Jose ATID LENA STEVENS 5Although both of us have encountered near-death experi-
ences, neither of us has undergone severe initiatory trials,
nor have we received formal initiations as shamans. We do
not believe that formal initiation is necessary to allow one to
benefit from the shamanic perspective. Nor do we believe
that severe suffering is necessary for a person to learn the
value of the inner ways. Historically, extreme hardship and
surviving severe trials has often been the only way that some
people were willing to embrace the shamanic way of life. We
believe there is another way, the way of slow, gentle learning
about the powers of the inner world.
Two different approaches to learning are reflected in the
way people come to learn the shamanic method. In the first,
novices must undergo profound and often life-threatening
experiences that propel them into shamanic work. After
years of practicing the traditional techniques and forms, they
gradually learn how and why the methods work. They can
explain shamanism to themselves and perhaps to others. The
second style of learning reflects more of the modern Western
approach. Here novices learn about shamanism gradually
and are gently guided into its ways, being able to explain it to
themselves as they go. There are advocates of both ways and
we believe that because people are vastly different, there are
people who learn better under one style than another. Per-
haps the best way to learn is a good mix of both hands-on
experience under the tutelege of a teacher, a little self-
reflection, and flying by the seat of your pants. There is no
single right way to do it. Whatever way you learn will be the
right way for you.