From Knowledge to Wisdom

The Importance of a Teacher

I feel this is a topic that we need to look at and it will play out far into the future as well.

I hear from people often, that they ‘know’ what they need to do.  Or that they already ‘know’ something so they are not here to relearn.  But I wonder are they here to go beyond knowledge?

A little example…

In Belize I find myself volunteering at the local ballet school.  And I was taken for a pause when the students were just watching me.  So I asked them why they weren't practicing.  And then one said, “I already know that.”

I paused for I found this such a fascinating comment.  Dance isn’t about knowing, its about dancing!  Once you know something, you start to practice and you will do it hundreds and hundreds of times!  So I started telling the students that first they can learn the steps, that is ‘step 1’.  Then, the dancing really begins - you get to practice, and you get to eventually explore the nuances of the art.

Shamanism is a healing art.  And while there is a high level of intuition and insight involved, it is also a practice that gets refined.  Intuition - yes, but there is so much more from that launchpad.

In mentoring shamanic students, I would occasionally hear from people who would come saying that they were already a shaman, that they know it and they don’t want to start “at the beginning”.  That they are ready to go far, go deep and do the tricky stuff.  Again, it makes me pause.

I get it, wanting to go far and deep and sure the tricky stuff requires experience!  That is shamanism.  Yet, shamanism is definitely not something that you ‘know’. It isn’t something that you read about and do once or twice.  The basics are far more challenging than the first glance.

When someone disregards the basics, I always wonder why?  As an artist, the basics become your everyday meditation and exploration, they tune your instrument, they assist you in deepening into you.

I guess my ‘ideal’ student would say something like, “I already know that I am intuitive and shamanically drawn, I have studied in books and mini courses, now I realize I need a teacher.  And I am excited to find out what more there is here… even within the simplest practices and all the way to complexities.  I know there is more here, can you help me?”

Everything is there waiting for you.  That is why we return again and again to the basics.  Each time, emptier, clearer and more ready to go deep.  Each time, learning, dissolving, receiving, and expressing our light.  This practice pushes you from the start.

So here I am contemplating the growing use of the AI search engines.  How they can answer “everything”.  It is kind of fun.  I too will look things up occasionally.

But the interesting thing is that the information feeds the logical brain - the knowledge brain, hungry for more.  Similar to acquiring things, you can acquire knowledge.  You can literally sit and consume information.  And its kind of cool.  You don’t have to get a bus to the library and search through rows of books and pages just to get an answer.

Similarly, I think of how you can go out and buy crystals, essential oils, feathers and beads, drums and rattles.  Yet, how do you work with them?  And how do they work with you?  What do they bring to you?  What have you done with them and what have you discovered?

There is an opportunity in each moment.

Wisdom is when you are brave enough to drop everything, especially everything you know and label.  You are in the living field of awareness, and the moment speaks to you through the trees, the Earth, the Waters, the animals, the ancestors.  Your creative ability merges with the creative ability of the Universe.  Its new, its fresh, you have never been there before.  Your practice and studies have served you well, and now it is time to fly.

I believe that Wisdom comes through the connection with a Teacher or Guide.  That is the step that is needed.  Knowledge can come from a book, a video or an AI generated answer.  But walking the walk comes from your relationship with another.

The teacher can see things that you may be missing.  They can draw forth your strengths and abilities.  The Guide can ask you to clarify or explore some aspect a bit more. Yet you will have to become a student... not an easy role for some.

For me, teachings can be understood from the cardinal directions.

• Some teachings come from the East - they are sweet, uplifting, new and fresh, they lift you up, inspire you.
• Some teachings come from the South - they fire you up, anger you at times, push you, make you ‘dig deep’ and then repeat!
• Other teachings are from the West - they soothe you, wipe you tears, allow you to curl up, they carry you.
• While teachings from the North - open you to the unknown, ask you to rest or pause, to drop-in to the mystery, to really let-go.

As we look at these teachers and teachings from the cardinal four directions, we can see that there isn’t really anything about knowledge there.  It is all about the application, embodiment and movement with the information.

That means this is about YOU - A physical, emotional and spiritual being with consciousness pulsing through the living waters.

No book, no search engine and no AI answer can give you the information about YOU.

My recommendation to you, my shamanically inclined friends… is to explore things that you already ‘know’.  And ask yourself how can you take this further.

How long has it been since you have done your basic practices?  And I don’t mean that you have simply lit the sage!

What have you discovered about your consciousness through the practice of journeying?

How long has it been since you have merged with your spirit guide?

Or sung your soul song with your drum

How long has it been since you have gone out in nature for an answer to what is needed for yourself at this time?

As always you are welcome to reach out to me anytime.

Many blessings to all, 

Kimba