your teacher and accept, but right here right now you have choices to step forward. You have a choice to be the change you want to see in the world. The change you wish for is nature in search of balance, through you, this is to be taken grateful and with humbleness. It is your fullest responsibility to do so every single moment. You have the intelligence to work on healthy systems for the future of your children, you have to aim with strong and clear intention. This last sentence is echoing through all of my work nowadays, and it all starts over and over when I wake up in the early morning.
My vision in Shamanism.
A shaman isn’t (only) the exotic, indigenous wizard like figure from far overseas cultures. The shaman is the high sensed one who sees, listens, tastes, feels and realizes within high organic awareness of nature itself. The shaman is a spiritual leader or guidance dedicates life in order of invoking self-realization and healing. Is able to see the depth behind all experiences and disciplined living a path that contributes the balance of cosmic energy that manifest through all life and elements. The shaman has deep insight in the absolute of energy and is gifted and well trained to work in this field, sometimes this work is done in trancelike states in some cultures. Geological and environmental difference creates various cultures around the planet. Various ways in shamanism translating existence different through spirit, source, creation, god(s) or energy. With this said, there is no absolute way. These are all different methods and cultural perceptions, but they largely aim towards the same horizon; Consciousness or Creation, the absolute universal field of infinite connection and union. This field is, to me and many others on this path, the most fundamental perception of religion. Religion based on realizing, rather than believing.
Living in this modern world we are fortunate to meet the many cultures. To connect and integrate various sacred wisdom on global scale. Often in search of self,- realization or healing, living a path through deep (ancestral) transformation to understand the principles of balance, which could be the deep remembrance in where modern shamans or healers are born. The term shaman should not be misplaced or understood as one in higher position. To me the term shaman refers to one who is absolutely aware of his equal elemental presence within the cosmic energy, and with that he or she is able to travel through it mentally, physically and spiritually in order to shape balance within a person or community.
