Breaking Free from Wetiko: The Call of Shamanism
Shamanism is a countercultural way of life that invites us to decolonize ourselves from the over-culture—societal norms that prioritize conformity over individuality. It encourages us to reconnect with our unique essence and purpose, bringing us back to nature-based principles that celebrate diversity and foster a profound sense of belonging. Through shamanism, we awaken the sacred rebel within and rediscover our wildness.
The over-culture often seduces us into living less awake, homogenized lives, steering us away from our true blueprints. It discourages individuality, creativity, and rebellion, favoring conformity and ease over authenticity. Shamanism counters this by teaching that we do not need to be the same to belong. Instead, it invites us to remember our inherent connection to nature and our unique purpose.
What Does Shamanism Look Like Today?
In modern contexts, shamanism is both a life path and a healing modality. It nurtures a sense of connection with “all our relations,” which includes plants, animals, rocks, and even inanimate objects like homes and vehicles. This relational worldview encourages harmony and mutual respect with all aspects of life.
Unlike in the past, when shamans and medicine people often lived on the fringes of society, today they are integrated members of their communities. They have families, careers, and responsibilities while embodying their teachings and reminding others of life’s rhythms and cycles.
Central to shamanic teachings is awareness of Wetiko, a term from Indigenous wisdom that refers to a spiritual sickness rooted in greed, disconnection, and exploitation. Wetiko distorts our perceptions and leads us away from our true essence. Shamanism provides tools to identify and resist this influence, guiding us back to authenticity and wholeness.
Today’s shamans and medicine people are often dreamers, artists, gardeners, and healing arts practitioners. They are integrated into their communities, living their truths and creating spaces for others to reconnect with their true selves. They remind us to live in right relationship with the world, practicing reciprocity, respect, and connection.
Shamanism offers a pathway to rediscovering our individuality and sacred role in the web of life. It helps us reconnect with the rhythms of nature and our inherent wildness, offering a way of being that encourages belonging without sacrificing authenticity. In resisting the forces of Wetiko, we find the strength to live fully and embrace our unique place in the interconnected web of existence.
Modern shamans and medicine practitioners aim to embody their truth and live in alignment with their teachings. They remind themselves and others of life’s rhythms and the importance of living in right relationship with all beings. This means honoring the cycles of nature, respecting the interconnectedness of life, and practicing reciprocity in their relationships with the Earth and others.
Often, shamans today are dreamers, artists, gardeners, and healing arts practitioners. They believe in the power of waking up within the dream of the over-culture and staying vigilant against its seductions and pitfalls. By creating supportive communities, they foster a gentle return to our true essence, encouraging us to reconnect with our inherent wisdom and wildness.
The Journey Home
Shamanism offers a pathway to rediscovering our unique essence and living authentically in a world that often seeks to diminish it. It invites us to embrace our individuality, reconnect with the natural world, and remember our sacred role in the web of life. In this way, it is not only a healing practice but also a profound way of being—one that encourages us to belong fully, without compromising who we are.
