There are three worlds in basic neo-shamanic practice – the upper, the middle, and the lower worlds. These worlds comprise the overview of neo-shamanic cosmology, and each has its own nuances and unique natures. These three worlds exist in both ordinary and non-ordinary reality. In our everyday ‘normal’ reality, these worlds have specific properties that can be named, observed, and even manipulated. In non-ordinary reality, we become humble visitors in the worlds of helper spirits, earth and cosmic consciousness, ascended masters, and even lost or earthbound souls. Neither of these realities is preferred over the other, as knowledge and experience of both helps us understand ourselves and our role on this earth and in this life.
THE UPPER WORLD
The upper world in ordinary reality is anything that exists beyond our atmosphere. Essentially, it is the universe beyond earth’s border. It is the stars, galaxies, nebulas, black holes, anti-matter, and all things ‘outer space’. As humans, we cannot cross the border into the upper world without help. We can observe this upper world through telescopes, satellites and even spacecraft, but we cannot float in an oxygen deprived environment or touch a quasar star or black hole. We are limited to observation, but we are denied the actual experience of space and cosmos.
The upper world in non-ordinary reality holds essentially the same set of observations and restrictions. The upper world is the realm of ascended masters, teachers, and guides. It’s home to those who have come before us and transcended the human experience. We can journey to this upper world and request help and insight into our lives and experiences, and the advice we receive comes from a place of profound wisdom and enlightenment. We can ask and receive in this upper world, but we cannot become enlightened or wise masters ourselves through visiting this upper world. We can observe and experience the wisdom of others - much like looking at the stars through the telescope – but we can’t experience the transcendent nature of the cosmos beyond our human existence.
THE MIDDLE WORLD
The ordinary middle world is where you and I live out our human lives. It’s comprised of the surface of the earth – soil, mountains, water, air, even the moon and sun and air we breathe. It includes the beings that fly and the beings that walk and crawl. The middle world is where we go to work, drive our cars, sit by rivers, play with our pets, raise our families, and so on. It’s what we know to be true through the experiences of our senses. It is a world seen through human eyes.
The middle world in non-ordinary reality is where we can experience the soul consciousness of our everyday ordinary world. In non-ordinary reality, we can have meaningful discussions with the soul of that river. We can bond with the souls (devas) of the trees in our ordinary back yard. We can experience the elements of nature as sovereign beings, not just events. It is also in the non-ordinary middle world that transitioned souls can become stuck (willfully or other means), and we call them ghosts, lost souls, entities, and the like. Shamans in initiated belief systems work almost exclusively in this non-ordinary middle world reality.
THE LOWER WORLD
Lastly, the ordinary lower world is everything below the surface of our middle world. We explore and experience this ordinary lower world through caves and caverns, deep ocean dives, ancient tree root systems, and any other access point from the surface that brings us underneath our everyday world. Some of these lower world areas are safe, even comforting, and perfectly habitable. Others are hostile to us and can harm or even cause death. There is always risk with exploration.
The lower world in non-ordinary reality is where we contact and work with the soul consciousness of earth’s plant, animal and mineral world. It’s here that we meet and begin right relationship with our helper spirits, totem, and power animal. We maintain these relationships through regular journeying to this lower world. We try to remain diligent visitors to the home of those who have chosen us as channels for their medicine and messages. When right relationship is established, the lower world becomes a trusted source for healing ourselves and others.
There are many, many more realms to explore within and beyond these three basic worlds, but knowing how to navigate these basic worlds – and what to expect to meet while visiting – is the first step in developing right relationship with the spirits.
Much more to come!