1) Decide what amount of time or what distance you want to walk each day (you can adjust this later).

2) The first half of walk, you get to talk. Talk to your guides, your totems, your angels or Universe in general. Talk about what's on your mind, or what's going on in your life, or what you want or need. Talk about anything that's important to you or that you need help with.

3) The second half of walk, you get to listen. Take in everything your guides or Universe is trying to express to you. Feel your feelings, feel sensations in your body, hear sounds around you, smell smells, and take in sights. Become an instrument of listening and absorbing.

If you take this walk daily at about same time every day, you will have established a consistent connection with higher. In other words, it's a scheduled appointment between you and your higher helpers. It's a time when you can truly connect, listen and be heard. Your life will increase in richness, depth, and understanding. This and other daily rituals will become like a maypole around which your life revolves with steadiness and strength. Enjoy!

Still others had a big dream, went on a vision quest or entered an apprenticeship with another shaman. Some became shamans because it was a family tradition, much like doctors tend to run in families. Some were forced to become shamans because of a need in community. Sometimes shamans and village elders watched children, searching for a distinguishing sign or omen; they looked for troublemaker, curious one, adventurer, leader or shy one. When they found what they felt was right personality, they often placed that child in training...even against their wishes, since needs of tribe were considered more important.

Today, there are still traditional shamans in every culture, but there are also modern shamans. There are people today who have reawakened an interest in this ancient profession and are in training.

Jeremiah P. Huck