First of all let's look at the shamanism itself, as the world view and a system of understanding. Shamanism is extremely complicated to the rational mind, as it deals not with our social selves, but rather with our primordial selves, those hidden underneath the layers of socialization, therefore it is much more long-lasting than anything that we are aware of on this planet. It has endured simply because like the nature itself it is self-contained and does not aim to impose itself on the others. It simply is. Shaman, as a conduit of such a worldview is generally a very pragmatic individual who is/was simultaneously a diviner, a healer, an advisor in personal and societal matters, but is viewed by the mainstream society as a somewhat of an eccentric, "he is in his own world". It helps for a shaman to be viewed that way as that space barrier helps him or her to conduct their affairs without unnecessary interference.
As for the "shamanic lifestyle" if I may use such term, it is definitely a journey, a macro model of a shamanic ritual, that involves self-induced trance states with the purpose of travelling to the Otherworld for whatever purpose - either healing, or getting an advice from the ancestors (totemic or human). Shamans have also been known to bring back to life otherwise seemingly dead individuals.
So, even though a shaman is a professional of his craft (a doctor, dancer etc.) there is one in each and every one of us - it is available to any of us for the simple reason that just like the nature itself, a shamanic path starts from the vision quest in which an individual separates herself from the society and sends out a message which may sound like this "I am not on your timeline - I am on the sacred timeline, therefore don't approach me as you would before". Entering the sacred timeline, which I think is a term that Mircha Eliade used in his works is absolutely necessary, because one who is seeking knowledge has to create the sacred space around her, in which the ancestors must be met, the protectors invoked and found, and the priorities clarified. It is a very deep inner work, which is crowned by the newly initiated apprentice returning literally and figuratively back to where they have begun - their family, village, etc. However, during the time that the apprentice is wrapped in a cocoon of the initiation she is hardly approachable for many reasons - may be because physical locality has been changed, definitely spiritual though, and the individual sometimes becomes hardly recognizable. It may be a tough time for a family that can never be fully aware of what the individual is going through and where it may eventually lead. Meanwhile, the adept is going through an intense process of visionary search either by themselves or with a guide/s, who make sure that there is sense of direction, safety.
How is this useful in the relationships? Well, a relationship is a journey, a journey together, to use the shamanistic model of the World Tree - it has its ups downs, highs and lows, rock bottoms and havens. Sometimes a relationship may start on the higher branches of the tree, we are singing and immensely enjoying ourselves, but then all hell breaks lose and the lovers are sinking into an oblivion. Other times a journey begins not so well, the two are timid, fearful, but then slowly grow and gain strength together, until they fully realize each other's essences. Other times the tree bears beautiful flowers that may even become fruits.
In any case, it doesn't seem to be a journey in a straight line, and a relationship that hasn't experienced the lower levels of the Tree can't claim growing strong roots, because just like in an individual shamanic path, the two have to go down there deeply and connect with what has been known as the "protectors" of the human kind. Spiritual energies that exist only in the astral realm: they may or may not be old or even ancient, and they may or may not be able to inhabit human, animal, or any other bodies through which they may send messages, give advices, and otherwise just be as an ever-present force, unseen to anyone but the shamans, who have a developed inner vision.
Finding of a spiritual protector for a couple is a crucial step as it kind of surmounts the couple with a certain degree of awareness, light, which is very important in a relationship. Through this magnificent prism everything is filtered surely and finally, as there is nothing in the human understanding that can be greater. All in all, I need to disappoint you right now, my dear reader: our humanity is rather opaque, comparing to that great Unseen that exists in and beyond the realm of thought. If you take away our basic worries and desires - what is there? What is there?
Well, there is no one answer to this question. But I have to say that spiritual life is earthly, because it is here, on this great Earth that we build our mental worlds.
to be continued.....
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