LEARNING TO BE A SHAMAN  (Part 2)

- The Shaman and the Ego -

by Dennis Gaumond

To be an effective shaman, there are many personal qualities or character traits that are very useful, if not essential. We have already discussed the idea that a good shaman is both a leader and a servant. In this segment we're going to talk about another shamanic quality - the ability to let go of ego-consciousness and to embrace unity-consciousness.

Someone who acts and perceives from the perspective of ego-consciousness is someone who has a limiting sense of self, drawing distinct boundaries between themselves and others. Ego-consciousness is the opposite of unity-consciousness. Someone who acts and perceives from the perspective of unity-consciousness has an understanding that there are no such distinct boundaries - that they are cells in a greater body, sub-systems of a greater system. They are aware that they are integrally connected to all other cells in the system. Such a person does not define themselves by their wants and desires or by their belief systems. They are truly open-minded and do not cling to their version of reality as being 'written in stone'. They understand that reality is a product of consciousness, and not the other way around.

A shaman who is rooted in unity-consciousness does not judge others by their actions, knowing that ultimately there is no difference between that other person and themselves. We are all connected. This perspective is based on not only a logical, left-brained understanding, but also on an experiential, right-brained understanding - an inner knowing.

For most of us, when we think of someone who is acting out of ego-consciousness, we picture someone who may be arrogant, self-centered, attention-getting, etcetera. We say that so-and-so 'has a big ego'. These characteristics of ego-consciousness are obvious and easy to see. But the ego is a trickster and there are many characteristics that are more subtle and difficult to see. For example, someone who appears to be completely selfless, sacrificing their own joy for the joy of others and giving so much of themselves that they end up depleted and drained - such a person is also acting out of ego-consciousness. When one harms oneself, one harms the collective. If we are all cells in the same body, then it makes no sense to deplete the energy of one cell in order to feed another. It is wiser to find a way to feed all cells, including that one that we call 'self'. A shaman acting for the greater good would never sacrifice his/her joy and power.

DATE                       CITY                        TOPIC                        VENUE                      
_____________________________________________________________________________
WED., MAY 7/08        Guelph,                   Guelph                      Unitarian Church
7:45 to 9:30 pm        Ontaro                    Chant Club

The Unitarian Church is on the corner of
Harris and York Streets in Guelph.

For more Detailed directions, check out guelph-unitarians.ca

WATERLOO CHANT CLUB