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If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between meditation and shamanic journeying, you’re not alone. I get this question a lot because, on the surface, they seem pretty similar. Both involve turning inward, quieting the noise of daily life, and connecting with something deeper. But the truth is, they’re very different experiences, and understanding that difference can really help you choose the practice that best fits your needs.
I like to think of meditation as your calm, grounding best friend—the one who’s always there to help you settle and find your center. Shamanic journeying, on the other hand, is the wild, adventurous soul who takes you on unexpected, life-changing trips. Both are incredibly valuable, but they serve very different purposes. Let’s dive into what sets them apart and why you might want both in your spiritual toolkit.
Meditation: Grounding and Healing Through Presence
Meditation is all about stillness. It’s a practice of slowing down and simply being present in the moment. When you meditate, you’re not trying to change anything. Instead, you allow your thoughts, emotions, and sensations to come and go without judgment, creating a space for healing to unfold naturally.
Healing in meditation is often gentle. You may not always notice it happening in real time, but over time, the process of grounding yourself and releasing tension allows for deep emotional healing. Imagine it like tending to a garden: you’re not forcing the plants to grow, you’re just creating the conditions for them to do so. The quiet and calm of meditation give your mind and spirit the chance to reset, release what no longer serves you, and create a stronger sense of balance.
Meditation is perfect for:
Finding calm and grounding yourself
Releasing stress, anxiety, and emotional buildup
Deep healing through presence and stillness
Connecting with your inner peace
Shamanic Journeying: Exploring and Transforming Your Inner World
Shamanic journeying, on the other hand, is an active and intentional practice. It's not about sitting still—it's about diving into the depths of your subconscious and the spiritual realms. You enter a trance-like state, often aided by rhythmic drumming or other repetitive sounds, and embark on a journey to explore different worlds, meet spirit guides, or receive insights and guidance.
Where meditation allows for healing to unfold gently, shamanic journeying actively guides you to the heart of what needs transformation. It’s a bit like stepping into a canoe and letting it carry you to new, unknown territories. On a journey, you might uncover hidden emotions, receive guidance from animal spirits, or confront parts of yourself that are ready to heal. It can be vivid, interactive, and often leads to powerful breakthroughs.
Shamanic journeying is perfect for:
Gaining clarity and guidance on specific challenges
Actively healing deep emotional or energetic wounds
Receiving messages or wisdom from spirit guides
Exploring your subconscious and the spiritual realms
Can Both Practices Lead to Healing?
The short answer is yes! Both meditation and shamanic journeying can lead to deep healing, but they get you there in different ways.
In meditation, healing happens gently and passively. You may not even realize it’s happening while you’re meditating, but with time, the consistent practice of sitting in stillness allows your body and mind to process and release old emotions and stress. The act of slowing down gives your nervous system the chance to recalibrate, which leads to greater emotional and energetic balance.
Shamanic journeying, on the other hand, is more active. It’s about digging deeper, confronting what needs to be healed, and taking action in the spirit world. The journeys are vivid and transformational, allowing you to uncover layers of yourself you may have forgotten or blocked. In my own experience, shamanic journeying has helped me uncover hidden wounds and patterns, offering healing that’s often more immediate and profound.
So yes, both meditation and shamanic journeying offer healing—but one does it by gently creating space for change, while the other actively guides you to dive in and transform what’s ready.
The Key Differences
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison to show you the key differences:
Meditation | Shamanic Journeying |
Focuses on stillness and presence | Focuses on exploration and connection |
Healing happens gently and over time | Healing is active, transformative, and direct |
Observes thoughts and emotions | Engages with spirit guides and subconscious layers |
Calms, grounds, and restores | Opens up to spiritual insights and adventures |
Why You Might Want Both in Your Spiritual Toolkit
For me, meditation and shamanic journeying balance each other out. There are days when I need the calm, grounding energy of meditation to center myself. And then there are other days when I feel the pull to journey deeper, to uncover hidden truths, and to receive guidance from the spiritual realm. Both are powerful, and having both in your toolkit means you can choose the right practice depending on what you need.
Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, and you need the grounding, gentle healing of meditation. Or perhaps there’s something deep within you calling for transformation and guidance, in which case, shamanic journeying can help you uncover what’s ready to shift.
So, whether you’re sitting quietly by the river of meditation or jumping into the canoe of a shamanic journey, both practices can lead you to healing, clarity, and connection. And honestly, sometimes the best practice is a little bit of both.
Ready to dive deeper into your healing journey? Explore my collection of guided journeys designed to help you connect with your inner world, release energy that no longer serves you, and embrace transformation at your own pace. Check them out here.
With love and light,
Danielle
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