Shamanism

I really enjoyed the Shamanism course because things Ive read about in the past that dealt with Shamanism have always fascinated me. I didn’t realize just how much there was to learn until this course. I also didn’t realize just how much I did not truly know about Shamanism until this course.

One of the lessons I really enjoyed was lesson 4. It delved into all the various types of Shamans there are including women as shamans. I guess I found this interesting because I always thought of Shamans as men. Nice to know women were also included.

When we got to lesson nine that deals with spirit guides I was mesmerized. Being a witch and Native American I found this lesson hit home. Spirit guides, as animals, have come to me in dreams and visions. They have come to me, also, physically. I haven’t really gotten any mythical creatures coming to me strongly but I am open to that possibility.

I really like how this lesson focuses on the importance of respect for all life and the reasons behind it. Its laughable that man thinks of himself as most important on this land we all share. We are all one and belong to this Earth and not the other way around.

I also enjoyed how this lesson explains that totem animals choose us and we do not choose them just because we like a certain animal or think its “cool”. Lots of people do choose their totems for the wrong reasons and need to learn totems choose us and for a specific purpose. What’s also a good reminder is the lesson of patience when we are chosen. Something this fire sign has a hard time with every now and again.

Lesson 15 was great. Any lesson that shows how Christianity can work with other paths and how other paths are as valid is awesome. There has always been more than one faith and belief system. There have been many faiths prior to Christian times and it was good to read about the various forms in this lesson. I find it absurd how many Christians there are today who have been brainwashed into believing the “Christian faith is the only one true faith”. It is something that truly upsets me especially since I am a Native American and a Pagan. I was raised Christian and have the background to compare.

I realize this will always be a heated topic and one that will probably never have a resolution. I’m just thankful there are those of us who believe the reasons and importance of having many faiths in this world we live.

I could continue on and on but realize we are limited here. I just want to thank the ULC for this course because I am actually rereading it again. This was a course well worth taking. 

Rev. Darlene Meehan

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics, as well as courses in Mystical Christianity, Buddhism and Comparative Religion. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.