Week 4 - Eunice Valencia

Eunice Valencia

Week 4

ASA 189B

Shamanism and Nature

In this week’s reading, the relationship between shamanism and nature is explored. Shamans are known to be a balance between people and nature by the help from the spiritual world. Shamanism is strongly connected with nature. They are meant to help life on earth, their job and purpose is to the “evocation of powerful spiritual forces.” These practices are not acquire right away, shamans must go through a shamanic journey with the help of animals and spirits. These spirits can help answer questions about life. Shamans are known to heal humans, physically and emotionally, as well as heal animals and what lies within nature.

Since nature is well connected with shamanism, most people believe that taking time to observe nature, getting away from loudness of the city is crucial to hearing the voices of nature. Shamans also believe that people are subjected to believe that science is the only answer to nature and it’s mysteries. However, shamans are the only ones to try to breakthrough the other side of the “flaming door” with the skills they obtain through their journey of practicing. They believe that the spiritual world goes beyond science. John Broomfield, author, believes that people should take the time to hear what is more than a scientific reason about the spiritual world, “Let us encourage them also to hear the message of the shamans   that the moving force in the universe is spirit, which makes life possible and gives it meaning.”