strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.”
Today shamanism survives on all inhabited continents in less ‘developed’ regions in spite of the constant pressure of Western materialism, and the treatment of the Earth and nature as something to be dominated and exploited.
Shamanism is a practice shared by peoples the world over with an underlying cosmology that cuts across cultural differences and customs. There is a common core, and when allowance is made for climatic, cultural , and geographical considerations there is a common experience. To illustrate this, a shaman from the frozen tundra’s of Siberia may not be familiar with the symbols of a shaman from the rainforests of South America, but he or she would certainly recognise the methods and techniques that are being used.
Contemporary shamanism is a path , a way, that we ourselves can be aware that we are a part , a strand in the web of life, and not outside of it. This path can lead us to experience in a practical way the nature of reality, and exceed our perception of the limits of reality.
Shamanism is currently enjoying a revival in the West, one of the factors in this is the re-discovery of health techniques that actively recognise and use the mind and spirit of the individual to help healing and maintain wellness. Many of these methods and the knowledge underlying these are known in ancient shamanic practices which have migrated in to Western society. Increasing numbers of people are seeking and finding solutions to their health problems, whether defined as physical, mental , or emotional. Many shamanic principles are widely used in holistic healing centres and practices.