Week 4 - Jane Kwak

In John Broomfield’s “’We Are Not Alone’ The Shamans of the World Tell Us,” he argues that shamanic practice should be included in the educational curriculum, because these practices can be used to make a difference.  Knowledge about shamanic practices would help Westerners and people of different generations understand that everything in this world has life forms, which means they are alive and conscious.  All the forms on this Earth play a role, in which the interdependency between these forms is important.  Shamans are able to create and build a connection between the different forms on this earth with the help of spirits.  One major connection we must make is with nature.

It is a common belief that humans are superior to all other forms because of a difference in intelligence.  Because of this belief, we take advantage of resources thinking that they are here just for us to use.  Other forms, such as nature, are suffering because of our actions.  This is why I believe it would be beneficial to teach shamanic practices.  People would be able to learn that there must be interconnectivity as well as balance between the forms of this world.  This reminded me of an example a classmate shared in class.  She told us about a study where the growth of two plants were compared.  Both plants were in identical environments except one plant received positive comments while the other received negative comments.  The plant that received positive comments noticeably thrived more than the plant that received negative comments.  This demonstrates that even plants have a consciousness that humans are able to influence. 

This idea of forms, other than humans, having consciousness may instill fear in humans, because there is not much known about it.  The fear of the unknown may cause people to act out that can damage the earth even more.  This is why the teaching of shamanic practices can benefit us by teaching us the importance as well as the methods in which we can make this world a better place.

Question:

How can we further demonstrate that other forms on this Earth have a consciousness?

Reference:

Broomfield, John. "’We Are Not Alone’ The Shamans Of The World Tell Us." Collective Evolution, 15 November 2015

Visual:

Robinson, Joel. “Put Your Hands Up.”