Initiation always has something to do with acquired knowledge. The initiation to become a shaman is no different. The initiate gains knowledge about how the universe really works. His view of the world, his perception, is not as reductionist as that of science. There are various ways to attain or experience initiation.
One is to come into the world initiated. Another is to experience initiation through nature in the course of one's life, often during puberty, but also often at a later point in time. The third possibility is to be initiated by a master shaman. And then there is the possibility of self-initiation. Initiates are called by nature, the gods or other forces and are also guided and protected by them. Without this protection, embarking on magical journeys is like traveling through space without a protective suit.
It is absolutely deadly. With all types of initiation, a long path of learning is necessary. In most cases, the teaching begins with the initiation. Dealing with the acquired powers, using one's knowledge correctly and, above all, emotional support are the essential aspects of this process. It is about high standards of morality and ethics, first and foremost when using the acquired powers. It is incredibly important to be emotionally balanced. We are controlled by our unconscious. This is particularly noticeable in magic.
In my opinion, there are far too many unconscious "magicians" running around whose repressed parts, their shadows, cause a lot of damage. But everyone is responsible for this themselves. Nobody is prevented from consciously confronting their unconscious. To confront oneself. Awareness of oneself and the resulting way of dealing with one's dark parts is what makes a balanced person. This does not mean that shamans are enlightened. Especially in South American shamanism, there are real wars between shamans.
They fight each other and want to move up the hierarchy. There are dark shamans just as there are light ones. Basically, the path of initiation literally tears the initiate to pieces. His skin is peeled off, his flesh detached from his bones. It is then reassembled. With one more bone. The bone of transformation, his higher self. He is now in constant ecstatic connection with the universe. He talks to the universe and from now on, the universe always reacts to him, they are, as I said, in constant ecstatic contact.
There are different depths of initiation and shamans for different tasks. Some are there as messengers, others for ceremonies, or those who have been initiated to accompany transitions (e.g. death). Others are there for healing. These "healers" usually have the ability to heal a spectrum of illnesses. Not all of them, often the ones they had themselves. The shamans who heal have the ability to cover all other areas, ceremonies, transitions, being a messenger. None of those affected become shamans voluntarily.
Most resist for a long time. It is a life of hardship. Often the chosen ones are forced by the spirit into a life of shamanism. Physical illness or severe emotional crises recur until the initiate surrenders to his destiny. Personally, I always find it very surprising how here in Austria or Germany it is possible to train shamans in a few weekends at self-proclaimed academies or centers. The civilized world apparently has the means to impart knowledge in a few seminars that peoples with a shamanic tradition need a decade or more to acquire.
