106 SECRETS OF SHAMANISMBegin to shred your skin off (this may be done for you by
your power animal or other guardians of the place) and pile
it in a heap on the ground. Begin to pluck off all the flesh on
your bones all over your body. Systematically pile on the
ground all your organs and flesh until you are just a skeleton.
Take apart your skeleton until there is nothing of your body
left intact.
Heap wood on the pile and burn it until there is nothing
but ash left. Mix some water with the ashes and use the clay
to remold your bones and body parts with it. Systematically
build your body back up again until you are whole.
Return with your power animal or guardian to the en-
trance or opening into the earth. Notice how you feel.Exercise #1: The Steps- Relax and close your eyes.
- Approach your cave or other opening.
- Meet your power animal or guardian; state your
purpose; follow instructions. - Travel to the underworld; find your place to begin.
- Take your body apart from the skin to the bones;
pile it. - Burn the pile down to ash.
- Mix water to make clay; remold yourself.
- Return with and thank your guardian; notice how
you feel.
Appropriate Destruction: Possessions
Destruction and death are an integral part of the web of
power that supports all creativity and new life forms. There-
fore learning how to use destruction appropriately and how
to get rid of anything that does not contribute to your stated
goals in life is important. Shamans know that all possessions
have some of your life force invested in them to the extent of
your attachment to them. Remember again that to a shaman,
thoughts and feelings are forms that go out and become at-
tached anywhere they are sent. Anything you hang on to
makes you less rather than more powerful. To become more
powerful and therefore more successful, do as the shamans
would. Eliminate and let go of as much as possible of the
unnecessary things in your life.
Here are some different categories of things that you can