The Web of Consciousness: Relating to Spirit Through Animism

Shamanic practices are based around relationships. This is very much an animism approach. Animism, in its simplest definition, is the idea that every being/thing has its own consciousness. To clarify this, I will use trees as an example. Although there are thousands of varieties of trees, we may at one time considered all trees to be lumped into one category. Even in our language, we might hear ourselves saying, “all trees provide us air, oxygen, lungs” or “all trees like to be hugged.” What animism is at the simplest level is understanding that not all trees are the same, nor do they have the same consciousness. In a grove of arbor trees, they may share a consciousness, but each tree itself has its own consciousness. Let’s take this example further to humans. It is the understanding that we are all individuals-with our own unique blueprint, signature, consciousness etc. This is what makes us unique. As unique as we are, in spiritual capacity, we do not find ourselves at the top of the food chain. In fact, we find that we are a part of an inherent web of interconnectedness-one that places humans within that web as a part, but not as a whole, and most definitely, not in a hierarchy. With animism, we work from the floor of understanding first before making our way to practical applications of this knowledge. It is from this place of understanding, that we can begin to explore a relationship with spirit.

So what does it mean to be in right relationship with Spirit?

We begin by understanding and recognizing the animism approach and taking that further into spiritual concepts. This means that our relationship begins when we interface with Spirit knowing that we are not the ruler of spiritual kingdoms, nor is anyone in the spirit world a slave or a being that will do our bidding. As humans, it is quite selfish to think that the spiritual world is at our beck and call, including the beings and other intelligences in it. This may be a different perspective than what is widely known or popular thought. Much like we do not have control or power over a tsunami’s line of destruction, we do not have control or power over spiritual realms. What is important to consider and understand is that humans are visitors in the spiritual world. To bring this concept into more clarity, consider locations where nature and the animals within it are the gatekeepers. Humans should not assume that when they visit the Amazon or a jungle in Peru that they are in charge of the animal kingdom-in fact, humans are not desired in these places, nor are they at the top of the food chain. A lion would not approach a human in the wild with reverence-this lion sees this human as either a threat or food and will take steps necessary to protect his land. When we approach the spiritual world through this lens, we begin to recognize how small we are in the larger picture of the cosmos.

I mentioned earlier that shamanic practices are based around relationships. This is extremely important to consider: one does not practice shamanism alone. Those who practice shamanism are in constant relationship with forces, whether they are elements, upper world intelligences, or the dirt their home is laid on. To be in right relationship with spirit is to understand that this work is meant to connect us more to ourselves, the natural world, and the spiritual realms.

How can we connect and build this relationship?

The best way to begin is by understanding the previous concepts and beginning to apply these understandings to your practices. One of my favorite ways to begin this work is by finding a tree that is willing to work with me (this is generally done through asking the tree and getting permission) and sitting with it. With an open mind and embodied presence, we may be able to sense the tree’s energetic signature or its consciousness.

If you are hoping to build a relationship with other intelligences such as a deity, it is helpful to begin a bit closer to home and work with your ancestors first.For those who already find themselves in spiritual relationships or are well-versed in shamanic practices, it can be helpful to examine our thoughts and actions in this relationship. Much like in a human relationship, it is nice to check in with your partner to see if there is anything that needs to happen to deepen the relationship or keep it running smoothly. By asking intelligences what it may need or how that relationship can be of benefit to your community or the collective is a wonderful consideration.

Regardless of where you are at in your spiritual relationships, know that it takes time, just like any relationship, to deepen. The relationship that I have with one intelligence is far different than what it was a few years ago. The relationship that I have with a specific tree in a park is different now than when I first began to connect to it. There is that sigh of familiar resonance as well as many experiences that have accumulated within my relationship. With time and multiple experiences of contact, we find ourselves in a mutual space of respect and trust. It is from this space that we can begin to deepen our relationship with Spirit, others, and ourselves.