by Chris Krohn
Shamans have been the Medicine Men and Women for tens of thousands of years, going back to Paleolithic times. Though the word “shaman” is Siberian, these ancient healing and spiritual practices developed on every inhabited continent independently long before people had the ability to communicate across distances. When I was new to my journey (and a bit of a skeptic), this made a huge impression on me. If these practices were not universal truths, how would they have developed all over the world tens of thousands of years before we could communicate with each other?

Shamans have been the Medicine Men and Women for tens of thousands of years, going back to Paleolithic times. Though the word “shaman” is Siberian, these ancient healing and spiritual practices developed on every inhabited continent independently long before people had the ability to communicate across distances. When I was new to my journey (and a bit of a skeptic), this made a huge impression on me. If these practices were not universal truths, how would they have developed all over the world tens of thousands of years before we could communicate with each other?
With the dawn of science and modern medicine, these ancient practices were discarded. Though science and modern medicine have provided us with many benefits, in many ways they have not resulted in bringing us true healing, connection, vitality and joy. The ancient practices of shamanism are now being revived, and recognized more and more as the way of providing true healing for mind, soul and body. We are fortunate to live in this time when we have the benefits of both ancient and modern ways.
So, what is a shaman, and how do you know if you are one?
Shamans are Bridges
Shamans have one foot in the physical world and one foot in the energetic/spiritual world. As such, we are bridges between the two worlds and can journey to other realms to find insights, answers and the sources of healing. When a person or a community is experiencing heavy emotions, illness, or unwanted patterns, the shaman can go between the worlds to find the root cause, and then clear it in a way that is lasting.
Shamans can also communicate with spirits. We call upon the assistance of archetypes, spirit guides and archangels to facilitate healing for ourselves, others and the world. We also work with souls that have already crossed over, to provide healing for them and to assist them on their journey.
Shamans Bring Balance and Empowerment
When a person or community is out of balance, illness and unwanted experiences can occur. You probably know of the cliche of a shaman doing a rain dance to end the drought. In reality, the shaman will journey to spiritual realms to see where the village is out of balance, then do the healing work to restore balance. And the rains come.
With individuals, the same process is done. The shaman works with guides in other realms to uncover what is blocking the person from living in health, freedom, joy, connection and empowerment. It may be the effects of trauma in a previous lifetime, or ancestral, or a result of trauma and disempowerment in the current lifetime. The shaman then removes these causes, and balance is restored. The person is now empowered to live life free from limitations.
Shamanism is a Way of Living in Right Relation
Shamanism is not a religion, nor is it a replacement for religion. It is a way of living in right relation with ourselves, each other, all life, and our planet. Right relation means coming from a place of integrity and responsibility. We do not blame, judge or harm. We take all unwanted experiences to our medicine, meaning that we heal ourselves rather than holding anger or projecting blame onto others. We know that we are responsible for the quality of the experiences we have in this lifetime, and that we have the tools to be able to shift any unwanted pattern and, thereby, free ourselves from it. We honor ourselves and others. We hold each other up and provide the space and the medicine to heal what needs to be healed.
Shamans are the Earthkeepers
We recognize that our planet is a living organism, and it must be nurtured and honored. We are the stewards of the Earth, and all life on Earth. We walk softly on the Earth, giving it gratitude and doing no harm.
Shamans are Intuitives
Shamans can read behind a person’s words and see behind a literal situation. Of course, we only do this with the express permission of the other person! It is very much out of integrity to intentionally read someone without their permission. Someone who is being called to the path of the shaman may have “knowings” or receive messages from the spirit world, or experience flashes of visions, past lifetimes, or insights. These come from other realms and are meant to provide helpful information for healing and growth.
Are you Being Called?
You do not seek out being a shaman. It finds you. In the days of old, the tribal shaman would seek out and anoint the young ones who were to be trained as future shamans, In modern times, it is Spirit that calls to us. It is a calling, and it may start with the synchronicities of hearing about shamanism, feeling intrigued, a friend mentioning a book on shamanism, “accidentally” coming upon written material or videos about it, and other similar non-coincidences. Spirit is tapping you on the shoulder. Many of my students started out by telling me that they don’t know why, but they reached a point where they felt surrounded by information on shamanism. Of course, you have free will to answer the call or not, but it is a beautiful way to live and to be of service to others and to our world.