Shamanic Journeying

[Enigmatik]

First off, hello.  Glad to be back at it again.  Love you guys and this forum! 

Okay, now that is off my chest I would like to speak a little about Shamanic Journeying.  I attended a class on Shamanism last night and had my first "journey."  I met my power animal and had a very interesting time.  The teacher played a drum the entire session which almost let you go into a trance like state.  Now, I have had a number of OOBs and APs, and yes this was my first journey.  My question is whether any of you have journeyed and if it is ever as REAL or INTENSE like when you are oob or projecting.  When I was there listening to the drums I was hoping to go into the vibrations and pop out of my body, lol, but that never happened.  Anyways.. if any of you have any comments or anything to add to this post at all, I would REALLY love to hear them!  THanks!

[Bluefirephoenix]

Shamanic Journeying is astral projection. Generally before attempts to jouney a fast is done for 3 to 4 days with sweat lodges. The drumming and dancing  is done at intervals not the whole time. only then silence is maintained or prayers are said within the sweat. This goes on for the night as well or most of it. At the  sundancers' lodge in Southshore the beginners are not subject to the full ritual til they've had some training they also have to have a  safety sitter before vision questing. . After going through the fasting like this you cannot differintiate between spirit and physical and you must have someone watch you. 

What your looking for is done in vision questing. Eventually you learn to control the process and you can do it at will

[Siòn]

First off, hello.  Glad to be back at it again.  Love you guys and this forum! 

Okay, now that is off my chest I would like to speak a little about Shamanic Journeying.  I attended a class on Shamanism last night and had my first "journey."  I met my power animal and had a very interesting time.  The teacher played a drum the entire session which almost let you go into a trance like state.  Now, I have had a number of OOBs and APs, and yes this was my first journey.  My question is whether any of you have journeyed and if it is ever as REAL or INTENSE like when you are oob or projecting.  When I was there listening to the drums I was hoping to go into the vibrations and pop out of my body, lol, but that never happened.  Anyways.. if any of you have any comments or anything to add to this post at all, I would REALLY love to hear them!  THanks!

Hello Enigmatik! I think journeying is the same as oob or  projecting, just another way to "get there" or focus or however you want to say it. My family and I are Welsh immigrants who have lived in Oklahoma for many years and have shared a lot of spiritual experiences with Native Americans. What I've learned is that having a shamanic experience is different from being a shaman. I've a met a few who have attended a few workshops and become self-proclaimed shamans.  However, the shamans I've met from the tribes have spent a lifetime preparing to be a spiritual link for their people to the dimensions beyond material existence, and that preparation has been extremely difficult and self-sacrificial. With that being said, anyone can learn shamanic wisdom about life and journeying and put it into practice. Like other forms of "traveling" into different dimensions, it takes a lot of focus, discipline and a belief that you really can do it. I've had both mundane and intense journeys, but have usually learned something each time. I would encourage you to keep working on it if it seems right, especially if you have a good mentor and a deep appreciate for the gifts of nature.

[Bluefirephoenix]

Sion they're amazing arn't they. 

[Siòn]

Sion they're amazing arn't they. 

Absolutely!!!

[Kzaal]

Hello Enigmatik! I think journeying is the same as oob or  projecting, just another way to "get there" or focus or however you want to say it. My family and I are Welsh immigrants who have lived in Oklahoma for many years and have shared a lot of spiritual experiences with Native Americans. What I've learned is that having a shamanic experience is different from being a shaman. I've a met a few who have attended a few workshops and become self-proclaimed shamans.  However, the shamans I've met from the tribes have spent a lifetime preparing to be a spiritual link for their people to the dimensions beyond material existence, and that preparation has been extremely difficult and self-sacrificial. With that being said, anyone can learn shamanic wisdom about life and journeying and put it into practice. Like other forms of "traveling" into different dimensions, it takes a lot of focus, discipline and a belief that you really can do it. I've had both mundane and intense journeys, but have usually learned something each time. I would encourage you to keep working on it if it seems right, especially if you have a good mentor and a deep appreciate for the gifts of nature.

This is true, you don't become a guru because you self-proclaim yourself as one. You need people everywhere to tell you that you are one in order to be one.
Same goes for shamans. Like you said being a shaman requires a life-time dedication to it, and the knowledge/wisdom they learn from it is taught to their children and grand-children.
Same goes for a Sage, you are not one unless everyone tells you that you are.

[Enigmatik]

Just a FYI, I'm not actually trying to be a shaman.  I am however, trying to get a taste of what they do and I respect that.  Main intention was to try to learn more about shamanic journeying.  As an added bonus I got to experience the drumming and a few other things.  My wife is from Japan and I go to the Buddhist temples a lot in Japan, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to become a Buddhist.  I'm just curious and interested is all.  Kind of a learning thing.

[Bluefirephoenix]

It's good to be cautious. I was the same way about it. I can't do the 4 days with no water and sweat lodges. My physical body isn't strong enough to take that kind of punishment but I did learn a lot from them and did some of the lighter activities.

[Siòn]

Just a FYI, I'm not actually trying to be a shaman.  I am however, trying to get a taste of what they do and I respect that.  Main intention was to try to learn more about shamanic journeying.  As an added bonus I got to experience the drumming and a few other things.  My wife is from Japan and I go to the Buddhist temples a lot in Japan, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to become a Buddhist.  I'm just curious and interested is all.  Kind of a learning thing.

I know exactly what you mean. We don't have to be shamans to practice shamanic journeying. I would encourage you to learn all you can about shamanic wisdom and work it into your lifestyle. The live drumming is awesome but the beats on a good CD have been equally effective for me. If you like to read, check out some of the stuff by folks like  Kenneth Meadows, Sandra Ingerman, Michael Harner, and Thomas Cowan. Some even come with drumming CDs.