What Is Shamanic Journeying? A Beginner’s Guide

What Is Shamanism?

Before we go further into shamanic journeying, it might help to talk a little about shamanism itself.

Shamanic practices can be found in different forms around the world.
Different cultures have their own practices, rituals, beliefs and ways of understanding the spiritual world.

So when we talk about shamanism, we are not talking about one single practice that looks exactly the same everywhere.

Nature also plays an important role in many shamanic practices. Animals, plants, stones and the elements can all become part of the spiritual work.

In my own experience, this connection with nature is also part of what makes shamanic work so beautiful. And you don't have to live somewhere deep in the wilderness to experience that connection. I certainly don't. 😄

What Is a Shaman?

This is a little more difficult to answer because what it means to be a shaman can differ between cultures and traditions.

One of the things I was taught many years ago is that a person doesn't necessarily just decide:
“Okay, I'm a shaman now.” 😄

Sometimes other people recognize someone in this role because of the person's own healing journey, what they have learned through their experiences, and the work they do to help others.

I was also taught that often there is a personal healing journey behind this work.
Someone may have gone through difficult experiences themselves, learned through their own healing, and later used what they learned to help others.

In some cultures and traditions, there are also particular initiations, teachings and responsibilities connected with becoming or being recognized as a shaman. These can be very different from one culture to another.
So there isn't one simple definition that fits every tradition around the world.

Do You Have to Be a Shaman to Practice Shamanic Journeying?

No.
And I think this is important.

You don't have to call yourself a shaman to learn shamanic practices.
Shamanic journeying is something you can learn and experience for yourself.

 This is how I approach my own work as well. I learned shamanic methods from my teacher in Germany and continued practicing, experiencing and teaching what I learned over many years.

For me, the title isn't the important part.
The experience is.
Learn the practice.
Have your own experiences.
Pay attention to what you discover.
And see whether this way of working feels right for you.

You don't have to be a shaman - or be called a shaman - to learn and practice shamanic methods.
And while drumming is my favourite way to journey, it isn't the only way shamanic practices can use rhythm and altered states of awareness. Rattles, music, singing and dancing can also be used. 

What Is a Power Animal?

Why I Recommend Finding Your Power Animal First

From my experience, finding your Power Animal is a wonderful place to begin.

Later, your Power Animal may accompany you on other journeys.
You might run together.
You might ride on it.
You might fly with it.
It may take you somewhere very quickly or lead you toward something you need to find.

And sometimes it may not show up at all.
Maybe it thinks: You can do this one yourself. You don't need me. 😄

Again, there are no rigid rules.

My First Shamanic Journey - When I Didn't Listen to My Teacher 

I first learned shamanic work in Germany from a German teacher who had learned from other teachers practicing shamanic work.
 She had already done several journeys for me, including energy work and work involving parts of the soul.  

During these sessions, I had to lie down and cover my eyes. But, of course, I could still see a tiny bit through a little slit in the eye cover, so I secretly watched what she was doing. 😄  
I couldn't see much, and honestly, I didn't really understand what she was doing anyway.  
She would do something around me, clearing my aura, and then she would lie down beside me and cover her own eyes.

I could feel that something was shifting, but I had no idea what was actually happening.  

I just knew one thing:  I wanted to learn this.  

She told me not to journey by myself yet.  I needed to learn how first.  

Of course, I didn't listen. 😄 
 
I hadn't read books about shamanic journeying.
I didn't know I was supposed to set a clear intention.
I didn't know about the different worlds or really how any of this was supposed to work.  

Basically, I had no idea what I was doing.  

I simply lay down, covered my eyes and put on the CD with the drumming.

 Nothing happened.
Black.  
Boring.  
So I waited.  
I became more and more relaxed.  

At some point, I remembered hearing that you could journey to find your Power Animal.  So I thought in my mind:  Okay, I want to find my Power Animal.  

But honestly, I didn't really take it seriously. 😄 I didn't know what a Power Animal was supposed to look like, how I was supposed to find one, or whether anything would happen at all.  

And then, suddenly, everything seemed to happen by itself.  
I had the sensation of being pulled or sliding downward, deep into the earth. I remember seeing something like roots.  It was a little unsettling -not exactly frightening, but certainly unexpected.  

Then I landed somewhere. Of course, not physically. It was happening in my mind, but it felt like I had arrived somewhere.  

And I saw part of an animal.  Then another part.  I saw it three times before I finally saw the whole animal.  Wow. Nice animal...  

I could tell you what it was, but I don't want you to know my power. 😄  
And actually, I think your Power Animal can be something quite personal, so I'll keep mine to myself.  

But here was the funny part:
 I didn't even realize that the animal I was seeing might be my Power Animal.  
By that point, everything had become so unexpected and surprising that I had completely forgotten about the intention I had set only a little while earlier. 😄  
I was simply watching what was happening and trying to make sense of it.  Everything happened incredibly fast.

Eventually, the drumming changed and seemed to call me back.  
When I returned to normal awareness, I was confused, amazed and wondering what had just happened.  

And then I had to go and pick up my daughter from school. 😄  
I walked there - it was only around 15 minutes. In Germany, you don't always need to drive somewhere to reach your destination... just saying. 😄  
Part of my walk went through an area with nature near the River Elbe.  
And there it was.  The animal I had just seen in my inner vision.  
Why was it there?  In the middle of the city?  

On the way home, I saw it again.  And my daughter saw it too. We were both so excited!  
Unfortunately, back then I didn't have a phone with a camera in my pocket like we all do today. So I couldn't just pull out my phone and take a picture.  You'll just have to take my word for it. 😂  

What If I Don't See Anything?

I have had students tell me:

“I just see darkness.”

And my answer is:
That's okay.
It happens to me too sometimes.
When that happens, I wait.
I listen to the drums.
I remind myself of my intention.
And I stop expecting something to happen.

Sometimes stress makes it harder for me to settle into a journey.
If that happens to you, simply spend some time listening to the drums.
Maybe try again another day.
You could even listen every day for several days without trying to accomplish anything.

And remember: You don't always have to see.
Sometimes you simply know.
People naturally differ in how vividly they can create mental images.
Some people experience extremely vivid inner pictures, while others experience very little visual imagery at all.

Pay attention to thoughts, feelings, sensations and that simple sense of knowing.
Perhaps instead of seeing the Under World clearly, you suddenly think: I'm there. Okay. What happens next?

If completely unguided journeying is difficult, a guided journey can also be a wonderful place to start. That's one reason I created guided experiences for beginners.

You can deliberately imagine the place at first. Let imagination open the door.

And if you have tried repeatedly over a longer period and this practice simply doesn't connect with you?
Maybe it isn't the right practice for you.
Only you can discover that.

Intention Changes Everything

You can have the drumming.
You can relax.
You can cover your eyes.
But without an intention, you may simply wander around your inner world like one of those chaotic dreams we sometimes have at night.

Before I journey, I set one clear intention.
Depending on your beliefs, you may also invite your Spirit Guides, helpers, Creator, God or whatever spiritual presence feels appropriate to you.

For example: I invite the guides and helpers I trust to accompany and protect me as I journey to the Under World with the intention of finding my Power Animal.

Or your intention might be to receive insight about a particular question.

Keep it simple. Especially when you're beginning, one journey, one intention is enough. 

Is Shamanic Journeying Just Meditation?

Yes.
And no. 😄
There is definitely overlap.

You can experience a shamanic journey through a guided meditation, with drumming, relaxing music or sometimes without music.

I've even noticed that some people who struggle with ordinary guided meditation respond very well when repetitive drumming is playing in the background.

But if you want to experience journeying in the way I came to love it, try removing most of the guidance.

• Set your intention.
• Cover your eyes.
• Listen to the drums.
• And let the journey happen.

Nobody is telling you what you're supposed to see next. That's part of what makes it so interesting. 

How Can Shamanic Journeying Help Everyday Life?

First of all?
It makes life more interesting. 😄 

Sometimes our everyday lives become work, appointments, dishes, bills and the same routines again and again.
Exploring your inner world can bring back a sense of curiosity and wonder.

But there can also be more practical benefits. 
Simply taking time to relax and release stress can be valuable.
Journeying may also help you become more aware of beliefs, emotions and old experiences that continue to influence your life.
Perhaps you discover beliefs around relationships.
Money. Self-worth. Fear. Something from childhood. Or something you hadn't consciously thought about for years.

Does clearing a “money blockage” mean you will suddenly become rich?
I can't promise that. If it worked that easily, I think I would be a millionaire by now. 😂

But becoming aware of a hidden belief may allow you to question it and make different choices in everyday life.

For me, journeying can also help develop intuition, connect with my Higher Self or spiritual helpers, release emotions, regain a sense of inner strength and notice things I might otherwise overlook.

I experience much of this on an energetic, spiritual and subconscious level.

I can't scientifically explain every shift I've experienced.
Sometimes something simply changes.
And sometimes a little magic in life is worth experiencing too. 

Is Shamanic Journeying Safe?

One of the most important things I teach is:
 Remember that you are in control.  

Shamanic journeying takes place within your inner experience.

Just like in dreams or meditation, sometimes unexpected images, feelings or thoughts may appear.  

If something feels uncomfortable, you don't have to continue with it.  
You can change direction, return to where you started, open your eyes or simply stop the drumming.  

You are always allowed to stop.  

Before I journey, I also ask for guidance and protection according to my own spiritual beliefs.

You can do this in whatever way fits your own beliefs.  

I don't recommend beginning a journey when you are already extremely fearful and expecting something terrible to happen.

Our emotions and expectations can influence what we experience in our inner world.  

On the other hand, intentionally exploring fears, emotions or deeper personal issues can also become part of shamanic journeying, but I consider that more advanced work.  

When you are beginning, keep it simple.

Learn how journeying feels, explore your inner world and don't put pressure on yourself.  
If journeying or meditation makes you distressed or overwhelmed, stop and reconnect with your surroundings.

If you have a medical or mental-health condition that you believe could be affected by meditation or altered-state practices, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional first.  

Shamanic journeying is a spiritual practice and should not replace medical or psychological care.

How Long Should a Shamanic Journey Last?

 I generally think around 30 minutes or less is plenty, whether you are a beginner or have been journeying for years.

A shamanic journey can be a little like dreaming when it comes to our sense of time.
You may come back feeling as though you have experienced so much and must have been gone for a very long time - only to realize that hardly any time has passed at all.

Our experience of time and space can feel very different in this kind of inner state.

You can decide to return at any time simply by setting the intention:
It's time to come back.

In many shamanic drumming tracks, including the one I created for myself and for you in my course, the rhythm changes toward the end and becomes faster, signalling that it is time to return.

For me, it can feel as though I am moving very quickly back through the journey - climbing, running or flying back toward where I began.

Then I bring my awareness back to the room.
Afterward, take a little time to ground yourself.

Drink some water.
Walk around.
Eat something.
Chocolate works too. 🍫😄

And especially: Write your journey down.
Journey experiences can be very dreamlike.
Something that seems unforgettable immediately afterward may become surprisingly difficult to remember later.

Write down what you saw, felt, thought, heard or simply knew.

Over time, your journal can become an important part of your journeying practice.
You may begin to notice symbols, patterns or connections that you didn't recognize when they first appeared.

Do I Have to Believe in Spirit Guides?

If the whole idea of shamanic journeying sounds completely ridiculous to you, you probably aren't going to wake up tomorrow thinking:

Today seems like a wonderful day to find my Power Animal. 😄

Most people who become interested in this practice already feel some kind of curiosity or calling toward it.

But you don't need to have every spiritual belief figured out before you begin.

You can simply experience it.

And if afterward you tell me:
“Daniela, I think everything I experienced just came from my subconscious.”

I might say:
Exactly. Maybe you're getting the point.

You can interpret your experience spiritually.
You can interpret it symbolically.
You can explore it through the subconscious mind.
Or perhaps your understanding will change over time.

You don't need me to decide that for you.

The Biggest Beginner Mistake: Expectations

If I had to choose one thing that makes journeying unnecessarily difficult, it would be:  Expectations.

 But let me explain what I mean by that.  
There is nothing wrong with lying down and trusting that you are going to journey and that something will happen.
I actually think that kind of trust can be helpful.  

What can get in the way is having a fixed expectation of what your journey should look like, what should happen, or how it should unfold.  

So trust that the journey will come - but stay open to how it comes.  

Don't expect a colourful movie.  
Don't expect your Power Animal to be a wolf.  
Don't expect something profound to happen immediately.  
And don't worry if your experience is completely different from somebody else's.  

Sometimes we also make journeying harder by trying too hard. We analyze every little image or thought, compare our journey with someone else's, or start questioning everything while it is still happening.  

And before we know it, we decide:  I'm doing it wrong.  

But what does “wrong” actually mean?  

Your journey doesn't have to look like mine- or anybody else's.  

Another teacher may also teach shamanic journeying differently from me.  That's okay.  What I teach comes from what I was taught, what I have experienced myself, and what I have learned through years of practicing and teaching.  

Maybe I do some things differently from the books.  Honestly, I don't know. 😄  And I'm okay with that.  

I'm teaching you a way - not THE way.  

Try it.  
Experience it.  
Learn from your journeys.  
Listen to your inner guidance.  
And gradually discover what works for you.

If I Could Do My First Journey Again...

Ready to Experience Shamanic Journeying for Yourself?