The Dangers Of The Middle World

Most of what we know as psychic phenomena actually happens in the shamanic middle world, or that world which is the spiritual parallel of the one we are living in. This part of the non-ordinary reality is ruled by a controlled visionary experience. Navigating through this plain is said to be the most difficult and thus requires one to be very knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to shamanic journeys. When one first begins his shamanic journey, this is the plain in the non-ordinary reality that he will usually find himself in. Whether it is an integrated part of or is a superimposed version of the ordinary reality, as we know it, is up to the journeying shaman's personal perspective.

Like in other worlds, a variety of spirits also abound on this realm— Nature spirits like the wind, trees, stones, mountains, storms, and the like;Spirits of ancestors;Intrusions or harmful energies sent forth by malicious persons who aim to hurt and cause grief;Deceased people's spirits who have not yet crossed over;Nonhuman spirits like elves, fairies, gnomes and the like The spirits that guide this particular world cannot be categorized as either good or bad, especially those depicted by objects and events in nature. When rain falls down too hard that it causes a variety of hassles, we can just assume that it is its nature to be like that. Being naturally 'non-thinking' elements in the environment, these nature spirits are expected to act the way they are designed to do without consideration to how these actions and/or events may affect us. In this sense, they become non-benevolent, destructive forces that disrupt the unity of the ordinary reality in which we live in.

A shaman who wishes to take this journey to the middle world should be well prepared and sufficiently empowered so as not to get unnecessarily entangled in the spiritual chaos within this particular realm. When a person goes on a journey to this world, well prepared, the naturally ignorant, non-benevolent spirits that abound in there will not be posing any kind of threat, but would instead seem like mere nuances on his way. This requires a close and well-established relationship with one's spiritual teachers and/or power animals. Otherwise, walking into this plain can be likened to walking straight into a landmine—you may never know what's going to hit you and hit you next.

These ignorant spirits may cause inexperienced shaman harm by *** out his vitality, subsequently taking advantage of the vulnerability that follows in order to sustain themselves through him like parasites *** on their host. Shamanic journeys are undertaken as a way to empower ourselves, and not cause harm to ourselves as well as to others. Always remember that the ego does not have a place in shamanic principles and should therefore be left at the door. A journey to the middle world intended to merely satisfy one's curiosity is the most dangerous activity a beginning shaman may ever take.