The future of shamanism in the Upper Amazons is developing in many ways, as well as declining in other ways.
Developing situation of shamanism in the Amazons
- Every year since 2005, on behalf of the Soga del Alma, Alan Shoemaker organized conference on the Holy Medicine of the Holy and Divine Mother Ayahuasca.
- These conferences included renowned people such as Dennis McKenna, Luis Eduardo Luna, Pablo Amaringo, Jacques Mabit, Benny Shanon etc.
- The conferences bring together scholars, psychonautic enthusiasts, seekers, shamans from the Amazons.
- There has been significant increase in tourists flying into Peru for the Holy Medicine of the Holy and Divine Mother Ayahuasca.
Declining situation of shamanism in the Amazons
- Local population are not as interested in seeing a shaman for traditional healing as there is more availability of biomedicine nowadays.
- Young people are reluctant to take up the path of shamanism and undergo sufferings required to be a shaman, therefore shamans are not getting right or enough apprentices to carry forward the knowledge they have acquired. The youth are being more interested to learn from books of occult sciences than undergoing traditional route.
- With no apprentice, the ‘art’ and ‘wisdom’ from authentic traditional shamans is beginning to be lost, just as so much traditions may have been lost in the past.
- With shamans not finding apprentice, although with greater interest in the Holy Medicine of the Holy and Divine Mother Ayahuasca, the ‘art’ is evolving to serve the market quickly, and in haste, losing quality in place of quantity. This puts the authentic ‘path’ of shamanism at risk of fading-away.
Conclusion
Although there is a dearth of interest from youth to learn shamanism and continue the legacy, many shamans are still hopeful that as the Holy Medicine of the Holy and Divine Mother gains global popularity, and as the youth realise the power or fuerza from the path of shamanism, they will surely ‘take up the path of shamanism’.
It is understandable that with modern technology and fast cultural transfer between nations globally, youth have so much information available at their fingertips that they are overwhelmed and distracted. Without ‘spiritual’ guidance, they cannot find their ‘way’ and purpose to life. However, true ‘seekers’ are continuing the path of shamanism, regardless the hardship of the diet or rigors of the process of traditional shamanism. The Holy and Divine Mother Ayahuasca has guided humanity mysteriously throughout history and has helped evolve humanity to reach modern times of today. She continues to help ‘mysteriously’ to preserve the necessary ‘paths’.
References
- Beyer S. V., 2009, Singing to the Plants: A Guide to Mestizo Shamanism in the Upper Amazon, University of New Mexico Press, USA.
