“The Shaman is a self-reliant explorer of the endless mansions of a magnificent hidden universe.”
~Michael Harner
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual tradition which cuts through space, time, and culture. Originating in indigenous cultures across the world, shamanism was reclaimed and reinvented by American culture precisely because it is needed. It is not a religion but easily co-exists with religious traditions. Many governments and organized religions have feared shamanism and persecuted shamans in part because it empowers individuals to pursue a personal connection with spiritual dimensions. It is also available to all people regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability, or belief. Shamans understand that everything with form or substance has a spirit…humans, animals, trees, rocks, the wind, the stars, the rainbow, and even places. Shamans understand that everything is interconnected. Their understanding expands to see everything as sacred. Shamans use techniques to enter unseen dimensions of non-ordinary reality through journeying to communicate and interact with spirits, allies, and guides. Their success in retrieving information and guidance from spirit helpers is dependent upon how much they can become a “hollow bone,” free of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may interfere with their ability to be a clear channel and receive wisdom from spirit.
The most effective shamans I have met are grounded, calm and whole within themselves. There are many techniques shamans use to enter the spirit world or non-ordinary reality. Drumming, chanting, singing, dancing, rattling, breathe technologies and entheogens bring shamans into an altered brain wave frequency allowing them to dive below analytical, linear, three-dimensional thinking. Journeying is as natural as dreaming and anyone can do it. It does however require the skills of relaxation, imagination, clear intention, concentration, and surrender. Drumming is the most common way shamans’ journey. A monotonous drum is a simple way to shift one’s consciousness towards a trance like state of awareness.
On behalf of a client, the shaman moves into an altered state where they work with their spirit teachers, guides, and allies. Various shamanic techniques may be used to support and assist the client in their healing and awakening process. The shaman may also encounter and work with a client’s spirit helpers in the process. All the work is done with compassion and with the intention of the best possible outcome for the client.
Hollow bone is a term used by the Lakota whose wisdom teachings tell us that our primary task in the world is to become as a “hollow bone.” When we can move our ego and rational mind out of the way to channel the divine power of the universe through us, all healing is possible. Many religious traditions contain understandings of hollow bone. Buddhism speaks about this in terms of non-doing or non-attachment through arriving at a state of emptiness in which the entire universe blossoms from and flowers into. In Hinduism we can understand the hollow bone as the full expression of our kundalini energy running through the central energy channel in the subtle body called shushumna (also known as the Inner Flute or Hollow Bamboo). The Judaic practice of forgiveness during Yom Kippur creates the conditions for hollow bone. Many traditions have hollow bone practices that help us become liberated from our ego-attachments, our suffering, and our conscious, and subconscious fears.
When we begin to open ourselves as a hollow bone we are receptive to the flow of energy from the source and mystery of existence itself without resistance which invites grace into our lives. Grace is essentially the natural flow of the spirit of life expressing itself through compassion, kindness, appreciation, gratitude, joy, and forgiveness. All of this cultivates our ability to see through the shadows of ugliness and experience beauty in ourselves, one another, and the world.
My clearest and deepest understanding of becoming a hollow bone comes from my study and practice of shamanism. The venerated, late Native American Holy Man Frank Fools Crow taught that you must become like a hollow bone to be a great healer. According to Fools Crow, “We are called to become hollow bones for our people, and anyone else we can help, and we are not supposed to seek power for our personal use and honor. What we bones really become is the pipeline that connects Wakan Tanka [whom we could call Great Mystery, God or the Tao], the Helpers and the community together.” Fools Crow believed that he went through four stages to becoming a hollow bone: First, he called in Great Mystery to rid himself of any obstacle that would impede him in any way, such as doubt, questions, or reluctance. Then he recognized himself as a clear channel, ready to be filled with hope and possibilities. He experienced this power as it came surging into him. Finally, he gave this power away to others, knowing that as he is emptied out, Great Spirit will keep filling him with even greater power to be given away.
Through shamanic journeying we can find a hollow bone teacher who will support us in our process of becoming a hollow bone. Becoming a hollow bone requires us to be a human being as opposed as a human doing. Acts of being come from the heart. Acts of doing come from the mind. Qilaut elder, Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, from Greenland says: “The greatest distance in the existence of Man is not from here to there nor from there to here. Nay, the greatest distance in the existence of Man is from his mind to his heart. Unless he conquers that distance, he can never learn to soar like an eagle and realize the immensity within. . . Only by melting the ice in the heart of Man does Man have a chance to change and begin using his knowledge wisely.” This ice in our hearts has been created from our wounds, trauma, ego mind, and fears. So, part of becoming hollow one is to allow the ice in our hearts to melt. All it takes is a little heat…perhaps the warmth of forgiveness, acceptance, humility, kindness, beauty…the various frequencies of love. Then we are more able to become a receptor for greater knowing from spirit.
Articles about Shamanism and Christina’s life experience
