Discover a personal path to walking this world with a vision of respect, honor, and balance, and recognize the power of both the seen and unseen. Journey into Shamanic Spirituality, where you can explore a sacred connection to all things.
Here in Central Texas, we enter the time of year colloquially known as The Dog Days of Summer. At this time, many of us are looking to spend our time in the Air Conditioning, the shade, or cool water. It can be very draining to participate in physical activity in the heat. We sometimes envy our canine companions as they loll about. Hence ‘The Dog Days”.
An important part of our practice is service and it might be difficult to identify opportunities for service as we enter the long middle of things, represented by Summer. Bill has provided us with an article that might bring some ideas into focus for us.
Shamanic Thinking: Who Do You Serve?
by Bill
Years ago I saw a movie called ‘The Secret’. It taught how the ‘law of attraction’ could
manifest our desires through our will. I watched as the subject of the video manifested his deepest desire – a multi-million dollar house on the beach. I couldn’t help but think, “That’s it? With that kind of power, all he wanted was a big house? How about a cure for cancer, or an end to soul crushing poverty, or even world peace?”
Our indigenous brothers and sisters tell about two kinds of Shaman. One works for the
tribe. The other works for themselves and preys on the tribe. Both are spiritually powerful
but their goals are different. In the movie, it came down to who he served – himself or the
community. We live in a stunted and fearful ‘meritocracy’ where people kill themselves for big houses, big jobs, and big salaries to assure themselves they are ‘big’ people, ‘winners’ not ‘losers’, and safe from shame. Along the way they become a tribe of one.
Our shamanic practice is about serving others, not in place of ourselves but in balance
with ourselves. In serving the community, we get a precious gift in return. We’re lifted out
of the meritocratic rat race and inhabit our place in the world without shame or fear. We
become our best selves by serving the community and can relax in the world. We meet in Circle every week and end with gratitude to and a blessing for the community. That’s to remind everyone which kind of Shamanism we’re practicing.
At this time of year, we are each encouraged to take a look at how we can serve our community in balance with serving ourselves.
The Leadership Team for the Shamanic Community of Austin
Learn More
We are partnering with The Shamanic Passages Institute to offer two virtual introductory courses especially designed for those new and relatively new to the shamanic journey. Council member Gerry Starnes, M.Ed., author and creator of the Institute, is offering a special 20% discount on two foundational courses. See the blog regarding Journey Courses For Beginners for more information.
The Shamanic Community of Austin website also has an educational library under the Resources page. You can find links to books by leading shamanic teachers and leaders.
The Leadership Council is working towards providing educational online videos for both new and continuing members to learn about our core values and mission. We are also looking to present our leadership team to the community through online videos to express each unique practice, expertise, and shamanic view.
Join the Shamanic Community of Austin Meetup site to keep up with all current event listings and to RSVP. We ask that you RSVP with integrity. A solid head-count before each event helps us better plan and better serve the entire community.
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