Constantly Recently, we've seen a fair few threads on how Shamanism is defined and how it is compared to other ways of interacting with the archetypal dimensions of spirit/mind/energy/what have you.

Rather than sparking the standard debate over semantics and personal opinions of what a shaman actually is, I'd like to bring up a different topic which may help us expand our boundaries, rather than picking nits over what our words mean... Specifically, I'd like to talk about some practices in which most active members of this forum participate: Neoshamanism and Psychonautics.

Many, if not most people engage in these practices on a regular basis, often without realizing it or assigning labels to their actions.
When we are inspired by compassion to pray for a loved one, or give gifts and celebrate under an adorned tree in the days following the solstice, we are honoring traditions which pay homage to a fundamental and intuitive aspect of our existence: Inducing states of reverie, torment and/or spiritual ecstasy in order to manifest into the material world that which only exists in the realms of spirit and mind. Neoshamanism is the integration of these practices into modern life and contemporary philosophy or spirituality.
When we recall a dream or the majesty of a childhood fantasy, ponder the odd sensations of deja vu or attempt to put a name on that hazy and disconnected headspace which accompanies a cold or flu, we are practicing Psychonautics: The art of studying and relating the effects of altered states of consciousness, including methods of bringing them about.

Of course, these are only the most rudimentary and quotidian examples of these practices. Those who exemplify the labels of Neoshaman and Psychonaut often engage in much more involved practices, and take up the study of their art in a sincere and directed fashion. Many Psychonauts and Neoshamans dedicate themselves and their work to healing others, discover new methods of exploration and push themselves ever farther down their spiritual paths using the tools and wisdom gained in their pursuits.

Since so many of us, to varied extent, engage in these practices and explore many of the same realms of being, I'd like to ask how you, personally, take part in these traditions. Since the topic is neoshamanism, rather than indigenous shamanism, we can feel free to discuss and share without allegation of cultural appropriation or defamation... Please respect and accept what others have to say, so that we may share and expand sincerely and without reservation.

So..

How do you practice Psychonautics and Neoshamanism in your spiritual path, studies, or your everyday life?.. How have these practices influenced your pursuits, and helped to expand your consciousness or cultivate wellbeing?

I dream a lot, and through my dreams i have been inspired to investigate the differences between a Curandero/ Shaman, compared to your average Nexus Psychonaut. This motivated me to make a post about these differences.

I know that given the 'opportunity', i can eliminate pointless threads, and help create a firmness in clarity and resolve on a subject that many misunderstand. Doing so fills me with joy: It is part of my spiritual path, in fact i feel it is my divine duty.

Investigating dreaming myself and it's opened up an amazing new realm - vivid dreaming, lucid dreaming in REM state, lucid dreaming in non-dream state. It's a fascinating subject and goes hand in hand with what the spice offers. I'd recommend Alan Wallace's book Dreaming Yourself Awake and any book by Stephen LaBerge.

I self identify as a neo-rabbi. I don't have any cultural ties to Judaism and have never received formal training, but some parts of the Torah resonate with me and I even go to Temple from time to time. I also really like the Star of David because its cool and esoteric and sometimes I see it in my minds eye when I do drugs. Other "traditional" Jewish people seem upset by this but I dont understand why they're being so sensitive. They claim Im "diluting" and "disrespecting" their faith and that my practice is actually closer to Christianity than Judaism, but both are Abrahamic religions so I dont really see what the big fuss is all about. Some people are so close-minded...I don't understand why they can't simply respect my birthright to follow the Rabbi Path.

Careful with those generalizations, we have a very diverse and highly educated global membership. This is a topic that many of our members have moar than a slight passing interest in. It is advisable to remain humble and open to learning from others that may have significantly moar knowledge and experience than you give them credit for.


Yoga, meditation, tai chi, ki gong, energy work, astral projection, hypnosis, prayer, fasting, chanting, drumming, kirtan, pranayama, dreamwork, psychedelics, magick, visioning, divining, reading, writing, studying, storytelling, etc. All sorts of methodologies to subjectively explore the nature of independent consciousness. I've dabbled in some, and explored others to great depth. The question of consciousness has always been at the forefront of my pursuits. This is psychonautics to me, many tools to get there, but the path is always inward and the practice is always personally between you and the divine withinfinity.

Neoshamanism to me is is not interchangeable with psychonautics and consciousness alteration. I hear the drumbeat of neoshamanism at 50,000 watts on the dancefloor at the festival grounds, I smell it in the hints of fresh basil on the wind at the farmers market. I feel it in the earth between my toes and the sunshine on my skin when I'm out in the garden. It brushes past in the wet wind that rustles the tree leaves foretelling the rain. It leaves its imprint on my consciousness when I'm reading the story of a pawprint in the mud. It's looking for the mushrooms in the leaf litter, it's listening to the river flow to guide your path, it's treading the trail by the light of moon and greeting the cold clear light of the dawn as the fire burns down. It's not a specific culture or a tradition, it's not a job or a hobby, it's 3 million years of instinct, it's a memory written in at the cellular level. It's treading softly, it's remaining mindful, it's being in right relationship, it's the beauty path, it's the red road.

hozho naasha

That was inspired, all thumbs up.



Blessings
~ND

[MOD EDIT: What use does this line serve except to drama-bait? Removed.]
send me a pm and we will talk about it.

Psychedelics have lead me down a very twisted path straight into the occult. If I had to identify with anything, and I truly hate putting labels on spiritual pursuits, it would have to be Sorcery.

If you want to know what's up with a people, ya just gotta ask the leader..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksEQpv2ZLU4

Great link Jamie.

Interestingly enough i said similar things in my thread, when i said that someone during 'self experimentation', may encounter some kind of Spiritual awakening, they may or may not be ready for, and that it may indeed shape their life choices.

All fascinating stuff, and always food for thought.

I myself am trying to "build" and strengthen my antahkarana, and regain some of my connection with my Boddhi, I am trying to do this by challenging myself at my weakest point that I have and transforming those into my strongest virtues.

I also have alot of prana work to do, to rebalance my chakras and to fuel that fire of inner will.