Life exists in three different realms, or planes. We have a light plane, a shadow plane, and a physical plane, comprised of the overlapping of the prior two. The light and shadow plane, respectively, are spiritual existences. They are exact opposites of each other. The only way to either of them is through the physical plane. This is where things become slightly complicated : life is comprised of 3 different states. We have a mental state, a physical state, and a spiritual state. They are comprised of our thoughts, our feelings, and our existence, respectively. Our physical state exists as our body. All of our emotions are byproducts of us having a body. Without a body, we would not have emotion. Our thoughts and memories are a combination of our spirit and our physical being. Much the same concept as the physical realm is the combination of the light and shadow realms. Our mental state exists where the two overlap. Without our mental state, we exist in a spirituality. We have thoughts and reason, separated from emotion and feeling.
This is where neo-Shamanism differs from modern religion. Modern religion is based off of emotion, faith, believing in something and striving for a common goal. Neo-Shamanism is based off of the implementation of the three states of existence to reach a personal goal. For instance, some of us wish to heal either ourselves, or those around us. For that purpose, one would study the implementation of the spirit and the mind to heal the physical. Some others wish for knowledge, and understanding. For that reason, they study the implementation of the spiritual with the physical to gain understanding of the world around them. In my case, I long for the elemental. I study the physical and the mental in regards to the spiritual.
My purpose is to learn the properties of the elements, to meet the elementals, and to learn how they work together in our world.
Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. The four most well known elements. Everything can be comprised of these four elements in some combination. We as people are comprised mostly of water, and molded from clay (according to many beliefs). We go "from dust to dust" for a reason. We are comprised of water and earth. Yet, there is warmth in our bodies (fire) and we survive because of the air around us. We exist in harmony with the 4 elements. Now considered a cold-blooded animal, like a snake or a turtle. They sunbathe to keep their bodies warm, because they don't have the proper control over the fire element in their bodies to do it themselves. Now take a look at fish. They can not survive very well outside of the water. Their bodies are comprised of earth and water, yet they are designed to "breath water." Their weakness is the air.
These concepts hold very true for life itself. These four elements are the foundation of understanding. However, there is more to this existence that just these four elements. But we will cover that later.
Life is a journey. We all travel down our own paths. Neo-shamanism chose me when I was in middle school, and I've been following it's call ever since. I am not a great Shaman master, as many would wish to have you think. However, I do have some experience under my belt. My goal is simply to provide insight into the way of the neo-Shaman for those who are interested.
I am preparing to start another series of blogs to cover the three realms of existence as best as I can. Shortly after I will start a questions and answers blog, so get ready :-) Feel free to e-mail me at malicia.capo@yahoo.com with any questions you might have.
May your own, individual faiths guide you in your journeys.
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