Learning from my clients’ life stories and from my own childhood, I believe that as young children we come into the world highly open to the world of magic and mystery. We are even encouraged and receive applause for being creative and intuitive—right up until the time we are forced to “grow up,” and then bit by bit we learn to conform to society’s expectations and codes by suppressing our feelings and our imagination.
To be safe and accepted a child learns that it is more important to adapt to the limited conventional educational systems—a system that emphasizes the “follow the rules doctrine.” Instead of encouraging out-of-the-box thinking, igniting the passion of self-discovery to expand consciousness, it rewards the logical, rational, scientific mind, serving as a soldier for a well-run society ruled by big corporations and institutions.
Still, despite all the programming to conform it is not unusual to hear some of my clients and students say,
“I can’t believe I dreamed that he was coming to visit us and two weeks later he appeared.” Or:
“I went to the store looking to buy a black scarf but there were only yellows and reds. Then for no apparent reason I wandered to another section and saw the exact black scarf I had my mind set on.” Or:
“I had a strange feeling this person would call me and the phone rang; it was she.” Or:
“I had a feeling I must call him right now. I stopped the car and called. He was going to be in the office for only five minutes and I caught him in the nick of time.” Or:
“I had a feeling I knew that city from long ago, as if maybe I was born there.” Or:
“Oh, I was just talking about you and here you are.”
How To Develop Your Intuitive "Muscles"
It is important to realize that one can develop these dormant abilities in a methodical way. Just like going to a gym to develop strong muscles, we can develop our intuitive “muscles” and increase the power of our “sixth sense” transmitter and receiver signals.
The less you resist those experiences and the more you practice the more successful you’ll become. The more successful you are the more you will believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself the deeper your understanding of the universal energies will become.
Here are a few suggestions to help you develop your intuitive skills:
? Devote a certain time of the day to a period of meditation to quiet your mind and develop deep listening.
? When seeing images in your mind’s eye hold on to them and watch them develop without holding any judgment. Carefully examine what you see and how you feel about it. Check the surroundings, hear the sounds, listen to the messages, and ask your spirit allies to clarify your visions.
? Learn to softly gaze over peoples’ energy fields and pay attention to the messages you receive, both mentally and physically, and don’t discount and judge them.
? Join a shamanic drumming circle or some other supportive group in which you can regularly practice and develop your latent gifts. You’ll be surprised to see that there are many people like you.
? Take a few workshops with shamanic teachers or other intuitive people whom you trust.
? Find books that incorporate stories of “unnatural” phenomena. They can help expand the mind’s possibilities and inspire you to go further.
? Take notes of your life’s strange “coincidences,” accidents, or flukes. Nothing happens without a reason; learn to embrace it.
? Notice patterns in your own and others’ behavior and in nature.
? Withhold judgment of your visionary experiences. Stop denying them, whatever they may be.
? Keep a diary of unusual events. Write down everything you see without censoring it.
? Verify your visions. Don’t be afraid to call the person you had a vision of or a dream about, even if you might feel like a fool.
? Surround yourself with a supportive community of like-minded people with whom you can share your experiences so you don’t feel isolated and ridiculous.
We Are All Shamans
My visions, stories, and personal experiences are not unique. Many of my fellow shamanic practitioners from many cultures around the world encounter similar stories and maybe even some that are more amazing. I believe, as Ipupiara (an anthropologist, shaman, and healer) told our New York Shamanic Circle on many occasions,
“We are all shamans. I am no different from or better than you are. Just because I wear feathers on my head, have long hair and a ponytail, wear a strange poncho and colorful clothing, and speak in a funny accent doesn’t make me a more powerful shaman.”
I encourage you to claim your birthright and set forth on a fascinating life journey. We are truly all shamans.
Subtitles by InnerSelf
©2015 by Itzhak Beery.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Destiny Books,
a division of InnerTraditions Intl. www.innertraditions.com
Article Source
The Gift of Shamanism: Visionary Power, Ayahuasca Dreams, and Journeys to Other Realms
by Itzhak Beery.
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About the Author
Itzhak Beery is an internationally recognized shamanic healer and teacher. He was initiated into the Circle of 24 Yachaks by his Quechua teacher in Ecuador and by Amazonian Kanamari Pagè. He has also trained intensively with other elders from South and North America. The founder of ShamanPortal.org and cofounder of the New York Shamanic Circle, he is on the faculty of New York Open Center. His work has been featured in the New York Times, films, TV, and webinars. An accomplished visual artist and owner of an award-winning advertising agency, he is the author of several books: The Gift of Shamanism, Visionary Power, Ayahuasca Dreams, and Journeys to Other Realms. Visit his website at www.itzhakbeery.com
