Meet the shadow work in shamanism, a spiritual healing process of internal wounds through spiritual journeys, rituals, and the use of sacred plants.
Shamanism, as an ancient spiritual practice, serves as a unique and deep path for exploring the inner shadows of a person. Through powerful rituals, spiritual journeys, and holistic healing, the shaman acts as a guide and intermediary between worlds, helping a person deal with fears, pain, and repressed parts of their soul. This work not only serves as a means of dealing with inner fears, but also offers a way for deep spiritual healing and the attainment of inner balance.

A little about shamanism
Shamanism is a spiritual practice that has spread worldwide and has been an integral part of various indigenous cultures for thousands of years. The words "shaman" and "shamanism" originate from Siberian languages and describe the spiritual figure who served as a leader and healer in various communities. Shamanism can be found in North and South America, Siberia, Mongolia, Africa, and Australia—anywhere that an indigenous culture with a strong connection to nature and the spiritual realms developed. Shamans were known as spiritual healers, and they served as intermediaries between the spirit world and the physical world. Shamans not only helped heal the bodies of the sick, but also acted as spiritual guides in inner journeys aimed at understanding the human soul and causing spiritual and conscious changes. They were familiar with the “shadow” of a person and the need to heal it. Shamans used songs, drums, and dances to create trance states in which they could communicate with spirits or spiritual entities. The goal of spiritual work was not only to heal the person physically but also to balance the spirit and help them cope with traumatic experiences, fears, and repressed impulses.
The shaman as an intermediary between worlds
In the worldview of shamans, every spiritual experience and inner struggle can be viewed as something beyond the physical reality. The shaman is considered a linking figure capable of engaging in dialogue with spiritual entities, guiding the believer through inner journeys, and helping them confront their inner shadows. When a person experiences mental difficulties or emotional problems, the shaman works to identify the spiritual source of the issue and brings healing by balancing the body, mind, and spirit. A shaman from a particular tradition may use sacred plants or spiritual processes to release the person from internal pain. The use of such plants, like ayahuasca or peyote, allows the patient to "leave" the known frame of time and space and experience the spirit realms in an experiential way. In shamanic "shadow work," the emphasis is placed on working with the darker sides of the soul, those repressed parts that have never been recognized or understood. At this stage, the shaman helps the person confront the “shadow spirits”—the fears, traumas, and painful experiences buried deep in the consciousness. This process happens by acknowledging the painful emotions and understanding their origins, allowing the person to release emotional burdens and gain new inner understanding.
Confronting the shadow and the dark parts of the soul
In many shamanic cultures, the "shadow" of a person is not only an abstract concept but a separate entity that represents the repressed and unprocessed parts of the soul. These may be past traumas, repressed fears and impulses, or experiences of spiritual and emotional imbalance. Each of these elements becomes part of the person's shadow, and sometimes it can take the form of demons or spirits opposing the person's inner light. The "shadow" is not necessarily a bad thing—it reflects what remains unprocessed in consciousness, what the person has not dared to confront. In some shamanic cultures, working with the shadow is not only a process of healing but also one of spiritual growth. The person does not only "release" the shadows but also learns to understand them, learn from them, and sometimes even accept them as part of the developmental process. The shamanic work with shadows is primarily conducted through spiritual journeys. In this work, the shaman or the patient meets the shadow in order to understand the source of those fears, pains, or traumas. It is an intense process in which one must acknowledge and harness all inner resources to release the pain and transform it into renewed power.
The spiritual journey as shadow work
A spiritual journey is a central tool in shamanic shadow work. It is a trance experience in which the soul separates from the body and enters a different spiritual dimension. Typically, the spiritual journey occurs with the aid of sacred tools like drums, music, or psychoactive plants.
During the journey, the person experiences the world in a different way, often in ways that open their eyes and heart. They encounter their inner shadows, experiences of pain, fear, or negative images that have been hidden deep in their consciousness. The work is not necessarily about confronting these things through denial, but about observing them honestly and marvelously, accepting them, and understanding their significance.
During the journey, the person does not judge the shadows but looks at them with courage and love, in order to understand their place in the development process. Thus, shamanic work with shadows is not only intended to free the person from pain, but also to allow them to truly recognize themselves, understand the dark forces driving them, and control them consciously.
For example, a person who has undergone traumatic childhood experiences might encounter an image of the "wounded child" during the spiritual journey. The encounter with this image allows them to access the internal pain, understand it, and release it in symbolic and spiritual ways. In this process, the person may reclaim lost parts of the soul and experience spiritual renewal.
Healing through symbols and guide spirits
One of the central ways in which the shaman works with shadows is through the use of guide spirits. These are spiritual entities that accompany the person, sometimes as "spiritual teachers" helping them in the healing process. During the spiritual journey, the shaman encounters the guide spirits, who help them identify the source of fears and traumas, and guide them along the path of healing and understanding.
The guide spirits can appear in various forms—spiritual people, animals, or other natural symbols—and their role is not only to guide but also to provide emotional and spiritual support during the release and healing process. The shaman uses this knowledge to create personalized healing experiences, where each person receives what they need, and there is the possibility of viewing the shadows not just as negative forces but as a stage in the process of spiritual growth.
Through working with guide spirits, the person learns not only to release the shadows within but also to develop a deeper spiritual connection to themselves and the world around them.
The role of the shaman as a shadow healer and intermediary between worlds
In shamanic cultures, the shaman not only leads the patient in spiritual journeys but also serves as a guide and spiritual healer. Their main role is to act as an intermediary between worlds—the physical world and the spiritual realm. The shaman not only connects the person with guide spirits and their inner shadows but also helps them understand the meaning of their experiences and resolve the pain they carry.
The shaman themselves may be a spiritual figure filled with inner strength and a strong connection to the spiritual realms, allowing them to function as a guide and leader in trance states, spiritual journeys, and dialogues with spiritual entities. Their ability to move between worlds and be present in both the physical and spiritual aspects enables them to help a person return to balance and wholeness.
The work of the shaman as a shadow healer includes several important stages:
Guidance and direction: The shaman leads the person through the spiritual journey and helps them navigate complex and difficult experiences. They are there to ensure that the person does not collapse under the weight of the shadows they encounter.
Identification and understanding of the trauma sources: The shaman must identify the person’s deepest wounds, the sources of pain and repressed traumas. They help the person look at them, understand them, and heal them.
Releasing fears and healing the shadow spirits: The shaman works with guide spirits to release old fears, traumatic experiences, or negative images trapped in the soul. Through rituals and spiritual dialogue, the shaman restores the person’s ability to heal and connects them to hidden sources of strength in their consciousness.
Restoring lost soul parts: Sometimes, as a result of traumas and difficult emotional situations, parts of the soul may be lost or disconnected. In certain rituals, the shaman is able to locate and restore the lost soul parts, bringing the person back to full spiritual and emotional balance.
In shamanic cultures, true healing is perceived as unity of the three main layers—the soul, body, and spirit. The process of spiritual healing does not stop at acknowledging the trauma but involves working with each of these layers to create a complete release of all pain and distress. The shaman helps the person regain their mental integrity, connect to their spiritual strengths, and find the path to healing and growth.
Between shamanism and shadow work
Shamanism offers a powerful and multidimensional spiritual way to confront the inner shadows of a person. It allows access to the deeper layers of consciousness, where fears, traumas, and repressed memories are hidden. Working with shadows, which is done through spiritual journeys, rituals, and the use of sacred plants, helps the person understand the power of shadows and release them with love and respect.
When a person is able to see and recognize their inner shadows, they suddenly find the way to heal, grow, and develop. Shadow work is not just a correction of past experiences but also personal and spiritual growth, leading the person to inner balance and connection to their sources of power. The great importance of shamanic healing lies in the understanding that shadows are not enemies to be avoided, but an integral part of who we are. Through understanding and working with shadows, one can reach inner light and fuller lives.
As the familiar saying goes: "To reach the light, we must not be afraid to descend into the darkness." Through shamanism, the person learns to recognize and confront these shadows, thus finding the way to a richer, fuller, and more liberated life.
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