Shamanic State of Consciousness

In his book “The Way of The Shaman”, Michael Harner provides a useful framework for understanding the landscape of shamanic activity.

He describes two states of consciousness: the Ordinary State of Consciousness (OSC) and the Shamanic State of Consciousness (SSC). The OSC is our normal state: the realm of our thoughts, identities, practical matters, material interactions. The SSC is the state that connects us to the Spirit Realm.

Learning to intentionally shift consciousness into the SSC is an essential step for developing a shamanic practice. Rituals are precisely designed to facilitate this shift, be it with drumming, singing, dancing, etc. Shifting to the SSC may also happen spontaneously and the shift may occur to varying degrees of immersion.

In many ways, the OSC and SSC coexist in parallel realities, each with its own natural laws and therefore each with its own potential and gifts. The shamanic practitioner comes to learn the workings of each, and can therefore navigate through and between them with ease and grace.

Yet, even experienced shamanic practitioners recognise that from an OSC perspective, grasping the workings of the SSC is an infinite journey. In fact, it is through embracing the SSC’s great mystery that we can receive its greatest gifts.