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8 A Journal of Contemporary Shamanism VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2 FALL 2013 That level of enthusiasm makes it easy to see the common thread that ties many ancient beliefs together but also makes it easy to overlook the qualities that make each culture unique. There is a haste and material preoccupation inherent in western culture that drives many people to reject it in search of a slower more natural wisdom. This drive brings many to explore shaman- ism. There are several examples of people bringing the haste and preoccupation to shamanism instead of escaping it. Fraud delu- sion greed and exploitation have plagued the shamanic community from its inception. This is why many indigenous people react with wary caution to the mention of shamanism. It is really a natu- ral response to those who may practice taking wisdom from a culture and it happens enough to create a protective attitude. Ideas of monetizing commodifying marketing and trading these spiritual practices gets rejected out of hand by Natives because they are all clear markers of western thought and culture. I have come to understand that this rejection out of hand is a mistake. It is true that shamanism as a word carries with it the legacy of those who have abused it but it also has brought atten- tion to ideas and principles that are vital to the survival of our species. There are very good reasons that drove the tribal people of North America to preserve their traditions. Many indigenous people recognize that these traditions share a common resonance with the world and with life as it is lived. The ceremony and practice of these traditions bring a wealth of practical knowledge to the way we live life and honor our surroundings. We rec- ognize that we would not have survived if it were not for these teachings. There is also a recognition that many of the worlds ills would be healed by the application of that wisdom. Native Americans are not alone in this recognition by any means. There is a struggle worldwide to preserve not only our physical environ- ment but also our mental and spiritual environment. Shamanism has a great capacity to contribute to this col- lective effort simply due to the nature of its popularity and perspective on common threads of wisdom. It is not by divining what practice can be collected or gem of wisdom recorded but by reaching into our own experience and offering forth what resonates what contributes. In this way a spirit of coopera- tion and understanding will be fostered. This is the foundation of a true exchange. The knowledge passed from one culture to another can be received with reciprocity. There is no need to abandon our personal culture or past experience and co-opt the identity of another. By way of example the value is lost if you try to perform an authentic Din sweat lodge ceremony when you are not Din but there is tremendous value in learning to sweat with a Din . By intentionally fostering reciprocity and with a great deal of humility patience dedication and effort a real level of understanding can take place. From this place it is possible to foster new traditions for ourselves and community. I have learned this by interacting and observing many sha- manic practitioners and concluding that there are at least two distinct approaches. One approach is to collect and commodify spiri- tual practices and pass them along as authentic indigenous teachings. Without the appropriate cultural background and lacking reciproc- ity and humility these practices only offer a veneer of wisdom and lack a depth of understanding. In the end they only serve to dimin- ish the spiritual practice in the larger context of the world and in many cases damage the culture they derive from. The other approach is marked by the active participation of the originating culture. There is an obvious reciprocity that doesnt just involve a few isolated people claiming to be bearers of indigenous wisdom but instead entire families or villages. It is rare for any group of people to reach 100 consensus but the involvement of increasingly larger groups is powerful. This ap- proach helps to nurture not only the preservation and exchange of indigenous wisdom but lays the groundwork for new tradi- tions to emerge that allow people from different cultures to grow together. This is how the tribes of North America have been coming together for the past several generations. I have learned that there are many shamanic practitioners in the world who may have begun in a self-centered way but learned that there is a more nurturing way that leads to a deeper richer understanding of life and the spiritual practices that shamanism recognizes. I struggled with the term shamanism because of all this confusion both within the indigenous com- munity and within the shamanic community about its value and purpose. I now recognize that shamanism has a large following consisting of many people who do not want to participate in cultural appropriation in their quest for a deeper relationship with life but instead would welcome a healthy exchange based on reciprocity respect honor and gratitude. There are a growing number of opportunities to practice shamanism through educa- tion and exchange and I intend to contribute with caution and hope. I welcome you to join me in this pursuit and direct your interest in shamanism into a contribution to the preservation of indigenous wisdom. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ben Boomer has been bridging gaps since his childhood as a Din hybrid on the Navajo reservation. He works integrating technology and digital communications into the world around us and practices a lifestyle that fosters a connection to the spirit that is the essence of our reality. He lives and laughs with his wife and stepson in Phoenix Arizona and can be contacted at Benrootphoenix.com.___________________________________ Photo by Sara Messier