Shamanism: Returning to Our Roots, Not Religion

By Christine Higgins, Founder of Embodied Energy Wellness

There’s a growing curiosity about shamanism lately — and with it, a fair bit of confusion. Many people hear the word “shaman” and immediately think of some ancient, tribal religion or a far-off practice that has no place in modern life. But here’s the truth: shamanism is not a religion. It never was. It’s a relationship — with the Earth, the elements, and the unseen world that exists all around us.

Religion asks for belief.
Shamanism invites experience.

At its heart, shamanism is about remembering what we’ve forgotten — that we are part of nature, not separate from it. It’s an ancient healing tradition rooted in direct connection: with spirit, with energy, and with the wisdom of the natural world. Long before temples and churches, there were caves, fires, and drumming circles. People didn’t pray to be saved — they danced, sang, and journeyed to understand.

Different Paths, One Earth

Just as there are many paths to healing, there are many kinds of shamans. Some work closely with plant medicine, using the consciousness of sacred plants as a bridge to deeper awareness. Others are ritual or ceremonial shamans, who guide people through energetic purification, soul retrieval, or ancestral healing using rhythm, smoke, sound, and movement.

There are also modern shamans — people like myself — who weave these ancient practices into a contemporary way of living. I don’t use plant medicine. My path is one of energy and ritual — a grounded, heart-led way of working with the unseen to bring healing and balance to everyday life.

Each path is valid. Each holds wisdom. The essence of shamanism is not in what tools are used — it’s in the intention and connection behind them.

The Rituals I Practice

My personal rituals are simple yet profound — they keep me grounded in a world that often tries to pull us away from what matters most.

I begin most mornings by lighting sage or palo santo, not out of superstition, but as an act of presence. The rising smoke reminds me to breathe, to clear the energy of the night, and to enter the day intentionally.

When I facilitate ceremonies — whether through shamanic drumming, soul retrieval, or energy activation — I always open sacred space. I call in the four directions: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Each one represents an aspect of our being — the body, the mind, the spirit, and the emotions. It’s not religious; it’s energetic hygiene. Just like we clean our physical bodies, our energetic bodies need care too.

Drumming is another cornerstone of my practice. The beat of the drum mirrors the heartbeat of Mother Earth — steady, grounding, ancient. It helps people journey beyond the mind’s noise into the deep knowing of the soul. In that space, profound healing occurs — not because I’m doing something to them, but because I’m holding space for their own wisdom to rise.

And at night, I often return to ritual — a candle, a few moments of gratitude, sometimes a conversation with my ancestors. The intention is always the same: connection.

Why Shamanism Matters Now

We live in a world overflowing with noise, speed, and distraction. We’ve been conditioned to look outside ourselves for truth and validation. Shamanic practice brings us back inward — to the rhythm of our own heart, the whisper of the wind, the medicine of silence.

You don’t have to wear feathers or travel to the Amazon to embody shamanic wisdom. You simply have to remember. Remember that your intuition is your compass. Remember that nature speaks when you slow down enough to listen. Remember that energy doesn’t lie — it reveals exactly what is ready to be healed.

In my work with Embodied Energy Wellness™, I help people bridge the ancient with the modern — to find spirituality that feels normal, grounded, and deeply human. Shamanism, to me, isn’t something we “learn.” It’s something we reawaken to.

Closing Reflection

So no, shamanism isn’t religion. It’s rhythm. It’s reverence. It’s remembering who we truly are — powerful, connected beings of Earth and Spirit.

The rituals I practice aren’t about worship. They’re about relationship — with myself, with nature, and with the energies that hold us all together.

And perhaps that’s what the modern world is craving most — not another set of beliefs, but a deeper sense of belonging.