More Than One Path: Shamanic Journeying, Reiki, Meditation & Finding the Healing Method That Speaks to You
There is no single right way to explore healing and spiritual growth. Shamanic journeying, Reiki, meditation, trance healing and other practices can open different doors - sometimes toward surprisingly similar goals. In this Deep Dive, I share my own experiences and why I believe the most important thing is finding the path that speaks to you.
There Is More Than One Path
There are so many different spiritual and healing methods available to us.
Shamanic journeying. Reiki. Meditation. Trance healing. Energy healing. Inner child work. Past life regression. Intuition development. Chakra work, and so on.
Sometimes people discover one method and feel, this is my way. And for others, it feels right to explore different paths and methods - and that is absolutely right too.
For me, I have always been curious and felt drawn to many different methods. I wanted to learn, explore, and understand them.
My spiritual journey really started to become more serious when I discovered Reiki, but over the years I continued learning many other methods as well.
And one thing I have learned is that different methods can sometimes lead us toward very similar goals. The experience may be different, the technique may be different, and one method may work much better for one person than another.
So the important question is often not:
Which healing method is the best?
But rather:
What am I trying to experience, understand or heal - and most importantly, what am I drawn to right now
Hi, my name is Daniela. I am a Reiki Master/Teacher, shamanic practitioner, course creator, and lifelong student of spiritual and personal growth. I love exploring different healing methods and sharing what I have learned along the way.
What About Shamanic Journeying?
I just received an email from someone who had taken my shamanic journeying course. He told me that he finally found a method that helped him open up his third eye and inner perception more easily than meditation alone. For him, the drumming music seemed to be the key.
I often describe shamanic journeying as being a little like meditation, but with the help of rhythmic drumming to enter a light trance and journey within.
I first learned shamanic journeying in Germany around 2002. Before my teacher wanted to teach me anything, she first did some shamanic healing work with me.
I watched her very closely.
She also told me not to try shamanic journeying by myself yet.
Of course, I didn't listen.
I put on the drumming music, lay down, covered my eyes and waited. I didn’t even really know what I was supposed to do anyway.
At first, absolutely nothing happened.
Then suddenly I felt as though I were on a slide, moving deeper and deeper into what I called the Under World, often also called the Lower World in shamanic journeying.
Everything happened very quickly.
And then I saw my power animal.
At the time, I didn't even realize what had happened. I didn't know that this was my power animal - and honestly, I don't even remember if I knew back then that we could have a power animal.
Afterward, I started reading because I wanted to understand my experience, and I found descriptions that were incredibly similar to what I had just experienced.
The whole experience felt strangely familiar, almost as though I had done something like this before. I even wondered whether it could be connected to a past life.
It was easy, fast, and the pictures were clear, even though they moved very quickly.
Shamanic drumming still relaxes me very quickly. My mind becomes quieter, and after listening for a while, images often begin to appear.
But that doesn't mean every journey happens the same way.
Sometimes I simply allow the images to come by themselves.
Sometimes I imagine a landscape first and begin moving through it.
Most of the time, I think it is actually a mixture of both. And that is perfectly okay.
Imagination Is Not the Enemy
One of the biggest concerns people have when learning spiritual practices is:
"What if I'm just imagining it?"
My answer is:
imagination can be the doorway.
I don't think we need to separate imagination and intuitive perception as strictly as people sometimes try to do.
Maybe at first you imagine a forest.
Maybe you imagine walking down a path.
Maybe you think you are "making it up."
Keep going. Over time, something may suddenly happen that surprises you.
An image appears that you weren't expecting.
A person arrives. An animal appears. A feeling comes over you. You simply know something.
Sometimes something makes no sense at all until later.
That is often when people begin to notice the difference between consciously creating an image and receiving something that seems to arrive on its own.
But even then, I don't believe we need to fight with ourselves about whether something was imagined or "real."
Imagination is an incredible tool for exploring the inner world.
What If You Can't See Inner Pictures?
You do not have to see beautiful, crystal-clear landscapes to journey successfully.
Some people see images very clearly.
Others feel.
Some receive thoughts.
Others experience emotions, physical sensations, or simply a sense of knowing.
During my own journeys, pictures can sometimes appear incredibly fast, and even my sense of time and space can feel different.
But if you don't see anything, that doesn't mean nothing is happening.
One thing I often tell my students is:
If you could see something right now, what would you see?
Or:
What do you think might be there?
That simple question can sometimes open the door.
And if you are struggling, sometimes the best thing is to stop trying so hard to have an experience.
Put on the drumming music. Relax. Listen.
Don't expect anything. Just become familiar with the feeling first.
Intention Comes First
For me, intention is one of the most important parts of spiritual work.
Before I begin a shamanic journey, I decide why I am doing it.
Maybe:
I want to journey to the Under World and meet my power animal.
Or:
I want to meet my inner healer.
Or perhaps I am looking for guidance about a particular situation.
Setting an intention is like telling your inner world - or your subconscious mind - what you want to explore.
Then you let go.
You don't have to force the experience.
You can imagine a landscape if that helps you, or simply follow whatever begins to appear naturally.
For me, it is often a mixture of both.
Everyone has to discover what works best for them.
And this brings me to something I think is even more important:
there is not only one way to reach these kinds of inner experiences.
You Don't Have to Do Shamanic Journeying
Shamanic journeying is a wonderful method.
But perhaps you hear shamanic drums and think:
No. This isn't for me.
Maybe you prefer softer, more ethereal music.
Maybe you prefer silence.
Maybe the whole shamanic approach simply does not feel right for you.
And that's okay. You don't have to do it.
Many of the intentions we work with through shamanic practice can also be approached through other spiritual and healing methods.
The method may be different, and I would not say that the experiences are exactly the same.
But there can be a lot of overlap.
Soul Retrieval and Healing Past Experiences
Soul Retrieval, for example, is a shamanic healing practice connected with retrieving parts of ourselves that may feel lost or disconnected after trauma, shock, grief or difficult experiences.
But if someone doesn't feel drawn to shamanic work, there are other ways to work with the past.
In Reiki Level 2, for example, we can work with past experiences and inner child healing.
The technique is different. The spiritual framework is different.
But the intention can be similar: bringing healing, awareness and energy to something from the past that still affects us today.
So if someone dislikes drumming or simply doesn't connect with the shamanic way of working, that doesn't mean they have no other option. They may connect beautifully with Reiki.
Meeting Your Higher Self
In my shamanic journeying course, “Shamanic Journeying in the Middle World,” we can journey with the intention of connecting with the Higher Self.
But you certainly don't need shamanic drumming to experience this.
You can connect with the Higher Self through meditation too.
I even have a Higher Self meditation in my free meditation course.
For one person, the drum may help the experience unfold very quickly.
For someone else, a slower guided meditation may feel much more natural.
The goal can be similar. The path is simply different.
Meeting Your Inner Healer
The same is true for meeting your inner healer. You can explore this through shamanic journeying. You can also meet your inner healer through meditation.
One method may bring vivid imagery.
Another may bring feelings.
Another may lead to emotional release or a quiet realization.
None of those experiences has to look exactly alike.
Connecting With Spirit Guides
People often associate meeting spirit guides with shamanic journeying, but again, this is not the only way.
Guided meditation can be wonderful for connecting with spirit guides.
Reiki can also create very intuitive experiences. People may receive images, impressions, feelings or a sense of guidance while giving or receiving Reiki.
Trance healing can open another doorway.
Other energy healing practices can lead to similar experiences.
What matters is what helps you connect.
Developing Intuition
If the real goal is stronger intuition or opening your inner perception, there are even more possibilities.
Shamanic journeying can certainly strengthen intuition.
So can Reiki.
Meditation can.
Energy work can.
Simply learning to become quiet enough to notice your own inner responses can.
And sometimes you don't need to focus on healing at all.
You may simply want to consciously train your intuitive abilities.
That is one of the reasons I created my Boost Your Intuition course.
Which Method Should You Choose?
I can't tell you exactly which method is best for you.
Nobody really can.
But you can begin by noticing how you feel when you think about a particular method.
Imagine Reiki.
How does your body respond? Do you feel relaxed? Curious? Do you feel an inner "yes"?
Now think about shamanic journeying.
Are you fascinated by it? Does the drum attract you? Do you want to know what it feels like? Or do you immediately feel that it isn't for you?
Pay attention to those responses. I believe we are often guided toward what we need at a particular time.
Sometimes it happens through a book that suddenly appears in our life.
Sometimes we keep hearing about a certain method.
Sometimes we see something while scrolling online and can't stop thinking about it.
Sometimes we simply feel drawn to learn more. Follow that curiosity.
Try More Than One Door
I love trying different methods and learning new things. Do you?
If meditation feels impossible for you, maybe try Reiki.
If Reiki feels too quiet or boring, perhaps you would love shamanic journeying.
If you are very visual, guided meditation might work beautifully.
If you respond strongly to rhythm, the shamanic drum may help you enter a trance state much more quickly.
And yes, you can combine methods too.
Spiritual practices do not always need to live in separate boxes.
You can use Reiki during a shamanic journey. For example, during a Soul Retrieval, you might send the part you have found love and light through Reiki.
You can bring Reiki into meditation too, for example when you want to clear and activate your chakras.
You can also combine energy healing with visualization.
You might work with different colours and simply ask your body: What colour do you need today? Then notice what comes to mind.
Explore. See what happens.I know there are healing systems that say you should not mix certain methods.
Whether that is always a fact, I honestly cannot say.
For me, it comes back to learning, experiencing, and finding out what works best for you.
And when it comes to spiritual work, I think it is always worth asking ourselves:
What feels true and helpful in my own experience, rather than simply accepting something because someone else says it must be done a certain way?
And that also applies to what I am writing and teaching here.
Don't simply take my word for everything either.
Ask yourself. Try things out. Notice how they feel for you, and find your own way.
I am here to share ideas, experiences, and tools - and hopefully to empower you to discover your own path.
Start With the Goal
Sometimes it helps to ask yourself what you actually want.
If you feel deeply lost or disconnected from yourself, shamanic healing - including Soul Retrieval - may speak strongly to you.
If you mainly want relaxation, Reiki or meditation may be wonderful.
If you want to feel stronger energetically, chakra meditation or energy work may appeal to you.
For deep emotional work, I personally love trance healing.
If you want to develop intuition, many different practices can support you.
If you want to help others, Reiki, shamanic healing and other forms of energy healing can all become beautiful tools.
Even in business, intuition work and inner healing can be helpful when we want to understand fears, beliefs or internal blocks that may be holding us back.
Relationships can also benefit from Reiki and inner healing work.
These are not rigid rules. They are possibilities. Your experience may be completely different from mine.
Sometimes Healing Is Quiet
We also need to stop expecting every healing experience to be spectacular.
Yes, sometimes healing can be very emotional.
Sometimes shamanic work can move incredibly quickly.
Sometimes you may temporarily feel different, emotional, cold, unsettled or as though something inside you has shifted.
Other times you notice almost nothing. And then four weeks later you suddenly realize: Something changed.
Maybe you respond differently to a situation.
Maybe something that used to upset you doesn't have the same power anymore.
Maybe you make a decision you were previously afraid to make.
Maybe you feel more peaceful.
The funny thing is that people sometimes forget the healing session completely.
They say nothing happened.
Then I meet them later and hear about a huge change in their life.
They simply didn't connect the change with the inner work they had done weeks earlier.
Is There a Most Powerful Method?
I have learned many different methods over the years.
Reiki. Shamanic journeying. Past life regression. Trance healing. Different energy healing systems and attunements. Transpersonal psychology. NLP methods. Meditation. Intuition work. And I love learning.
So, is there one method that is more powerful than all the others?
Honestly, I don't know. The more I have learned, the more I feel that every method has something different to offer.
Some may work better for certain people, certain goals, or certain times in our lives.
But if you ask me what has become most important to me personally, my answer is actually a little different.
Awareness.
For Me, It All Comes Back to Awareness
If you ask me which method I like the most, I honestly don't know. I like all of them.
Sometimes I feel drawn to Reiki. Sometimes to shamanic journeying. Sometimes meditation, Tarot, energy work, magic, or something completely different.
It often depends on what I want to explore or work on at that moment.
For me, they are all parts of a bigger whole.
But if you ask me what is most important to me personally, I would say awareness.
Learning to observe yourself.
Observe your thoughts.
Notice your emotions.
Notice your reactions.
Notice the beliefs that sit underneath them.
I also find it fascinating to observe how people think and how differently we can experience the exact same situation depending on our beliefs, memories, expectations, and subconscious patterns.
The more aware we become, the more we can begin to recognize thoughts and beliefs that keep us stuck in the same loops - and then we have the opportunity to transform them.
For me, one of the most powerful parts of spiritual development is learning to bring the conscious mind and subconscious mind more into harmony, instead of having one part of us wanting something while another hidden part keeps pulling us in a different direction.
And this is where all these different methods can help.
Reiki can help us slow down and connect with ourselves.
Shamanic journeying can help us explore the inner world.
Meditation can teach us to observe.
Tarot can reflect something back to us that we may not have noticed before.
Energy healing, trance work, magic, intuition work - they can all become tools for awareness, exploration, healing, and transformation.
For me, none of these methods stands completely on its own.
They are different doors into the same much bigger journey of learning about ourselves.
You Don't Need to Constantly Fix Yourself
I also think spiritual work can sometimes become too focused on finding the next blockage.
What do I need to heal?
What is wrong with me?
What should I release next?
For me, becoming aware is more important.
When awareness changes, many blocks begin to transform naturally with it.
Of course, I am human too.
I am still learning.
I am not sure we ever need to reach a point where we know everything or have healed everything.
Maybe it is more about remembering that, at our core, we are already whole.
Over time, we simply learn to let go of some of the masks, old patterns, and limiting beliefs that keep us going around in the same loops.
And perhaps that is the real goal.
To become more conscious.
More aware.
More connected with ourselves.
To recognize what no longer serves us.
And to keep learning, growing, and becoming more of who we truly are.
The Journey Never Really Ends
Whether we are talking about shamanic journeying or our own spiritual journey through life, a journey is a journey.
There is always more to explore, experience, and learn.
Maybe we all begin as seekers.
Then, little by little, we become explorers. We try things. We ask questions. We follow what interests us.
Then we become students. We learn, practice, experience, and begin to understand more deeply.
At some point, we may become practitioners.
And sometimes, without even planning it, we become teachers and begin sharing what we have learned with others.
I think that is something wonderful.
We don't need to know everything.
We simply keep collecting experiences, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge along the way.
And when this life is over, perhaps we take some of that with us into the next one.
Maybe that is why some people feel strangely familiar with certain methods right from the beginning.
Shamanic journeying may feel completely natural to them, or working with healing hands may simply feel like something they already know how to do.
Perhaps we carry these experiences into another life - or into whatever comes afterward.
I don't know exactly what comes next. I can only speak from my own experiences and say that, for me, there are reasons to believe there may be more after this life in this body.
But who really knows for sure?
I simply love the idea that nothing we truly learn, experience, or become is ever wasted.
Maybe it stays with our soul and our energy, almost like an imprint, and somehow becomes part of who we are as we continue our journey from one life to another.
For me, that simply makes sense.
Follow the Path That Calls
You If you feel drawn to shamanic journeying, explore it.
If you feel drawn to Reiki, explore Reiki.
If meditation keeps calling you, meditate.
If trance healing fascinates you, learn about it.
And if something doesn't feel right for you, you don't have to force it simply because it worked beautifully for somebody else.
There may simply be another doorway waiting for you. Your spiritual path does not have to look like anyone else's.
Keep seeking.
Keep exploring.
Keep learning.
Listen to yourself.
Stay curious.
And follow the path that gives you that quiet inner feeling:
Yes. I want to explore this.
