Secrets of Shamanism

96 SECRETS OF SHAMANISM

from the bark of trees. He learned the art of making

strong shoes for protection from the sharp ice and cold.

One day the old woman said to him, "You have

learned enough to help your people. You must now return

to them for they need you." So after thanking her pro-

fusely, Queta drew forth his crystal and returned to his

own village of the future. When he awoke, he was lying

on the ground. Anka had fallen asleep, the silent drum

lying on the ground next to him. When Queta sternly

shook him, Anka awoke apologetically. "I'm sorry, Queta.

You were gone for so long, I fell asleep. You have been

lying there for two whole days." Queta taught his people

the ways he had learned to cope with the cold. The peo-

ple would live now and be warm.

Exercise #4: Retrieving Lost Knowledge
This exercise involves a very simple journey format. Use
a drum (or tape). Tempo: approximately three beats per sec-
ond.
Follow the usual relaxation procedure. Think of a skill or
talent that you wish you had. It could be that you wish you
were better at making friends or you were a better skier.
Imagine your entrance to the Earth. Meet your guide or
power animal and ask them for help retrieving lost knowl-
edge in your area of interest. Allow them to take you to a
location or place where you can find that knowledge.
During your journey you may read what you want to
know in an ancient book or talk to someone expert in that
field as Queta did. On the other hand you may see someone
who resembles you, performing the activity that you wish to
know more about. Notice the details about that person. In-
troduce yourself to them. They may give you a gift or a sym-
bol.
Upon returning and thanking your guide, recall the de-
tails about what you saw. If you saw a version of yourself
performing the activity, remember what they wore and how
they acted. For example if you noticed that they wore a silver
ring on one finger, go out and get yourself a silver ring like it
and wear it. Try acting like they acted for an hour or so.
Reproducing a detail from the dream as a kind of sym-
bolic reminder is a most important aspect of this technique.
The symbol acts as a channel for wisdom to penetrate
through the time barrier into present reality. You don't have
to understand this for it to work. We suggest you try it out
for your own experience.