Life Changes-Shaman's Death

Accoring to Jamie Sams: Have you noticed a pattern of personal evolution you are experiencing? Are you fertilizing and preparing your life in order to meet the future? Are you planting the seeds of some new activity? Are you burning off the old crop and plowing it under to make ready for new life?

All of these are very important questions to ask yourself and/or things you need to be aware of that may be happening in your life. Looking at the "Spiritual" aspect of the spectrum means often experiencing things as mentioned. Do you feel unbalanced? Do you feel you are surrounded by chaotic energy? Do you experience this "Odd" kind of confusion in your daily life?

Many moons ago when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, everything around me felt "Off". I actually felt like I was running in circles at a very fast pace and could not figure out how to step out of the revolving wheel. My body was changing, my thoughts were changing, and my views were changing. I just wanted everything to stop and let me catch my breath. I tried writing, doing art, sitting still playing my drum and trying to meditate the best way I could. No matter what I tried, nothing helped.

One day I was lead to do a total body purge by laying flat on the ground. I remember clutching the grass to actually sit still and just be one with the "Mother". I envisioned the Earth reaching up and placing me in a gentle embrace while all of the energy I had inside was being absorbed into the ground. I felt guilty, and excited at the same time. I felt guilty because I did not want to place all of this negative energy in our "Earth Mother" but then I heard a gentle voice say, "The "Mother" will take this energy and recycle it. Her energy is healing, cleansing and pure. All I had to do was be willing to "RELEASE" the energy that caused me so much discomfort, and unbalanced."

I cannot tell you how much time I laid there in that spot. I opened my eyes a few times and stared up to the sky, watching the clouds move in a soft pattern. I felt myself become lighter as if something was being drained that no longer served a purpose in my life. The next thing I remembered was sitting up and drawing my knees to my chest, laying my head down and crying.

I wish I could say everything was perfect after that, but it wasn't. I still was trying to hold on to something that no longer mattered, that no longer existed. Slowly, I began to gain my balance back, my thinking became clearer and my purpose became brighter. So in the long run, I came to realize that my Shaman Death was finally completed and it was time to move forward.

Notes by Jamie Sams: Regrets are formed when we do not relish the moments along the way and use to the fullest the opportunities presented to us. Plans and dreams that did not get harvested in our last cycle of growth are the forms our regrets take.

Every one of us holds some kind of regret in one form or another. What we often forget is that "Things" happen when the time is right. We cannot force "Change" to happen on our schedule. That does not mean we just sit still and do nothing to prepare for it. That would be like trying to grow a plant and "Not" planting the seeds in the soil!

I really had to think about this whole concept of "regret" because I actually believe everything that has happened on my path has leaded me where I am today. I also understand how important timing is, and preparation for what you want to do. For years upon years I kept my writing private, I kept my art private and I kept my views silent.

When I had my store "Earth Crafts" I would display a few pieces of art and such, but my main intention was to promote everyone else. I was actually playing "Mother Hen" to everybody who walked onto my path. I still catch myself doing this but today it is different. I love to encourage people to be all they can be. I believe in that and live by that. In the meantime, I set myself on a back burner and did very little to get myself out there. I still struggle with this, but I am getting better. So if I had to list regret it would be not placing enough respect on me to pursue my dreams earlier in life.

All of the "What if's" can become very heavy when you carrying them around your shoulders. Being able to "Release" all of the "What If's" and the "Regrets" is a form of a Shaman's Death but in order for good encouraging energy to enter our spirit, we must release what no longer serves us any good.

Notes by Jamie Sams: To eliminate any further blockage to your path, ask yourself which roles you are playing in that no long feel alive. Look at those things with the Self that are inhibiting your growth. You might need to notice the justifications or denials that stop you from giving those shadow-parts the death penalty. The changing of old habits takes courage and conviction. When you make a decision to change any habit or personality trait, be sure that you are doing it for yourself and not because of public opinion or the whims of another.

Sometimes one of the scarcest things to do is take a good look at "Self". When we take a look at some of our personal patterns we have in our life-do we ever wonder if these patterns are the best thing for us? Often we will know that perhaps they are not the best patterns for our "Spiritual Growth" or for our personal well being but we do not change them. Of course we will eventually learn the "Lessons" why we have not changed the patterns, but the best way to confront this is by putting on our "Warrior" Persona.

There comes a time in life when we must start looking out for our self and honoring our self for who we are. That does not mean you need to become self centered and push every one away, it just means you need to show yourself honor the way you do others. You have to be willing to let go of old patterns that has brought you nothing positive. The major key is every change you do is you must do it because of "YOU" and for "YOU". That is one reason why I always say "In the end, we walk our path alone."

Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Many people fear what they do not understand and many people will treat you like an off cast. But if you are willing to allow "Old parts of Self" go through a Shaman's Death in order to reach a higher understanding of your "Path", isn't it worth it?

I try very hard to honor "ALL". I do not believe in pushing my beliefs onto other people and I will not allow others to push their beliefs onto me. I will listen to them but that does not mean I have to agree with them. I do not "EVER" expect someone to always agree with my point of view, nothing I say is etched in stone and often there are many things I do not understand. But I have to look at myself in the mirror every single day and see "Me"-so I am going to do what I have to, to make my life flow as gently as possible.

Conclusion:

A Shaman's Death sounds terrifying, it is not a physical death but often it will feel like it. When we "let go" of old parts of "Self" that no longer serve us, it is symbolic for a part of us dying. The changes that happen afterwards are permanent and become a strong stone in our "Spiritual Foundation". But letting go of old habits, old beliefs about ourselves and the world around us can leave us feeling almost numb for a while.

The only things that can help "a Shaman's Death" go a little easier is just surrendering to the experience. Change happens every day; I seem to experience a Shaman's Death every seven years. (Or at least that is how it has been) Empting the vessel for new life energy and experiences is part of our "Spiritual Growth". That is the only time we will have a better understanding of the purpose of our life while we walk this Earthly Realm.