| What is Shamanism? | | | | somewhere you have visited, or seen in a film or |
| Shamanism is the oldest way in which humanity has | | | | photograph, and it can be anywhere, a hill, mountain, |
| sought connection with Creation. The origins of | | | | grasslands, forest, by the ocean. At this place allow |
| shamanism go back at least 40,000 - 50,000 years to | | | | yourself to perceive an entrance or opening into the |
| Stone age times. All of us have evolved from | | | | Lower world. This entrance can be a hollow tree, an |
| shamanic cultures, it is our roots wherever we live. | | | | animal burrow, a cave entrance, a man-made opening |
| A shaman knows that all things are alive and 'walks | | | | e.g.; a trapdoor, it can any entrance into the ground |
| with one foot in the everyday world and one foot in | | | | or water. You will find that the right entrance will feel |
| the spirit world'. Contemporary shamanism is the | | | | comfortable to you, take a minute or so to study it |
| application of these ancient timeless ways to life here | | | | in detail. |
| and now. | | | | Now when you are ready, enter into the opening. |
| Shamanism is not a belief system. It is a path to | | | | The beginning of the tunnel may appear dark, it may |
| knowledge which is gained through experience of life, | | | | angle down in a slight incline, or it may incline steeply. |
| through rituals, ceremonies, prayers and meditation, | | | | The tunnel may appear to be ribbed, and often it |
| trials and tests. Knowledge is something that works, | | | | bends, sometimes it may become spiral-like, but it will |
| that stands up to the test of time, that is known | | | | always lead downwards. |
| from the inside. | | | | Continue down the tunnel until you come out of |
| Cosmology of the shaman | | | | doors into a landscape. If you come into a cavern, |
| Shamans divide non-ordinary reality into three other | | | | you will need to move outside and into the |
| regions, the upper, lower and the middle worlds. Each | | | | landscape, there will be an exit for example a door or |
| has its own characteristics and whilst each individual | | | | an opening which will enable you to do this, it should |
| traveller experiences initially their own version, once | | | | be easy to get sight of it. |
| one becomes a proficient journeyer, it is amazing just | | | | Now in the landscape, just look around. It may be |
| how connected we all are at these levels. | | | | daytime, night-time, forest, woodland, or near water. |
| The Lower world is the place of instinctual knowing | | | | Extend your senses, listen, can you hear anything, |
| where our animal-like powers reside and where we | | | | the sound of birdsong, the sound that the wind |
| can find practical earthly help and guidance. | | | | makes as it blows through the tree tops, perhaps |
| The Upper world is the word of spirit teachers, | | | | the sound of running , flowing water. Feel the ground |
| cosmic beings, great wise elders, ancestors who | | | | underneath your feet, feel the ground pushing up |
| appear usually in human form. Their help and guidance | | | | against the soles of your feet. Sense the wind, the |
| is often perceived to be more general and | | | | breeze, sense the movement of air around you. |
| philosophical. | | | | What does it feel like? Have an awareness of being |
| The Middle world is both the everyday physical world | | | | there. |
| that we live in, the world of ordinary reality, the | | | | If you want to explore the landscape, remember |
| tonal, and also a parallel non-ordinary version of our | | | | where the entrance is, keep track of where you go. |
| world. | | | | Just as in any ordinary-reality journey, it helps if you |
| It is a CD specifically made for shamanic journeying, | | | | keep a note of landmarks so you can retrace your |
| and to do this, the drums have to be as monotonous | | | | steps to return.o Track 1. Solo Drumming (with call |
| as possible and maintain a consistent beat between | | | | back) 20 minutes with Leoo Track 2. Solo Drumming |
| 205 to 210 beats per minute. At this specific beat, | | | | (with call back) 20 minutes with Howardo Track 3. |
| the brain is stimulated to synthesise natural | | | | Double Drumming 9with Call back) 40 minutes with |
| beta-endorphins which facilitate a person to move | | | | Leo & Howard |
| into what is known as the 'second attention', an | | | | Cover notes |
| altered state of awareness, or shamanic state of | | | | The CD comes with detailed notes describing the |
| consciousness. This state of awareness facilitates the | | | | cosmology of the shaman, and instructions for a |
| shamanic journey. | | | | journey. |
| A Shamanic Journey to the Lower world. | | | | Technical information |
| To begin, find a place that you feel comfortable and | | | | The drumming was recorded live directly onto digital |
| will not be disturbed for about 30 minutes. When you | | | | tape at Sync City recording studio in London. The |
| are ready, lie down comfortably, and darken the | | | | drumming was played in the 'live-sound' studio and no |
| room, or at least cover your eyes. It is easier to | | | | sound modification process was used. |
| journey in non-ordinary reality in the dark. Remove | | | | Both drums were single headed frame drums. For the |
| tight clothing, take off your shoes and allow your | | | | double drumming track, both drums were held facing |
| breathing to move to a gentle rhythm. Relax for a | | | | each other in a position to optimise the natural |
| few minutes, focusing on being centred, and | | | | reverberation. |
| grounded. | | | | The recording engineer was Wan Hewitt, himself a |
| When you are ready visualise or imagine, a place | | | | professional drummer. He has been dubbed the |
| which reminds you of the Earth, a place which you | | | | 'drummers darling' due to the great live sound he |
| know of. This place should be a real place, perhaps | | | | gets. |