How To Overcome Skepticism in Shamanic Journeys
The Buddha once said, and I'll paraphrase it for you: "Don't take any teacher's word or believe any book until you've tested and experienced it for yourself." In other words, don't blindly accept what any highly regarded teacher or book tells you; put it to the test through your own experience. And when you do test it, ensure that it's not just a fleeting idea or some hocus-pocus magic trick.
So let’s talk about skepticism and how you can navigate it when your quest leads you to something beyond the confines of your own mind, which, let's face it, can be somewhat limited by our Western culture and scientific thinking. Before we dive in, I want to make one thing clear: there's absolutely nothing wrong with scientific thought and Western culture. In fact, they've propelled us forward in terms of scientific advancements, healthcare, medicine, and our overall quality of life. We're no longer grappling with rampant diseases or suffering without sewage systems. We can communicate across the globe through the internet and even take to the skies. So, it's safe to say that Western culture isn't inherently good or bad; it's just one of the many paths humanity has taken.
However, if you happen to be born into this culture, your mindset might be somewhat limited by the notion that everything should be scientifically measurable and provable. And herein lies the limitation; we might be closing ourselves off to other possibilities and alternative paths that humanity has followed in different corners of the world.
Let's revisit what the Buddha advised. If you want to ascertain whether something is true or not, be it a teaching from a friend, a book, a teacher, or a religion, you must put it into practice and see if it works for you. While it might work wonders for others, it could be ineffective for you due to differences in your makeup and structure. And that's perfectly okay.
Now, as we delve into the realm of shamanic journeys and mystical experiences involving the spirit realm and interactions with spirits, we're stepping into a gray area that blurs the lines between science and language. Science, statistics, and empirical measurement are all well and good when applied to things that can be quantified. You can measure the quantity or quality of water in a river, gauge sea levels, or calculate the speed of water cascading down a waterfall. However, how do you measure concepts? Love, hate, the sky—these are all abstract ideas beyond the realm of scientific measurement. Yet, they're undeniably real in our human experience.
Science dissects these lofty concepts into measurable components, breaking down their essence into digestible units. While you can measure the quantity and quality of water in a river, you can't measure the river's concept itself. Similarly, you can't measure your relationship with spirits or the spirit realm; you can only rely on your experiences to validate them.
The key takeaway here is to recognize that the absence of scientific measurement doesn't render something nonexistent. Just because science can't neatly package it doesn't mean it's not real. We, as humans, grasp these concepts through our feelings, experiences, stories, and other forms of exploration.
So, how do you reconcile skepticism in the face of these non-measurable experiences? It's akin to the classic chicken-and-egg problem. You have to trust the process a little bit to gain the experience you need to trust it more. Building a relationship with your experiences is a gradual journey, one where trust develops over time.
For me, this process took nearly two years of persistent skepticism. I started by journeying once a week, maybe once every two weeks, asking questions and waiting for signs. It didn't have to be a lengthy or arduous process; it was a matter of patience and persistence.
Here's a practical approach to overcome skepticism and enhance trust:
Write It Down: Whenever you receive a message, vision, or guidance, jot it down. Document everything—messages, tasks, research, or any homework you receive from the spirit realm. Some signs might manifest immediately, while others could take weeks or even years.
Seek Proof: If you receive an answer or guidance that you're unsure about, ask for proof. What physical sign or manifestation would convince you that the guidance is real? Then, keep your eyes peeled for that sign in your daily life.
Verify and Trust: Once you spot a sign that aligns with your received guidance, check it off your list. It's a real-world confirmation that validates your experiences and reduces skepticism.
This process gradually builds trust and lowers skepticism until you simply know it's true. You'll sense it in your body, an expansion, a sense of relaxation, and calmness—a deep-seated trust in the guidance you receive.
In conclusion, remember that if something can't be measured scientifically, it doesn't make it any less real. Our world is replete with concepts that elude empirical measurement yet profoundly affect our lives.
As you embark on your journey beyond the realms of scientific thought, consider this path of gradual trust-building through documentation, seeking proof, and ultimately embracing the power of your own experiences. This journey can open up new horizons, from personal healing to helping others and discovering your true purpose. So, don't be quick to dismiss what you can't measure—instead, explore it with an open heart and an inquisitive spirit.