6. The Main Categories of Experience in the Trance Postures

The ritual trance postures are not trips to the wild blue yonder with unknown destinations; neither are they journeys to fixed sight-seeing spots that can be visited again and again. They are an intuitive system that leads into determinable areas of the alternate reality within which different experiences are possible. Even when we make our way repeatedly to a specific area using the same body posture, our experience will always be different. With each journey we will get to know a new part of the area. Although each trance posture has a main theme that determines the probable area of experience, it is possible to have an experience that stems from an offshoot of the main theme. Every offshoot can be the bearer of unexpected and unknown happenings.

In our roughly twenty years of experience with ritual body postures, seven main areas of the alternate reality have been revealed to us. Even though specific body postures may lead to a specific area, there are no set borders in the exploration of these areas. The alternate reality holds a wilderness of surprises. Be prepared for the unexpected! (NN)

“Every thing possible to be believ’d is an image of truth” —William Blake, from “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”

“A lot happens to those who believe a lot” —Maerkish farmer’s wife (quoted in Hans-Peter Duerr)

6.1 Spirit Journeys

A distinguishing feature of shamanic ecstasy is the experience of “spirit flying.” While in a trance state, the spirit specialist’s soul travels through the shamanic cosmos. In this context, the “soul,” or “spirit,” is understood to be the vehicle of the “true self” with its own abilities for perception in the alternate reality, similar to the way in which our physical bodies carry our consciousness for our life’s journey on Earth.
In the shamanic worldview the tree of life stands in the center of the universe. The roots of the tree contain the lower world, the trunk is the seat of the middle world, and the crown of the tree comprises the upper world.

The lower world is not “Hell” (a designation that first occurred in the agricultural religions, such as Christianity). It is the habitat of power animals and is the kingdom of dead souls, or helper spirits.

The middle world is the spiritual counterpart to our world, a “parallel” world. The spirit, or essence, of all things lies concealed in it. It is the real world behind the visible world.

The branches of the tree of life, or the upper world, hold everything that exists inside and outside our galaxy. The fundamental cosmic design, the blueprint for all that is and all that will be, is here.

Spirit journeys take place in one of these three worlds. The shaman is a mediator and traveler between the worlds. His or her goal in these journeys is always to seek advice, understanding, and knowledge for the benefit of the individual and, therefore, the community. To reach an altered state of consciousness that leads to trance, the shaman can use different techniques such as singing, dancing, drumming, taking drugs, or holding body postures accompanied by rhythmic stimulation. Spirit journeys are not without danger. The shaman must learn how to distinguish the correct paths in the alternate reality from the stray paths and dangerous areas.

The experiences of the traveler on a spirit journey can be dramatic, frightening, and blissful. An indescribable joy over what has been seen is always reported, as well as a reverence for the beautiful and mysterious worlds that open up before him or her. Spirit journeys are possible because the laws of gravity do not restrict the soul; it can travel or transport itself to faraway places without assistance. Neither is it bound by the dimension of time. It can just as easily visit a past event as it can a current one; only the future is inaccessible. The soul itself has no dimension, which gives it the freedom to slip into another form, like that of a bird, an animal, or a plant.

So while each ritual body posture leads to the experience of the trance as a spirit journey to various destinations, certain postures have the experience of a journey through the three worlds as their special focus. And often connected with this journey is the experience of flying. In some tribal groups the words “shaman” and “eagle” are interchangeable. This makes sense when we think about the magical meaning of the feather or feather headdress. The feather ornamentation of the Siberian shamans is a symbol of flight, as is the feather headdress of the Native-American chiefs and medicine men. Feathers and wings represent powers that are beyond those of humans. Today we can still experience a trace of these powers and this knowledge through the trance postures. (NN)

Further:

6.2 Initiation
6.2.1 The Secret of the Eleusinian Mysteries
6.3 Death and Rebirth
6.4 Healing
6.5 Metamorphosis
6.6 Myths as Experiences of Another Reality
6.6.1 A Map of the Lower World
6.7 Divination