Today, I want to talk to you about the shamanic journey. The more I discuss it with people around me, the more I realize it raises a lot of fears, misunderstandings, and false ideas. I’ll explain what it really is, how you enter it, and why there’s nothing to be afraid of.
The essentials
- You can’t get lost on a shamanic journey: all you need to do is want to come back.
- It’s not an astral journey: you travel with your consciousness, in a trance state.
- Trance isn’t spectacular at all: it’s an inner state we all know.
- The drum is the safest and most effective way to journey.
- You don’t need to be a shaman to journey, for example to meet your power animals.
Can you get lost during a shamanic journey?
One fear comes up often: the fear of not being able to come back. That’s simply impossible. All you have to do is want to come back and set that intention, and it happens instantly. Besides, if you’re afraid, you won’t even leave: you need to be relaxed, feeling good, and trusting.
Shamanic journey vs. astral travel: what’s the difference?
These are two completely different things, and even with astral travel, you can’t get lost. On a shamanic journey, you don’t travel with your astral body, but with your consciousness alone, in a trance state.
What is trance?
Here too, there are plenty of misconceptions. Trance isn’t necessarily what you see in movies, with rolled-back eyes and a convulsing body. That does exist, but here we’re talking about ecstatic trance: an inner trance state that can be reached very gently.
There are different levels of trance. You can enter these altered states of consciousness by dancing, singing, or repeating an activity. It’s no coincidence that “trance music” is called that: repetitive sound and dance bring us into an altered state.
Here’s an example you’ll relate to: when you’re doing a routine activity and find yourself lost in your thoughts while still carrying on, you’re in a form of trance. This even happens while driving, with that feeling of zoning out.
How do you enter shamanic trance?
To journey, we use the repetitive sound of the drum, rattle, jaw harp, or other instruments.
Some traditions also use substances, like DMT, found notably in ayahuasca. For us Europeans, I think this is a shortcut that can be very dangerous, even more so without the guidance of an experienced shaman, and there are always health risks involved. I’m convinced the drum is the safest and most effective way to journey.
What is the shamanic journey for?
The shamanic journey lets you travel deep within yourself, into the invisible worlds and other planes, to meet spirits, your ancestors, or your guides. There, you seek answers and teachings, recover lost abilities, and give or receive healing. For a shaman, almost everything happens through the journey.
But you don’t need to be a shaman to journey: anyone can, for example, go meet their power animals.
Frequently asked questions
Is a shamanic journey dangerous?
With the drum, no: you can’t get lost, all you need to do is want to come back. Psychedelic substances, on the other hand, carry real health risks.
Do you need to be a shaman to do a shamanic journey?
No. Anyone can journey, for example to meet their power animals.
To find out how to practice daily, even in the city, check out urban shamanism too. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
If this topic resonates with you, discover the Soul Sanctuary retreat, a week blending handpan, shamanic practices, presence, and introspection.
We are One. One love.
