Shamanism 101: The Lower World Journey
Not to be confused with a daytrip to Hades, the lower world journey is an essential component of coming to know your power animals and inner teachers in shamanic practice. The Lower World Journey has wormed its way into literary culture, most famously with Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," when Alice falls down the rabbit hole and embarks on a great adventure. There is one thing that Carroll misrepresented; the characters she encountered were more middle world spirits (with personalities and intents ranging from neutral to hostile) rather than loving lower world spirits. The spirits in the lower world are magnanimous; they do not wish you any harm and are there to help. Drugs, too, are not necessary for a trip to the lower world (and can actually be a hindrance). There are, however, six essential steps to make this a fruitful journey.
1. Soundtrack. No, not Beyonce or even Beethoven, but rather a CD or MP3 of shamanic drumming, a steady rhythm of 180 to 220 beats per minute. Having a live drummer is nice but not necessary. The track should last at least ten minutes (the average journey time).
2. Darkness. You want the room to be as dark as possible. Wear a slumber mask or bandana over your eyes.
3. Position. You want to lie down on your living room rug wearing a bandana over your eyes and a headphone over your ears.
4. Portal: Imagine a place in an ordinary state of consciousness like the base of a tree, a hole in the ground, a cave opening, a bend in a stream that hides under a bridge. Picture a real place that you already know. Enter the portal in your mind and descend for a good minute until you come to a clearing or a light on the other end. This is your introduction into the lower world.
5. Exploration: For now just explore until the drumming prompts you to find the other portal to ascend back into ordinary reality. The lower world may look like a jungle, desert, prairie or some other earthy topography. You'll likely come across a lot of vegetation, trees, animals, plants, spirits (and even people). Notice what senses you are utilizing. Is there any animal, tree or spirit that sticks out in your mind by producing a feeling of intimacy or familiarity? Any animal that you see at least 3 times is likely your power animal.
6. Reemergence. Once you have ascended the "rabbit hole," you will gently come back into the room. Slowly take off your bandana and sit up. Record any thoughts in a journal if you so wish.
I've taken about 50 journeys (half lower world and half upper world) over the last 18 months. It's changed my life in substantial ways. Although Shamanism is not a religion, it is a great balm for seekers who find the 12 steps too oppressive, Christianity too politically-charged and Buddhism too insipid. A Shamanic journey is filled with color, theatrics and soul. Oftentimes I've left a journey contemplating a certain shamanic event or interaction over a period of several weeks (like pondering a character's motives in a wonderful literary novel). And then one day the lesson just fits into your OSC (ordinary state of consciousness) like a familiar pair of old Levi's.
Why even take a lower world journey in the first place? Empowerment. This is an earthy geography where you will only come across beneficial spirits who want to help you. In order to take full advantage of your visit, it is best to go with an open mind and open heart. In additional visits, go with a clear intent and a succinct question at the tip of your tongue concerning a personal quandary. Framing the question effectively is of the utmost importance. Avoid any questions that require a yes-or-no answer. There are several reasons for this. One is that spirits are creative and playful, presenting something like an impressionist painting or a Shakespeare comedy. They thrive on symbolism but on a rare occasion can be quite literal. A yes-or-no question insults their efforts.
Another reason is that a yes-or-no answer will be impossible is that with some practitioners (or journeyers), the spirits they meet are often mute. Sadly, this is the case for me about 95% of the time. The one upside to this is that any phrase I do hear in a journey is loaded with significance. In fact, any sense that is prominent in a journey probably underperforms in an ordinary state of consciousness. For instance, my eyesight is rather poor in ordinary reality but on a journey my sight is definitely enhanced. Some people sense their journeys through touch, sight, hearing, intuition, scent and taste. The only wrong you can commit in a journey is to be a dick to any spirit you encounter.
After leaving the lower world for the first time (and something good to know each additional time), always thank the spirits for their company and guidance. That's one piece of advice that never goes out of style in whichever world you inhabit.
1. Soundtrack. No, not Beyonce or even Beethoven, but rather a CD or MP3 of shamanic drumming, a steady rhythm of 180 to 220 beats per minute. Having a live drummer is nice but not necessary. The track should last at least ten minutes (the average journey time).
2. Darkness. You want the room to be as dark as possible. Wear a slumber mask or bandana over your eyes.
3. Position. You want to lie down on your living room rug wearing a bandana over your eyes and a headphone over your ears.
4. Portal: Imagine a place in an ordinary state of consciousness like the base of a tree, a hole in the ground, a cave opening, a bend in a stream that hides under a bridge. Picture a real place that you already know. Enter the portal in your mind and descend for a good minute until you come to a clearing or a light on the other end. This is your introduction into the lower world.
5. Exploration: For now just explore until the drumming prompts you to find the other portal to ascend back into ordinary reality. The lower world may look like a jungle, desert, prairie or some other earthy topography. You'll likely come across a lot of vegetation, trees, animals, plants, spirits (and even people). Notice what senses you are utilizing. Is there any animal, tree or spirit that sticks out in your mind by producing a feeling of intimacy or familiarity? Any animal that you see at least 3 times is likely your power animal.
6. Reemergence. Once you have ascended the "rabbit hole," you will gently come back into the room. Slowly take off your bandana and sit up. Record any thoughts in a journal if you so wish.
I've taken about 50 journeys (half lower world and half upper world) over the last 18 months. It's changed my life in substantial ways. Although Shamanism is not a religion, it is a great balm for seekers who find the 12 steps too oppressive, Christianity too politically-charged and Buddhism too insipid. A Shamanic journey is filled with color, theatrics and soul. Oftentimes I've left a journey contemplating a certain shamanic event or interaction over a period of several weeks (like pondering a character's motives in a wonderful literary novel). And then one day the lesson just fits into your OSC (ordinary state of consciousness) like a familiar pair of old Levi's.
Why even take a lower world journey in the first place? Empowerment. This is an earthy geography where you will only come across beneficial spirits who want to help you. In order to take full advantage of your visit, it is best to go with an open mind and open heart. In additional visits, go with a clear intent and a succinct question at the tip of your tongue concerning a personal quandary. Framing the question effectively is of the utmost importance. Avoid any questions that require a yes-or-no answer. There are several reasons for this. One is that spirits are creative and playful, presenting something like an impressionist painting or a Shakespeare comedy. They thrive on symbolism but on a rare occasion can be quite literal. A yes-or-no question insults their efforts.
Another reason is that a yes-or-no answer will be impossible is that with some practitioners (or journeyers), the spirits they meet are often mute. Sadly, this is the case for me about 95% of the time. The one upside to this is that any phrase I do hear in a journey is loaded with significance. In fact, any sense that is prominent in a journey probably underperforms in an ordinary state of consciousness. For instance, my eyesight is rather poor in ordinary reality but on a journey my sight is definitely enhanced. Some people sense their journeys through touch, sight, hearing, intuition, scent and taste. The only wrong you can commit in a journey is to be a dick to any spirit you encounter.
After leaving the lower world for the first time (and something good to know each additional time), always thank the spirits for their company and guidance. That's one piece of advice that never goes out of style in whichever world you inhabit.
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