During recent months I have been feeling that my spiritual work has faded into the background of my life. This is mainly because I have been focusing my attention on being a mother, nurturing a baby, and working on my writing projects. All of that didn’t stop me from feeling guilty, and even frustrated, about my lack of spiritual working. But what exactly does it mean to do spiritual work?

I call myself a shaman in training. In truth, I suppose we never stop learning as we progress through our human lives, interacting with different people and situations, and taking away new perspectives and meaning from our activities. I am not currently following any formal training structure. I am merely being aware of my surroundings, picking up bits of information as and when I can, and reading up on different shaman practices and belief systems.

One book I am currently reading is Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili King, PHD. A friend bought me the book for my birthday earlier this year, and I was very surprised and touched by her gesture. I understand that many people might struggle to understand how to behave around a person who practices shamanism, witchcraft and paganism when these are taboo subjects within the culture that we live. Fortunately for me, friends and family are supportive of my interests, and some are more interested to learn from what I have studied so far.

Finally, I realise that yes, I am a shaman. Just because I don’t dress a certain way, carry various mystical implements, or actively practise rituals and ceremonies, does not mean I do not believe in this ancient system of life. A shaman is basically a healer. That is what we do. There are many different shaman systems of practice and belief that have been developed all around the world. I am currently reading about the Hawaiian tradition in Urban Shaman, and already I recognize a lot of the material as practices that I have been doing for years.

For now my life as a shaman revolves around my family. I have a toddler to care for, and a new baby on the way. I will both learn from my children, and teach them how to integrate and develop in the human world based on my own experiences and beliefs. I also have a husband who tends to overwork himself, so he needs some regular healing, albeit very subtle on my behalf! So there we go. I can stop being so hard on myself. When it comes to natural practices, there are no set rules and regulations. We do what feels natural, and we live in accordance to Mother Nature and the Great Spirit of life that exists all around the world.

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*Images courtesy of Goodreads and Deviant Art