This world is the illusion- but it is still important.

I believe that when we enter a shamanic trance, we are connecting with the wider universe, or perhaps we could say different dimensions, that exist all the time, but that it isn't helpful to be fully aware of in every waking moment. You and I have both chosen to be here in physical form, and I believe we have done that to experience what this earth has to offer.

It is really important that we enjoy nature, good food, human connection, our bonds with animals. Being fully present lets us make the most of what this world has to offer. But that does not mean the other realities are any less important, or  less accessible.

I often think of it like going to the cinema. You have booked to watch a film you have been waiting for, and when you sit down, you want to sink into the story completely, to forget about work, money, and cooking dinner, and just be in that moment. Yet even as you are absorbed in the film, you still know the rest of the world exists beyond the screen. That is how I think about the physical world and shamanic work. Being aware of the non-physical world actually helps me enjoy this life more deeply.

One of the things I have found quite distressing, both as a shaman and a tarot reader, is when clients come to me with a terminal diagnosis and tell me they have never thought about anything beyond this physical life. Society does not  support understanding that we will die at some point, yet it is so important to explore what we believe happens next. I believe that in some form we continue to exist as an essence in the wider dimensions, and that when we do shamanic work, we are connecting with those potentials and possibilities.

That is why I think it is so important to keep doing whatever you love as a physical person. Clients and students often ask me what my favourite film is because they expect something deeply spiritual or inspiring, and they are often surprised when I tell them it is Die Hard. The books I read are usually light, trashy fantasy novels. My paid work is so existential and spiritual that when it comes to leisure time, I prefer action movies, walks, and chatting over coffee. For people with more practical or corporate jobs, I completely understand that spiritual work can provide the balance they need.

Life is about balance and finding the most enriching experiences, both physical and spiritual. I believe shamanic work is natural, it is something we all have the ability to access in our own way. A few people have written books and tried to define how it should be experienced, which leaves many people thinking, but that is not how it is for me. One of the things I really want to bring back to shamanic work is the understanding that it is about finding what works for you, and not judging yourself by anyone else’s standards or expectations. The moment hierarchy and guru energy take over, something essential gets lost. Beware anyone who offers closed rules without valid explanations.

We all have a part of us that resonates with the non-physical world, that receives messages from our gods, guides, and ancestors. I believe that is a natural part of the human psyche. The trick is to find your way to work with this.

Through this course, I want you to feel comfortable with your shamanic self and move away from the gurus and gatekeepers who say you have to do it a certain way or, even worse, pay a lot of money to learn it. 

I want you to experience shamanic work as something natural, normal, and beautifully balanced, a vital and joyful part of being fully human.

I enjoyed pondering the role of shamanic experience in the everyday world, and although this was written as part of my core shamanic course I wanted to share it more widely.