Shamanism is a mysterious and powerful practice, often misunderstood on a physical level. Even among shamans, there are differing views on what shamanism truly is and what the role of a shaman should be. Yet, despite these differences, there is a deep respect for each person walking this path. Becoming a shaman is challenging enough in cultures that recognize and support the journey, but imagine an American Shaman enduring the trials and spiritual deaths required of a shaman in a society that has no understanding of what they’re going through. The path becomes even more isolating and difficult, yet no less transformative.
Regarded as one of the world’s oldest spiritual practices, Shamanism contains profound knowledge of healing and consciousness expansion that transcends cultures. However, in the modern American context, where indigenous wisdom has often been suppressed and modern medicine reigns supreme, a unique challenge emerges for those who feel called to the shamanic path but lack a clear cultural lineage or traditional mentorship. Before we can understand what it means to be an American Shaman, let’s take a deeper look into Shamanism itself.
A Shaman Born from a Sick Culture
In many cultures, the role of a shaman is deeply tied to a tribe or community. Traditionally, shamans are selected through rigorous trials, spiritual calling, or near-death experiences that act as initiations. But what happens when someone in modern America feels this spiritual calling? They are born into a culture that often dismisses spiritual or non-material healing, favoring science and medicine as the dominant paradigm for addressing physical and mental health. Moreover, the food supply is compromised, social media dehumanizes interaction, and the political climate is unstable—creating what can only be described as a “sick culture.”
Yet, from this sickness, the American shaman emerges. As in any society facing crisis, spiritual leaders are often born from the very chaos that others wish to escape. The modern American shaman feels the dis-ease of the culture and understands intuitively that it is this very discomfort that forges their role as a healer. As Joseph Campbell put it, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
Shamanism as a Response to Mental Illness
One of the most compelling aspects of shamanism is its unique perspective on mental illness. In traditional societies, what is often labeled as “illness” in modern Western psychiatry may be seen as the initial stirrings of a shamanic awakening. Indeed, indigenous shamans are those who navigate altered states of consciousness, much like those who experience severe mental distress in modern hospitals. In this sense, the mental health facilities filled with people deemed “unstable” by societal standards are, in some shamanic views, places where potential healers reside—shamans in the womb who have yet to be born.
For the American shaman, breaking through misconceptions about mental health is vital. The Western idea of illness as something to be eradicated is, in shamanic terms, a denial of the body’s or soul’s way of communicating imbalance. Rather than treating the symptoms, a shaman views these mental crises as opportunities for deep transformation and healing. This philosophy aligns with the broader shamanic idea that “the wound is the place where the light enters.”
The Spirit-Driven Path For The American Shaman
For the American shaman, the spirits play a crucial role in navigating a lineage-less journey. While a traditional shaman is chosen by both the tribe and the spirits, the American shaman may be unknown to any tribe, yet fully acknowledged by the spiritual realm. The spirits guide their steps, offering support, direction, and protection.
Shamanism across cultures holds universal truths: the shaman acts as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, using rituals, healing methods, and altered states of consciousness to bring balance. An American shaman must draw from these shared shamanic principles but will need to create or adapt rituals that resonate with their unique circumstances. This is where creativity, intuition, and personal healing experiences come into play.
Cultural Respect and Original Practices As An American Shaman
In the modern world, it is crucial for the American shaman to tread lightly around the issue of cultural appropriation. Drawing wisdom from other traditions is part of the human experience, but the shaman must be careful not to co-opt or misappropriate the sacred practices of indigenous cultures. Instead, the American shaman must forge their own path, deeply respecting the ancient roots of shamanism while innovating new practices that honor both their culture and personal spiritual guidance.
For the American shaman, the key focus is not on “taking” from existing traditions but on giving back to a culture in need of healing. The question that guides their path is simple: “What can I do to help?” This service-driven mentality becomes the core of their practice. They recognize the wounds of the modern world and understand their mission is to heal both themselves and others through the power of spirit, intention, and connection to nature.
The American Shaman And The Personal Healing Journey
An essential part of the shamanic journey is self-healing. Before the shaman can effectively heal others, they must first confront and heal their own trauma. Often, the American shaman will have experienced a deep wound, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, which serves as their initiation. This personal journey of transformation becomes the foundation upon which they build their practice. The American shaman, just like shamans from other traditions, must “walk their talk,” embodying the healing that they offer to others.
The initiatory trials of the American shaman may not be guided by elders but by life itself—overcoming addiction, mental health struggles, or a profound personal crisis. In this way, their rite of passage is not sanctioned by a lineage but by the sheer will to survive and transform.
In other ways the shaman will be guided by God, spirits and non-physical entities as they put him through unimaginable trials and desperate circumstances to show him that as long as he relies on the spirits and the Universe, that anything can be healed and that no situation is too dire to change. He gains confidence through these trials and they really cannot be avoided and must be embraced. And when an American Shaman comes out on the other side, there are other things to consider.
Should You Call Yourself A Shaman?
In many cultures, including American society, the idea of declaring oneself a “shaman” is often met with skepticism or even taboo. Traditionally, shamanism is not a title one chooses but a role thrust upon an individual by the universe or the spirits in response to a collective need for healing. It’s a calling, not a career, and often manifests through personal crises, illnesses, or profound spiritual experiences. The idea of self-proclaiming as a shaman can seem ego-driven, and it’s essential to approach this path with humility. Shamans are not meant to elevate themselves in the eyes of others; their purpose is service and healing, not recognition or praise.
For those who feel called to this path, it’s important to be mindful of the temptation to label oneself prematurely. If you go around calling yourself a shaman, many people will dismiss you as delusional or eccentric. Shamanism, after all, is not about titles—it’s about what you do, the healing you bring to others, and your connection with the spiritual realms. Over time, however, as your work speaks for itself, the title may naturally align with your role. Being a shaman is less about what you call yourself and more about your actions: it is a job where your “boss” is the divine, and your co-workers are the spirits who guide you.
At Concrete Shamanism, we sometimes find that calling yourself a shaman can be a powerful way to affirm that this path is possible, especially in a society that often denies or ignores spiritual realities. Yet, the title must come from a place of authenticity, not a desire for prestige. Most shamans did not seek this role; it came to them in ways they could not ignore. By accepting this path, they often find their own deepest healing. When shamanism calls, it is not to glorify the self, but to serve a purpose larger than the individual—one of healing, transformation, and guidance for others.
What Remains Universal in Shamanism?
Despite the cultural and geographical differences, certain aspects of shamanism remain consistent across all traditions:
- Connection to Spirit: The shaman communicates with spirits, ancestors, and nature to receive guidance and healing.
- Service to the Community: Shamans heal the individual and the collective, acting as spiritual intermediaries.
- The Use of Ritual: Whether ancient or newly created, ritual is a central tool for accessing altered states of consciousness and working with spiritual energies.
- Healing Power of Nature: Shamans understand that nature offers deep wisdom and healing. They use plants, animals, and the elements to assist in their healing work.
The American shaman honors these core principles, even as they invent new ways to practice and apply them.
The Emergence of Ritual Elders
As more people in America begin to walk the shamanic path, ritual elders will eventually emerge—those who can guide and mentor future shamans, offering wisdom and support. But until this time comes, the American shaman is a pioneer, often walking alone, yet connected to a larger, unseen tribe of spirits and healers.
Will America Ever Embrace Shamanism?
Whether or not shamanism is ever fully embraced in modern American society, the American shaman continues to rise in response to the culture’s cries for healing. Their journey may be unconventional, but it is no less real or sacred. In a world that increasingly turns away from spiritual depth, the American shaman represents a return to the ancient ways of healing—adapted for a modern age that is desperately in need of balance and wholeness.
