‘All things are in constant relationship, and the shamanic path is the choice to put one’s self in direct contact and concert with that relationship.’
S.Kelly Harrell, Gift of the Dreamtime
Following my last blog, I’ve reflected further to explore my third theme for 2023: ‘I’ll explore the connection between my photography subjects and my shamanic practice more explicitly, seeking a deeper and more integrated understanding of both…’. In past months this has slowly grown in significance for me in relation to my photography…
Briefly, having attended a two-year course in 2013-15, with a third year in 2021/22, I’ve been following what some might consider is the rather esoteric path of shamanic healing which I understand for some may seem unusual, unexpected - even questionable in today’s modern world! I fully appreciate and respect that view: however, I can only say that for the past ten years, through this world view and after a lot of reflection, self-work and practice, I’ve found my spiritual ‘home’. And having declared some time ago that ‘I am a landscape photographer seeking the deeper meaning’, it’s now through my practice that I seek this deeper meaning: it’s not only my world view, but is also an integral part of my photographic philosophy, approach, and outcomes too.
As well as the considerable range of work undertaken through the three year course, I have over 20 books on shamanic belief systems, which archaeologists and anthropologists suggest have been practiced for up to 40,000 years: so to briefly summarise it in any meaningful way here is a challenge! I’ve therefore concluded that to make it more manageable for me to describe, and hopefully more digestible for you - that this year’s blogs will be devoted to various aspects of this set of beliefs to provide a highly personalised interpretation of this ancient and multi-farious world view and how it has come not only to integrate with, but also impact, my photography.
So what is shamanic practice? For me, in its simplest form, it’s primarily about being in continual connection with nature and the universe, not in some New Age, happy-clappy way, but being deeply grounded at all times such that connections can be made in any situation to handle day-to-day situations, questions and challenges more effectively. Shamanic practice is not a religion, with an organisational structure or creed, neither is it a cult with all the negative connotations that that sugggests. It’s a highly personalised belief system drawn from 40,000 years of worldwide, mainly oral understanding, experiences and wisdom of our predecessors, which is also very relevant in today’s world. While geographically and historically the practices of different indigenous peoples might vary from continent to continent, there are discernible themes, beliefs and practices which are common. An analogy is that it’s rather like our growing understanding of fractals i.e. ‘.. a never-ending pattern that repeats itself at different scales - “self-similarity”.’ It’s this commonality that fascinates me and underpins my connection with all things natural...
As I described in my November blog, the first way my beliefs integrate with my photography is through my connection with the environment. These days, I intentionally go out to a pre-selected location, often around dawn as I love the quality of light and the peace this brings. On arrival, and before getting out my camera, tripod and rucksack, I stand and simply adjust to the surroundings, aiming to leave behind all the distractions of day-to-day life and the journey there. My meditiation includes: ‘Allow my thinking conscious mind to quieten and turn towards my super-conscious essence, knowing that all things are connected and healing ourselves heals others and the world as well.’ I then go through an additional meditation which I developed last year to help me achieve a deeper synergy with the energies of that place including: ‘I desire a deeper connection with the landscape, wishing to restore shapes and forms through past broken perceptions, as well as to restore, heal and seek deeper insights and understanding…’. I’m then ready to find compositions and creativity that I might not have done had I simply arrived and got going straight away. As I’ve said before - it’s about setting the intention…
I’ve found that since more consciously integrating these practices, I’m more aware of the essence of each place I visit and discover improved and more creative perspectives of my chosen subjects. Once processed, the aim of each image’s title is to evoke something of that connection, either in the moment when I was there, or what occurs to me while processing as I reflect further on each image.
Of course, this is all highly subjective as is any creative endeavour, but I feel I have a more consistent purpose, focus and approach for my work which I hope in the coming months will provide a deepening understanding of the natural world and my place in it that translates into my images. You might like to take a moment to view each image with its title and see what might occur for you: are there any images that particularly strike you as you momentarily pause to absorb its detail evoking a connection, a meaning or a valued memory for you? Or you might have given it another title…!
Let me know about your experience in the comments below or via email - your experience is as valid as mine :-)
Next month: Honouring the ancestors…