Fancy being a Shaman? Perhaps not.

Today I came across a fantastic article by Galina Krasskova.

A somewhat unusual article, Devotion is a Warrior’s Art touches on a number of important areas.

One area I want to highlight today is this, and I quote:

I worry when I encounter people who are drawn to the idea of being a God-servant or becoming a shaman. Those of us who have been through the breaking, the dying, the reforging answer those innocent queries with “no, you really don’t. You don’t know what it entails. Run now, while you still have the freedom to do so.” Watching novices jumping headlong into “shamanism” without any preparation, without any idea of what ‘shamanism’ really entails chills me to the core. They don’t understand that they may not survive the journey. Those who do this without a strong devotional practice, without a strong connection to a specific Deity (who will also look after the person in question) makes it that much more difficult. Devotion may involve openness of heart, and surrender of spirit but with that it calls for tremendous courage. Rather than explore ‘shamanism’ I’d encourage any would be spirit worker to first get their spiritual “house” in order. Begin with devotion. Allow devotion to lead to strength, discipline, and other essential training. This is a fundamental all too often neglected. It’s not the only thing one needs to survive, not by a long shot, but it certainly ups the odds.

Are you one of those people which this segment describes?

If you are, you might not survive.

Becoming a Shaman is not some kind of game, weekend thrill, or fashion. People can, and have, died.

Becoming a Shaman will change you markedly. It is not something undertaken lightly.

I survived, but only just. And I am ‘called’.

Once on the other side of the – fire – valley of death – abyss – the joy, wisdom, peace and sense/experience of being loved is literally out of this world. It is more than worth it.

But are you ready? Really ready?

If not….you might not make it back.