Science of Shamanism

The Science of Shamanism: How to Recover from Addictions, Codependency and other Diseases of the Mind-Body-Soul-Spirit

As people seek alternatives to mainstream medicine, the word Shaman and Shamanism have come more into the mainstream. There is a science of Shamanism. These once obscure terms reserved for anthropologists and new age seekers, have almost become household terms. This might be due to necessity. Currently the US spends more on healthcare than any country on earth, yet ranks 34th in the world for the general health of its people. Despite all of our technology there are more than 400 different mental diagnoses, and countless possible physical afflictions that affect people every year. Clearly there is the need for healthcare alternatives and Shamanism has a lot to offer in that regard.

What Is a Shaman?

The literal translation of the word “shaman” is “one who knows.” Contrary to popular belief, Shamanism is not a religious practice, nor is it specific to any particular spiritual practice. Shamanism can interact with every type of organized religion or personal spiritual journey as well as various cultures and governmental structures. Because it is so versatile, the Shaman practice can help anyone find their way to higher spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

Shamanism is not a religion nor is it a belief system. It is a path to wisdom and knowledge, which is gained through direct experience with different aspects of the natural world. And to the Shaman, everything is part of the natural world. She has no concept of the supernatural, only that which is in the seen realm and that which is in the unseen. The Shaman goes through training, rituals, ceremonies, trials and initiations to master both the physical and energetic realms. In Native American culture, the Shaman is the medicine man or woman, the one responsible for the care of his or her community. In all such cultures, the Shaman is learned in both the natural/material world (plants, animals, minerals, elements) and the inner/immaterial world (subconscious, energetic). In our culture, the old-school “family doctor” who made house calls, healed the sick, delivered the babies, counseled the grieving, and comforted the dying could well have been called a Shaman.

History of Shamanism

Shamanism is believed to have started in Siberia. The term was coined by the Tungus tribe more than 10,000 years ago, though evidence of similar practices has been traced to nearly every continent. Shamanism is about the natural world, which makes up every part of the seen and unseen realms we exist within.

While the definition of Shamanism is different for every practitioner, every Shaman must receive training in working with both the physical and spiritual (sometimes known as the energetic) realms. From there, the Shaman serves as a conduit for their community, filling a leadership role that doctors, religious heads, politicians and other leaders cannot.

The Science of Shamanism and Quantum Physics

Many people consider Shamanism to be on par with many “new age” practices, thinking that it does not contribute to science or have any place in an academic setting. However, there have been many instances where Shamans made medical and scientific discoveries before their academic counterparts.

Shamans have used certain herbal remedies that had no proven scientific effects until years in the future. Shamans also boasted a knowledge of certain celestial components before we developed the technology to see them, claiming they gained this information through their studies of the natural world and unseen realms.

With that in mind, we present the belief that Shamans are the modern quantum physicists, possessing an arsenal of universal energy to pave the way forward with their knowledge.

How Shamanism Can Help With Recovery

We have long since learned that rehabilitation and recovery from any disease or illness, including addiction, is as much a spiritual practice as it is a physical one. A central belief of Shamanism is that illness comes from spiritual discontent, and that conquering conditions like addiction requires honing your energetic fields and finding harmony through the natural world.

Contact The Sanctuary at Sedona to learn more about how Shamanism in psychology can deliver a more holistic and manageable recovery. Our Shamans work hand-in-hand with Western medical professionals to treat addiction, mental illness, trauma and more.