In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and uncertain, it’s easy to get swept away by fear, panic, and worry. But not everyone sees life this way. Shamans, the ancient spiritual guides who walk between the physical and spiritual worlds, hold a vastly different perspective. They seem calm, grounded, and sometimes even detached from the turmoil others experience. To some, this can make them appear cold or uncaring. In reality, however, shamans possess a deep understanding of human suffering and healing. Their perspective is rooted in the belief that everything, even the most challenging experiences, is unfolding exactly as it should.
So, why don’t shamans panic? How do they maintain such serenity in the face of life’s storms? In this article, we’ll explore the key principles behind the shamanic view of the world and why they (almost) never join in the fear or worry of those around them.
The Shaman’s View of Life: Profound Well-Being
Shamans understand life as part of a much larger spiritual journey. To them, each of us is a divine being who has chosen to incarnate on Earth for the purpose of growth and evolution. Trials and challenges are not random occurrences or punishments; they are necessary lessons that we have consciously agreed to face. From this perspective, there is nothing to fear—because every experience, even the difficult ones, serves a higher purpose.
This understanding brings an unshakable sense of well-being. Shamans know that peace, abundance, and love are the true, natural states of human existence. When people experience suffering, illness, or fear, it’s seen as a temporary distortion of this natural state—not a fundamental flaw or cause for panic.
Fear, Worry, and the Ego: Misunderstandings of the Mind
According to shamanic wisdom, fear and worry stem from the ego, which thrives on separation, control, and the need for certainty. The ego is the source of much of our suffering because it creates the illusion that we are separate from others, from nature, and from the divine. When the ego takes over, it catastrophizes even ordinary situations, turning them into sources of fear and anxiety.
Shamans, however, see this as a misunderstanding. They understand that the ego’s fear-driven reactions distort reality and block access to peace. By transcending the ego, shamans remain calm even in situations where others might panic.
Shamans Don’t See People as Victims or Sick
One of the most distinctive aspects of the shamanic worldview is that shamans don’t see people as victims of circumstance or illness. Instead, they view every individual as a powerful being with immense potential. Illness, hardship, and suffering are seen as distortions of the person’s true nature, which is one of vitality and well-being.
To shamans, sickness is not something that needs to be “fought” or “defeated.” Rather, it’s a sign that the individual has temporarily fallen out of alignment with their natural state of health. Healing, from a shamanic perspective, involves realigning with the true self and releasing the ego’s grip on fear and limitation.
The Shaman’s Approach to Healing: Holding Space, Not Forcing It
Shamans often come across as calm, or even detached, when working with people in pain or fear. This can sometimes make them seem cold or uncaring, but in truth, they are simply not willing to go on a journey of useless fear and worry. Shamans won’t argue with someone who insists on identifying with their suffering. They respect free will and understand that each person must choose their own path, even if that means staying in pain for a while.
Instead of pushing for immediate healing, shamans hold space for it. They create a supportive environment where the person can choose to heal when they are ready. This approach acknowledges that true healing only happens when the individual decides to release their fear and embrace their innate power to heal.
No News Is Good News
Shamans generally avoid watching the news because they see it as a source of unnecessary fear and misunderstanding. From their perspective, the fear projected by the media is false and distorts the true nature of reality. The shaman understands that nothing serious is ever really happening in the grand scheme of things; what appears chaotic or frightening is simply part of the natural flow of life. Watching the news, according to the shaman, often adds more stress and challenges to a person’s life—problems that are beyond their ability to solve. Instead of focusing on distant, fear-inducing events, shamans encourage individuals to turn inward, focus on their own growth, and deal with the challenges directly in front of them.
Why Shamans Appear Unfazed by Catastrophe
Shamans maintain their calm demeanor even in the face of extreme challenges because they have undergone their own trials of suffering and transformation. Having experienced profound pain themselves, they have learned to see beyond the surface-level chaos of life and recognize the underlying order in all things.
To a shaman, even a hurricane is just a light breeze. This isn’t because they are disconnected from reality, but because they have developed the ability to see that all experiences—no matter how catastrophic they may seem—are part of the divine plan. They understand that panic and fear only deepen suffering, and so they choose to stand firm in peace.
Disturbances Reflect Inner States: Healing Starts Within
In the shamanic worldview, when something appears disturbing in the world, it is often a reflection of an internal disturbance. Shamans believe that the external world mirrors our inner state of being. Therefore, if we are deeply troubled by what we see around us, it is likely that something within us needs healing.
By guiding individuals to look inward and question their fear, shamans help them to understand that their discomfort is not rooted in external events, but in their own perception. True peace, according to shamanic wisdom, comes from healing the internal disturbances that cloud our vision of reality.
Numbed Out And Suffering
Spiritual bypassing is the tendency to use spiritual concepts to avoid confronting painful emotions or difficult situations. While these ideas can offer temporary comfort, over-reliance on them acts like spiritual Novocain, numbing us to the deeper wounds that need healing. Shamans understand that true healing requires digging into the dirt of our pain and addressing what truly needs to be fixed, rather than masking it with positive affirmations or lofty spiritual ideals. They also recognize that many of us turn to substances like alcohol, drugs, food, or even sex as coping mechanisms to numb the pain we don’t want to face. Shamans encourage us to be aware of these patterns and bravely confront the discomfort, knowing that only through fully feeling and processing our pain can we achieve genuine growth and transformation.
Conclusion: A Calm Presence in a Chaotic World
Shamans offer us a unique and powerful perspective on life—one that is free from fear, panic, and worry. While they may seem detached or indifferent, this calmness is a reflection of their deep understanding of the world. They refuse to engage in useless fear because they know it only perpetuates suffering. Instead, they hold space for healing and invite others to release their ego-driven worries and embrace their true, divine nature.
The shaman’s personal trials and challenges are ongoing, and in fact, life often becomes even more difficult for them as they progress. Many shamans carry deep wounds or face tough personal conditions that they are constantly working through. These struggles keep them grounded and humble, allowing them to stay focused on their primary purpose: helping others navigate the overwhelming challenges they face in their own lives.
If we take a moment to consider the shamanic way, we might begin to see that panic is not necessary, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Serenity, peace, and love are not distant ideals; they are our natural state. Shamans have mastered the art of staying connected to this truth—and so can we.
