Coyote Tracks

I posed the multifaceted secular question: “Is true prophesy the result of revelation and restoration through divine authority, or is it a form of shaman-ism? I’m inclined to think that it could be a little of both, depending of course on who the shaman is, and how he goes about his craft.

Therein is the heart of the question, for all of the mainstream religious sects claim an exclusivity to the divine ear. So much so that, were their creator to listen intently, he/she would hear only a cacophony of voices each claiming to be right. Unfortunately, believing you are right is not right-eousness.

The shaman has long been the spirit mediator of mankind, a sort of interpretor and advocate rolled into one. He achieves an altered state of consciousness by varied means, from within which he is able to “see and know “ that which is invisible.

Wallace Stevens said: “The poet is the priest of the invisible.” Though I agree with that statement, for present purposes, I would take it slightly off track and say, “The shaman is the voice of the invisible.” He fully speaks the language of the spirit world, an invisible world from which poets and priests merely glean fragments of cognition.

Once again, what is religiously considered the aboriginal concept of a multidimensional universe, is perhaps closer to truth than the plausible denial of these transcendental states. If we believe in spirit, we acknowledge the existence of other dimensions of being. The shaman is able to bridge the gap between them and remember where the bridges are, returning time and again to centering ground.

To do so he places himself in a “trance” by ingesting entheogens, fasting, dancing, etc. from which he achieves a closeness with the spirits and oneness with creation. In this state he is equipped to do anything from heal sickness, to exorcise demons.

Many religious sects fast and pray as a way of getting closer to their God. Many also believe in healing and exorcism by the laying on of hands. They acknowledge a singular leader as being closer to God, and claim divine guidance through revelation. Some leaders are authorized to grant absolution from sin. Others are canonized as icons and made into examples of faith and righteousness.

Who then among them has the right to claim such keys, without first emerging the God within himself?

Freedom of religion is paramount, and I understand and respect that “right “. The truth will surely set you free. Though the source is singular, the tree of life has many roots and branches.

#11. Of the Thirteen Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

There are few who know the meaning of religious persecution better than the Mormons. Our history is rife with it.

My secular thought differs only in that mainstream religions, including mine, claim a divine authority which is solely theirs by right of some perceived chain of custody. Therefore they must exercise faith in their own authority as well as in God.

For me, I just don’t have to be right. I do have faith in something greater than ourselves. Yet I know the path to God is through my own spirit, and so I must know myself before I can truly know Him.

To do that I need to look inward and find my “shaman”.

CB