Shamanism may be understood as a family of ancient spiritual practices in which a designated practitioner, the shaman, enters altered states of consciousness to interact directly with a spirit world on behalf of individuals and the wider community. This interaction is typically oriented toward healing, divination, and the restoration of balance when relationships between humans and spirits are perceived to be disturbed. The shaman acts as an intermediary between the physical and spiritual realms, engaging with spirits of nature, ancestors, animals, and other entities that are believed to populate reality. Within this worldview, illness and misfortune are often interpreted as manifestations of spiritual imbalance or intrusion, and healing involves reordering these subtle relationships rather than merely addressing physical symptoms.

A defining feature of shamanic practice is the deliberate induction of trance or ecstatic states, often through rhythmic drumming, chanting, dancing, fasting, breathwork, or the use of psychoactive plants. In these altered states, the shaman is said to journey through non-ordinary realms, sometimes described as upper, middle, and lower worlds, in order to seek knowledge, power, or guidance. This journeying is not pursued as an abstract mystical exercise, but as a concrete means of performing tasks such as soul retrieval, extraction of harmful influences, divination, and guidance for the living and the dead. The shaman typically works with spirit allies or power animals, who serve as guides and protectors within these subtle domains.

Shamanism differs from many other spiritual paths in its emphasis on direct, experiential contact with spirits rather than on scripture, fixed doctrine, or centralized religious authority. In contrast to traditions that prioritize devotional worship, moral codes, or philosophical insight, shamanic work is primarily pragmatic: it seeks to heal illness, resolve crises, secure well-being, and obtain information that is otherwise hidden. The shaman’s role is that of a specialist, often marked by a particular calling or apprenticeship, rather than a universal path that all members of a community are expected to follow. This specialist vocation is embedded in local or tribal contexts and tends to be non-institutional and non-dogmatic, relying on experiential knowledge and ritual efficacy more than on formal theology.

Another important distinction lies in the shamanic understanding of the world as animated by spirits and structured in multiple, interpenetrating layers. While other traditions may also speak of heavens, hells, or subtle realms, shamanism places unique emphasis on the active navigation of these realms to accomplish specific tasks for the community. Rituals are often highly embodied, involving movement, sound, and symbolic tools such as drums, rattles, masks, and costumes that both express and facilitate engagement with the spirit world. Within this framework, spiritual power and protection are central concerns, as the shaman negotiates with helpful and harmful forces to safeguard individuals and the community, seeking not only insight but also tangible transformation in the fabric of everyday life.