There are 3 elements to being a Shaman: intent, emotional control and impeccable skills. Here we will look at intent.

"Intent is not a thought, or an object, or a wish. Intent is what can make a man succeed when his thoughts tell him that he is defeated. It operates in spite of warrior’s indulgence. Intent is what makes him invulnerable. Intent is what sends a shaman through a wall, through space, to infinity." – Carlos Castaneda

Intent is basis of manipulating this reality for anything including healing and manifestation. Reality is quite malleable really. It is just that we don’t use our will or intent to make it best it could be.

“Inflowing thoughts come to an end in those who are ever alert of mind, training themselves night and day, and ever intent on nirvana." - Buddha

Often we say we want something, but deep down in our hearts be really don’t want that. And then we cry out in anguish because we don’t have that “thing” in our lives.

"Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated." – George Santayana

Our reality is completely and entirely based upon our intent. You say, How can that be? I did not create this world, this country or this house. But you do accept intentions given to you by your parents, your relatives, your school, your community, and your society. We have been taught as babies to accept realities of others for generations. This is simple psychosociology 101. We are even taught to fear anything but these realities and so life changes at a very slow pace indeed!

So yes, you aligned your intent for housing to that of your relatives. Your idea of social success is same intention as your society at large. This is not necessarily a bad thing! But it shows power of intent. One more example is phrase we hear “If it is not good for me or meant to be then God will not give it to me.” I think this is probably a good intent to inherit because you intend only good things for yourself this way. Without intending only good things in some way, you would have to assume responsibility for all bad things that happen to as well. Get my drift? You are responsible.

A Shaman is a warrior, a hunter. He is on his highest alert, fully prepared, moving deliberately with his intention held firmly in place in forefront of his mind. He is ready for anything, being emotionally centered although feeling excitement of hunt and anticipation of successful outcome. No one could sneak up on a good hunter. It is he who is doing stalking.

The hunter knows his skills, has practiced a long time, and knows where to look for game he needs. A hunter has heightened his senses so he can smell wind and see in low light. He knows a bear or wolf can attack him at anytime so he does his very best every minute. To do less may mean his death.

What causes Shaman to seek impeccability? The Shaman knows that death walks with him on his left side close enough to reach out and touch him at any moment. It is in this understanding that all we have is today, right now, to be best we can be, that we are called to be constantly walking path of impeccability. When one’s mortality is always a present thought we begin to see our lives with different eyes. Ask anyone suffering from a terminal disease and they will tell you how precious it is to watch a sunrise, to see a child sleeping, to hug your dog. We learn to wash dishes as though it is last time we may ever wash dishes. It becomes a ceremony, an act of love and a joy to perform. Death becomes a friend, an ally, a guide to what is most important right now in our lives, what we most need to do and be and say to those we love. There is no time to wait until tomorrow.