Shamanic Journeying: What It Is and Why It Matters

Shamanic journeying is one of the foundational practices of shamanism - and one of the most widely misunderstood. It is not a drug-induced trip, not a guided meditation, and not a hallucination. It is a specific, deliberate practice of entering an altered state of consciousness to access non-ordinary reality for healing, guidance and insight.

Here is what shamanic journeying actually involves and why it matters.

What Is Shamanic Journeying?

At its simplest, shamanic journeying is the practice of shifting your consciousness from ordinary waking awareness to an altered state, typically using repetitive rhythmic sound - most commonly drumming at around 4-7 beats per second. This specific rhythm has been shown in research to shift brainwave patterns towards theta states, which are associated with deep relaxation, vivid imagery and heightened intuition.

In this altered state, the practitioner is able to perceive and interact with what shamanic traditions call "non-ordinary reality" - a dimension of experience populated by helping spirits, power animals, and spiritual teachers that can provide healing, guidance and insight.

This is not visualisation or imagination in the conventional sense. Experienced practitioners describe it as a distinct perceptual state with its own logic, consistency and depth - more akin to dreaming while awake than to daydreaming.

The Three Shamanic Worlds

Most shamanic traditions describe non-ordinary reality as comprising three interconnected realms:

The Lower World

Accessed by journeying "downward" - typically through a natural opening in the earth such as a cave, spring, or tree root. The Lower World is often experienced as a natural landscape populated by animal spirits and power animals. It is a place of grounding, instinct, and primal wisdom. Many practitioners begin their journeying practice here.

The Upper World

Accessed by journeying "upward" - through the sky, up a mountain, or via a tree or column of light. The Upper World tends to be experienced as more ethereal and light-filled. It is often the realm of spiritual teachers, ancestors, and beings of wisdom. People commonly seek guidance and broader perspective here.

The Middle World

The spiritual dimension of our ordinary, physical world. Middle World journeys involve moving through familiar reality in spirit form. This is the realm where practitioners may work with the spirits of places, do distance healing, or communicate with the spirits of the living.

How Practitioners Use Journeying for Healing

In shamanic healing sessions, the practitioner journeys on behalf of the client. While you lie comfortably, the practitioner enters the altered state and works with their helping spirits to:

• Diagnose the spiritual/energetic root of issues
• Carry out soul retrieval - finding and returning lost soul parts
• Perform extractions - removing energetic intrusions
• Retrieve power animals and helping spirits for the client
• Gain insight and guidance about the client's situation
• Carry out specific healing work as directed by the spirits

The client does not need to journey themselves during a healing session - that is the practitioner's role and skill.

Can You Learn to Journey Yourself?

Yes - shamanic journeying is a learnable skill, not something reserved for a gifted few. Many people find that learning to journey for themselves becomes a powerful personal practice for self-discovery, guidance, and spiritual development.

However, it is important to learn from a qualified teacher rather than simply following instructions from a book or YouTube video. A good teacher can:

• Guide you through the process safely and step by step
• Help you distinguish genuine journeying experiences from imagination
• Teach you how to build relationships with helping spirits
• Address any difficulties or confusions that arise
• Provide the ethical and spiritual framework for working responsibly

Ryan offers workshops and training for those who want to develop their own journeying practice, as well as the year-long Shamanic Practitioner Training for those called to a deeper engagement with the work.

If you are interested in retreats that include journeying practice, read about shamanic retreats in the West Midlands.

Is Shamanic Journeying Safe?

When practised with proper guidance, shamanic journeying is a safe and gentle practice. You remain conscious and aware throughout - it is not a trance in which you lose control. You can end a journey at any time simply by choosing to do so.

That said, like any deep inner practice, it can sometimes bring up strong emotions or challenging material. This is why learning from and working with experienced practitioners is important - they can provide the support and context needed to navigate whatever arises.

Explore Further

If shamanic journeying intrigues you - whether you are interested in experiencing it through a healing session or learning to practise it yourself - a conversation with Ryan is a good starting point.