http://www.singingtotheplants.com/2008/01/metachoric-experiences/ A Guide to Mestizo Shamanism in the Upper Amazon Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:33:35 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 http://www.singingtotheplants.com/2008/01/metachoric-experiences/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Jempe Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:55:00 +0000 http://www.singingtotheplants.com/2008/01/metachoric-experiences/#comment-36 I agree that it is useful to consider similarities between active imagination and shamanism. When I personally explored Jungian psychology (including a period of Jungian analysis) I found active imagination fascinating and easy to enter into, once I overcame the fear I was "just making it all up." When I began shamanic studies under a Shuar shaman, he encouraged me to actively relate to any being I might meet, asking he, she or it, "Who are you? What do you have to teach me? What do you want from me?" and even "Give me your power!" As with active imagination, when I first attempted this, I had questions about my experiences like, is this real or "just" my imagination? But when I put such questions aside and in a kind of leap of faith entered intentionally into the experience, allowing whatever would happen next to arise as it might, amazing and often extremely informative as well as healing encounters and journeys ensued. I agree--high level of intentionality, low level of control. Suspension of disbelief helps. I agree that it is useful to consider similarities between active imagination and shamanism. When I personally explored Jungian psychology (including a period of Jungian analysis) I found active imagination fascinating and easy to enter into, once I overcame the fear I was “just making it all up.” When I began shamanic studies under a Shuar shaman, he encouraged me to actively relate to any being I might meet, asking he, she or it, “Who are you? What do you have to teach me? What do you want from me?” and even “Give me your power!” As with active imagination, when I first attempted this, I had questions about my experiences like, is this real or “just” my imagination? But when I put such questions aside and in a kind of leap of faith entered intentionally into the experience, allowing whatever would happen next to arise as it might, amazing and often extremely informative as well as healing encounters and journeys ensued. I agree–high level of intentionality, low level of control. Suspension of disbelief helps.

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