Konstantin Roninio, founder of the ethnopsychological travelers club Odysseia, a talented researcher and mystic, has dedicated himself to studying shamanism in regions where it still exists in its natural form: in remote parts of Siberia, Mexico, and especially in the Peruvian jungle.
What is shamanism and who are shamans?
I believe that shamanism is neither a religion nor a teaching. Shamanism is the oldest and most effective practice for entering altered states of consciousness, where natural and inherent abilities—seeing things as they truly are beyond temporal and spatial limitations and influencing life events using the power of consciousness—become accessible. Anyone can develop these abilities if their psyche and brain begin to function at full capacity, which often happens during shamanic ceremonies. Light shamans use this power to cleanse, heal, protect, and fill with light the people they work with.
Shamans are ordinary people who have mastered the method of entering these special states of consciousness through years of practice in traditional shamanic schools that still exist in some remote corners of our planet. The foundation of shamanic training is establishing a deep connection with the nature of the area where the shaman lives. To become a shaman, one must have a talent for this craft and great perseverance in training, which can last decades. It is generally easier for a person to become a shaman if they have shamanic ancestors and if there are strong living shamans nearby from whom they can learn. Unfortunately, most shamanic lineages are now breaking. Strong shamans are living out their final years on Earth. Whether many shamanic lineages can continue is an open question that, in my opinion, is of great importance to all of humanity.
More details about shamanism, modern shamans, and their role in shamanic ceremonies can be found in my book «Shamanism: The Bridge Between Worlds».
How does a shaman choose a student nowadays? Does the spirit guide the shaman to the student, or does the shaman make that choice on their own?
Practically any indigenous young man or woman who seriously undertakes the study of shamanic craft has a good chance of becoming a shaman because they have the real opportunity to accumulate the power of the ancestral spirits of their lineage. But to do this, they must go against the current of time, which pushes indigenous people towards modern civilization, leading them to dissolve into it and inevitably lose their roots.
If we take the Amazon region, where I’ve worked extensively over the past ten years, we’ll see that shamans almost have no real students. The youth in indigenous villages are moving away from traditional ways of life and are increasingly drawn to civilization, to cities. Even the obvious advantages of acquiring such a sought-after profession in their environment do not encourage them to learn. This is the result of the influence of civilization, which indigenous people have been subjected to over the last few decades.
It’s even more difficult for an outsider to become a true shaman. It’s hard to establish a deep connection with the nature where neither you nor your ancestors ever lived, which is vital in shamanic training. It’s hard to live a lifestyle you’ve never led. But ultimately, both master shamans and spirits respond to a person’s strength of intent. Nothing is impossible.
Why do indigenous people use power plants in shamanic ceremonies?
In some regions of our planet, such as the Amazon and Mexico, shamans traditionally use power plants in their practice. This is one of the most effective methods of entering heightened states of awareness. When we speak of authentic shamanic traditions, shamanic ceremonies today are conducted exactly as they were thousands of years ago. However, when city dwellers, wanting to play at shamanism, use these plants on their own, it’s mere recklessness that can be quite dangerous. Power plants should only be used in traditional shamanic ceremonies, in places where these traditions are alive, and only under the guidance of experienced shamans. These plants in a shamanic ceremony can take a person on a multi-hour journey, the experience of which can far exceed all the experiences accumulated by a person in their lifetime.
How does participating in shamanic ceremonies differ from using psychedelics on your own?
Experimenting with power plants on your own, and even more so with chemical psychedelics, is dangerous. I strongly advise against it. Shamans in ceremonies protect a person and guide their journey in the right direction. Without this, the outcome of the journey is unpredictable. The shaman at every moment of the ceremony sees and knows what is happening with the person. They never let the process go unmanaged. If a person is having a hard time during the journey, for example, if they’re going through a difficult experience or feel scared, the shaman knows how to guide them through that state and lead them to light and joy.
Is there addiction to power plants?
No, they do not cause addiction. Moreover, anyone who has undergone traditional ceremonies many times knows that it often takes considerable courage to decide to go on these journeys again. This path is not for the faint of heart.
How do ceremonies affect a person’s health? Are they harmful?
Participating in genuine shamanic ceremonies is not only not harmful but very beneficial for both physical and mental health.
How do ceremonies affect a person’s consciousness? Are there cases of insanity?
Participation in authentic shamanic ceremonies expands a person’s consciousness. It opens their eyes to many aspects of life, making their vision clearer and more objective. A person does not go insane during a ceremony. On the contrary, they have a chance to heal a range of mental problems and disorders.
Can health problems or diseases be treated through ceremonies?
Ceremonies have always been conducted for this purpose. It is the primary purpose of shamanic work.
Can ceremonies help quit smoking or overcome alcohol addiction?
Often, the result of participating in ceremonies is overcoming harmful attachments. When a person reviews their entire life during a ceremony, they make the right choices and decisions.
Can ceremonies help with depression?
Depression is something we create within ourselves. When we see these processes during a ceremony and understand their true cause, we can change them.
Can ceremonies help solve problems of close people and relatives?
As surprising as it may be, during shamanic ceremonies, we can very effectively influence people and events at a distance. In my practice, I have seen many confirmations of this. We can be especially effective in resolving family problems because we are closely connected with them.
Can the future be seen in ceremonies?
Sometimes this happens. But it’s important to remember that the future largely depends on us. During ceremonies, we can consciously create our future.
If I get rid of a problem in a vision, how much does it relate to real life?
It all depends on the depth of your trance. If you are in a deep trance and see the root of the problem, you can solve it. If you’re at a superficial level and imagine you’re solving problems, you’re deceiving yourself.
What does experiencing death in a ceremony mean?
This is one of the important aspects of shamanic experience. Experiencing death during a ceremony opens the gates to new knowledge, teaching us to go beyond the known world. Of course, we’re talking about a mystical experience of dying, not physical death.
How can one join a journey to shamans?
In recent years, our travelers’ club Odysseia has regularly organized open expeditions to authentic shamans in different countries of Latin America. Anyone interested can check the expedition schedule on the club’s website and join.
If a person has never practiced anything, can they participate in ceremonies?
Sometimes that’s even better. In the modern world, there are so many illusory practices that someone who hasn’t been involved in them is often in a better position.
Is any special preparation required for ceremonies?
A special diet must be followed a few days before shamanic ceremonies. We inform people who plan to attend ceremonies about it. No other special preparation is needed. You just need to be naturally open to new experiences and knowledge.
Are there any restrictions on participating in a ceremony?
In very rare cases, someone might be refused the opportunity to participate in a ceremony, but this is usually due to reasons related not so much to physical health as to their impure intentions.
How many ceremonies are needed to feel a significant effect and solve your problems?
This is highly individual for each person. The scale of the issues people seek to address can also vary greatly.
Are there visible changes in life after ceremonies?
Absolutely. Everyone who has undergone authentic shamanic ceremonies notes strong positive changes that continue long after the ceremonies.
Interview by Ekaterina Dudareva.
