COMING HOME TO THE COSMOLOGY
By Itzhak Beery
Most shamans believe that the known world is only one
of three. They believe that like our bodies (legs, torso, and head),
our cosmos is divided into three main portions, the Lower World, the
Middle World and the Upper World.
Each of these worlds has its own characteristics,
symbolisms and power. Each can also be understood as relevant to our
physical, emotional and spiritual lives.
The Lower World
The foundation of creation is The Lower World,
traditionally called, the Underworld. It plays a big role in the
ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies.
Later, with the development of Christianity, it
transformed to be associated with the concept of Hell and the place of
punishment by burning.
Some cultures believe that there are more levels in the
underworld. Different shamans experience these differently in their
trance visions.
In the Mayan tradition there are nine levels,
representing the nine levels of consciousness one needs to go through
to reach enlightenment. The ancient Hebrews believed that Sheol
(underworld) is divided to either four subsections, or two major ones.
The Lower World is the realm that is associated with
the Mother, or feminine energy, and the cycle of life, death and
rebirth. It corresponds to the element of Fire, the transforming
element that is in the Earth's core. Fire infuses us with our life
force and embodies us with primal passion and sexual potency.
Shamans journey into the Lower World through a portal
in the earth, with the help of rapid monotonous drum or rattle beats,
or plant medicine on behalf of their patients. Within the shamanic
tradition it is believed that you can find the healing and wisdom of
Power Animals in the Lower World. Amazonian shamans often work with the
anaconda which represents the forces of change and the white dove which
represents the messenger between the different worlds.
The Middle World
The Middle World, also called the Physical Realm, is
the world in which we live. It is positioned between the worlds of
Heaven and the Underworld. In the shamanic tradition this is the world
of dreams, illusions and of make believe."The world is as we dream it,"
the Amazonian shamans claim.
The Middle World is
represented by the element of Water, which is symbolized by Emotion.
Emotion is energy in motion, a world, like water, in constant change
that flows in one direction, from birth to death, from beginning to
end. Water needs a container to hold it otherwise it shapeless. The
middle world is such a container.
The Middle
World also consists of unseen earthly powers, magical forces, and
spirits. Organic powers such as spirits and gods and mechanical powers
such as gravity and electricity.
Shamans journey
to the Middle World, connecting through the spirit of mountains,
springs, trees and other living things, if they want to "see" or
"visit" people or events in distant places, to bring knowledge and to
affect change in this realm.
The Upper World
The realm of
the dead, our ancestors is the Upper World. There one can find amongst
the dead, angels, gods and spiritual teachers. Many cultures count more
than one level at this world: seven, nine, thirteen, eighteen and even
ninety nine.
The Upper World is symbolized by the
Air element. This realm represents thoughts, ideas, light and
inspiration. Some believe that after passing through the Lower World
you emerge within this celestial realm, where you can connect with the
source of creation (God). Commonly we think of the upper world as
Heaven, a place of joy and light, contrary to the Lower World that is
marked by death and sadness.
In the Greek
religion, the Upper World is ruled by Zeus, the king of the Gods.
Shamans journey to this world to obtain knowledge from ancestors'
spirits and the dead.
The three worlds are within us
The Quechuan shamans, also known as the Yachaks believe that the three physical worlds are reflected in human bodies.
The
legs represent the lower world, our connection to the Earth and roots.
Strong legs are the conduits which bring the nutrients and fire into
our furnace, or sexual organs.
The torso, the
middle world, is the world of constant physiological and emotional
changes. As a bridge between the lower and the upper parts, it needs to
be kept healthy and physically powerful.
The head
is the upper world - a place for thoughts, ideas, spiritual practice
and our connection to the ethereal. We need to exercise this gate by
mediations and prayers.
Would you like to experience those worlds, by taking a shamanic journey?
Lie
down comfortably on your back in a quiet and dark place and cover your
eyes. If you do not have a drumming CD to listen to, put your hands on
your heart and concentrate on the heart beats.
Inhale,
exhale, and imagine that you are entering through an opening (a spring,
a cave, a crack in the ground or anything else) into a tunnel that
leads to the center of the Earth. Feel the temperature and observe your
surroundings as intimately as you can.
Do you see
animals, trees or any other entities? If you do, ask them if they have
any special message for you to help you in your daily life, and wait
for an answer.
Thank the messengers and go back
through the tunnel to the Middle World and while you are there observe
its terrain. What do you see? If you see or meet another person,
natural object (a tree, rock, mountain etc.) or animal, ask that spirit
for a message too and give thanks.
Now, imagine
you are entering a tree trunk and ascending to the top of the tree.
Allow yourself to go higher, through to the clouds, and see if you can
meet a teacher, who may give you a message regarding your daily life.
Be thankful for the message and come back to the middle world.
Inhale,
exhale and open your eyes. Write down the three different messages you
just received. Are they different? Is there any common theme?
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