That Ol’ Time Religion – Shamanism

… wasn’t much of a religion. At least, not by today’s standards.

Religion has become incredibly strange in the hands of agricultural humanity.  It’s far removed from what is visible and far removed from nature.

The primal ancient religion of humanity was basically a kind of nature worship, called animism, where everything was alive and spirits were embedded in everything and everyone.

The main mode of experiencing this reality was shamanic. Shamans used drums, dancing, drugs, or a similar method to alter their consciousness and journey into the spirit world. From their visits to the spirit world they could learn where the animals are for a good hunt, heal, gain knowledge, and explain away the misfortunes of the tribe.

While most of us are probably not called to do all those things we can all benefit from a modern equivalent of shamanic journeying, which is guided imagery.  Guided imagery allows you to travel inwards, to relax; to visit your future; to go to protected places where you can recharge; to heal yourself; and much more.

The only limit is your imagination. And imagination can be unlimited.

Here are some FREE practices to help you tap into your innate shamanic powers, the hunter gatherer equivalent of the original religion.

Gobeckli Tepe: The Hunter Gatherer Temple in Eden

Some key links to the archaeology of Gobeckli Tepe, the Temple built in Eden by hunter gatherers, before the advent of agriculture:

Do These Mysterious Stones Mark the Site of the Garden of Eden?

Digging for History in Gobeckli Tepe, Turkey

Gobekli: Your Questions Answered

Wiki link to Gobeckli Tepe

I don’t know how it can get more interesting.  Hunter gatherer culture, large scale cooperation, large scale building.

Some key insights so far (only about 2% of the temple has been excavated so conclusions may be premature):

• Religion gave rise to agriculture, not the other way around
• The early religious designs are so far of animals, likely indicating an animist, non-monotheistic original religion; a spirituality grounded in the observed world, in life and in nature.
• The temple was buried in tons and tons of sand after roughly 2000 years of operation for unknown reasons
• Caucasian hunter gatherers had an advanced enough culture to organize the quarrying, moving, and sculpting of 10 to 50 ton stones; agriculture is NOT necessary for huge projects requiring the agreement of hundreds or even thousands of people
• Human health gradually deteriorated as the millennia passed and food supplies and lifestyle changed from HG to agrarian – this is consistent with agriculture’s effects everywhere
• The exact function of the place is unknown; while it is speculated it was a temple for the dead no tombs or graves have been found