The Shaman: “The One Who Knows.”
An Ancient Practice Awakening in the 21st Century
An Ancient Practice Awakening in the 21st Century
The word “shaman” is used casually today — in esoteric circles, at yoga retreats, and even in everyday conversations about self-development. Yet few people know its correct pronunciation: “sha-maan” (with the stress on the second syllable). Its roots go deep into the Evenki language of the indigenous peoples of Siberia, where it literally meant “the one who knows” — a person possessing special knowledge inaccessible to ordinary people.
Shamanism as a phenomenon was first documented by Europeans in the 17th–18th centuries in Siberia. Russian travelers and missionaries, encountering the rituals of indigenous peoples, brought back stories of “sorcerers” who communicated with spirits. Later, archaeologists and ethnographers discovered traces of similar practices all over the world — from the Siberian tundra to the jungles of the Amazon, from the African savannas to the Australian bush.
Modern Perceptions of Shamans
Today, many people imagine a shaman either as a simple village herbal healer or as a mysterious mystic with a demonic gaze. In reality, a shaman is an ordinary person — man or woman — who voluntarily knows how to shift their state of consciousness. They step beyond ordinary reality to journey into other dimensions of existence: the worlds of spirits. There, they gain knowledge, power, and answers to important questions. Once the task is complete, the shaman returns “home” to our world and uses what they have received for the benefit of themselves and others.
The main feature that distinguishes shamanism from other spiritual practices is its strong emphasis on trance. In this altered state, the shaman’s soul travels through the three worlds of shamanic cosmology: the Upper World, the Middle World, and the Lower World.
An important point: the shaman does not work alone. They have spirit helpers — animals, ancestors, and elemental forces — who become allies, offer guidance, and provide protection. There are rare cases where a shaman’s soul was captured by spirits, but these are exceptions that highlight the power and responsibility involved in the practice.
The main feature that distinguishes shamanism from other spiritual practices is its strong emphasis on trance. In this altered state, the shaman’s soul travels through the three worlds of shamanic cosmology: the Upper World, the Middle World, and the Lower World.
An important point: the shaman does not work alone. They have spirit helpers — animals, ancestors, and elemental forces — who become allies, offer guidance, and provide protection. There are rare cases where a shaman’s soul was captured by spirits, but these are exceptions that highlight the power and responsibility involved in the practice.
Specialization and Core Mission
A shaman is not a universal “jack of all trades.” Many specialize: some master fire, others are known for "magical flight", and some focus on healing. And healing remains the most common specialization. The shaman seeks the cause of illness not in the physical body alone, but in a disruption of harmony with spirits or ancestors, and works to restore balance.
Women Shamans: From Antiquity to Today
In most traditional societies, shamans were men. However, women could — and did — become shamans. This was especially prominent in Mongolia before Chinese influence and the establishment of patriarchy: there, shamanism was almost exclusively a women’s practice. Even during Soviet times, when shamanism was persecuted, it was often women who secretly continued the tradition — they were less suspected.
In the 21st century, everything has changed. Since 2018–2019, humanity has entered a new spiral of spiritual awakening. Progress, gadgets, and urbanization have distanced us from nature, awakening in many people a deep longing for something authentic.
People are seeking connection with spirits, ancestors, and the metaphysical field. The spirit is awakening in both men and women, though modern practitioners often note that women tend to be more receptive to these energies — they accept them more easily, experience them more deeply, and overcome inner barriers faster.
In the 21st century, everything has changed. Since 2018–2019, humanity has entered a new spiral of spiritual awakening. Progress, gadgets, and urbanization have distanced us from nature, awakening in many people a deep longing for something authentic.
People are seeking connection with spirits, ancestors, and the metaphysical field. The spirit is awakening in both men and women, though modern practitioners often note that women tend to be more receptive to these energies — they accept them more easily, experience them more deeply, and overcome inner barriers faster.
Why Is Shamanism So Attractive Right Now?
We have advanced far into “progress,” but in doing so we have lost the feeling of a living connection with the world. In this emptiness, a longing for our roots is born. It is not mere fashion, but a profound need to return to the natural essence of our being. Shamanism offers a practical tool: not escapism, but a real way to heal ourselves and the world around us.
Of course, it is important to remember: a true shaman is not someone who wears feathers and beats a drum for show. It is a person who has undergone initiation — often through the so-called “shamanic illness,” a severe crisis that breaks and rebuilds the personality — and who deeply respects the traditions while working with full responsibility.
Shamanism is an ancient, living bridge between worlds. And today, as the world changes faster than we can comprehend, many are once again hearing the call of this bridge.
Perhaps the “one who knows” is already awakening within you too?
Of course, it is important to remember: a true shaman is not someone who wears feathers and beats a drum for show. It is a person who has undergone initiation — often through the so-called “shamanic illness,” a severe crisis that breaks and rebuilds the personality — and who deeply respects the traditions while working with full responsibility.
Shamanism is an ancient, living bridge between worlds. And today, as the world changes faster than we can comprehend, many are once again hearing the call of this bridge.
Perhaps the “one who knows” is already awakening within you too?