Curanderismo Soul Retrieval: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom to Restore the Sacred Energy of the Soul - Erika Buenaflor M.A. J.D. 2019

Trance States and Journeying Tools
Our Sacred Center and Trance-Journeying: A Portal to Other Worlds

Trance states, also known as shamanic states or altered states, enable us to journey into different realms. We know that the ancient Mexica and Maya often journeyed into other realms from and within a sacred place, using ritual performances and costuming and sacred tools that embodied the axis mundi. These tools included breathwork, entheogens, bloodletting, trance dancing, and playing and listening to repetitive drumbeats. Altered states may also be induced by stimulating the olfactory system, for example, by offering and smelling copal, especially with a repeated and practiced intention. Repeated patterns of activity and exposure to environments can change neural pathways and create denser synapses in the brain. This phenomenon is popularly known as neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change structurally and functionally through repetition. We can train the brain to go into a trance state rather easily.

Trance states are usually associated with alpha, theta, delta, and gamma frequencies of brain-wave activity. Each frequency of brainwave activity is measured in cycles per second (Hz) and generally has its own unique state of consciousness and level of brain activity. But the brain fluctuates between states, emitting different patterns simultaneously. We are seldom in just one brain state. We are naturally multi-dimensional beings, and we interact with different dimensional realms through our states of consciousness.

Beta (12—30Hz)

Beta brain waves are generally associated with waking consciousness and involve critical, analytical, and rational reasoning.

Alpha (8—12 Hz)

Alpha brain waves are typically experienced when daydreaming, in a relaxed state, or right before falling asleep. This state is a gateway to the subconscious mind, where nonordinary realms can begin to be accessed.

Theta (4—7 Hz)

Theta brain waves are usually present in deep meditation or in a light sleep, including the REM (rapid eye movement) dream state. Theta is often identified as the state where we experience great inspiration and enhanced creativity. In it, we can be journeying in nonordinary realms.

Delta (0.5—4Hz)

Delta frequency is the slowest of the frequencies. It is typically experienced in deep dream states and deep altered states. This state is often linked with healing, regeneration, and profound intuitive insight.

Gamma (25—40Hz)

Gamma waves are the fastest brain-wave frequencies. Unlike beta waves, which predominantly come from the left side of the brain, gamma waves are found in all parts of the brain. We can consciously and gracefully journey into the nonordinary realms in this state.

For soul retrieval and conducting limpias, the practitioner must be able to navigate the journey through the nonordinary realms. This takes practice and letting go of doubt. Although it is not necessary, I typically take clients on a journey and use the cadence and intonation of my voice to deepen it. In this state, I have them ask questions of their soul pieces, allowing the resulting self-awareness and healing to be recorded into their chakras and subtle energy bodies. In the ensuing days and weeks, their personal day-to-day world, which is also made up of energy, will interact with them to help them answer these questions further. Following are some practical methods I use to induce trance states. In the chapters to come, I will offer various exercises with these methods.

Drumming, Rattling, and Tibetan Bowls

Rhythmic repetitive auditory stimulation with a drum, a rattle, and Tibetan bowls affects electrical activity in many sensory and motor areas of the brain. Repetitive auditory rhythms can cause changes in the central nervous system, produce both alpha and theta waves, and create visual stimulation of color, pattern, and movement—ideal for trance states.

When I am working in a classroom setting for soul retrieval, I tend to use the drum. Drumbeats are of low frequency, meaning that they can transmit more energy to the brain than sounds of higher frequency, such as one from a rattle.²⁸ Deep repetitive beats of lower frequencies transmit impulses along a variety of neural pathways and induce trance states for both the practitioner and the client. The drum also links the human heart with the heartbeat of the Earth. The beats should be strong, monotonous, unvarying, and rapid. There should be no contrast in intensity or in the intervals between them.

Generally, I do not solely rely on rattles to induce trance states, and I couple the rattling with having someone else play a drum or Tibetan bowl. But I do know that rattles alone can induce trance states. When I am working with a client in person, I use a mallet at repetitive intervals to play a Tibetan bowl and use the cadence and intonation of my voice to stimulate trance. This is simply my personal preference.

At first, you may need someone to play the drum, rattle, or Tibetan bowl to induce a trance. But once you train your brain to go into these states, they become easier and easier to induce.

Acupressure Points

Acupressure points are points in the body that are connected to its subtle energies. When pressed on, they stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities by releasing muscular tension and promoting the circulation of blood. Certain acupressure points stimulate particular areas and correlating energetic systems, enabling us to enter specific nonordinary realms.

Mudras

While there are some mudras that involve the whole body, those we will be working with are hand postures. They come from the iconography of Buddhist, Hindu, and Maya art. In spiritual practices including breathwork and meditation, mudras trigger electromagnetic charges in the body. They act as catalysts for speeding up electromagnetic currents and affect the subtle bodies. Like acupressure points, they stimulate particular areas and correlating energetic systems that enable us to go into specific nonordinary realms.

I will be utilizing mudras that come from texts in the Classic Mayan language, an earlier form of Ch’olti’ and Ch’orti’, the preferred literary language of the Maya scribes, including the Postclassic Maya of the northern lowlands.²⁹ These mudras are found in their iconographic artwork, wherein pictures and texts were closely linked. While it has never been determined that the Maya actually used these mudras during their rituals, it is a possibility. Regardless, I have experienced profound and beautiful journeys using the Maya mudras as well as the traditional Hindu and Buddhist ones.

Toning

There are certain sounds that are experiences of energy in their own right. The sounds and bijas (Sanskrit for seed mantras) I suggest using do not represent things or concepts; rather, they are energetic frequencies that stimulate particular chakras, which create a fertile ground for work with issues relating to soul loss and/or journeying into other realms.

Shamanic Dancing, Movement, and Breathwork

To facilitate trance-journeying, it is also very helpful to have a combination of physical and mental meditative activities that help move any stuck or tense energy in the body that may impede the journey. Mental meditative activities can encompass prayer and visualization. Quieting the body and the consciousness is important for tuning into and connecting with the space of our sacred heart and accessing the gifts of the cardinal spaces.

Physical meditative exercises can encompass shamanic dancing, yoga, balanced movement, qigong, t’ai chi, contemplative walks, and primal releasing breathwork.

The breath is sacred life energy. It exists within both the microcosmos and the macrocosmos, permeating everything, and sustains life and creation. Without it there is no life. In addition to inducing trance, breathwork can purify and sanctify our physical and energetic systems and bodies. Like the ancient Mesoamerican shamans, we can use the breath and intention to retrieve our soul pieces.

Shamanic Dancing Exercise

1. Engage in rhythmic breathing: 3 breaths in, and then 3 breaths out. Have your eyes one-tenth open; gazing typically induces a trance state.

2. While listening to deep repetitive drumbeats do a:

Light trot standing in one place, gently shaking shoulders and hands.

Light trot moving clockwise 3 times in a circle.

Light trot spiraling to the center of the circle.

Light trot moving counterclockwise 3 times in a circle.

After the dancing, you are ready to journey into your internal axis mundi, your internal energetic portal to other realms. Alternatively, you can also engage in any of the other shamanic tools to prepare for the trance-journeying ritual.

Tension Release

1. Take a deep inhale while slowly rolling the shoulders up and squeezing them, move the shoulders back, pull the chest out, and make a sharp “shui” sound.

2. Exhale softly, releasing the chest and shoulders.

3. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Primal Releasing

1. Inhale and gently shake the body while making a loud and long “AH” sound.

2. Release by moving the shoulders back, pulling the chest out, and exhaling with a sharp “HA” sound.

3. Continue your exhale softly, releasing chest and shoulders.

4. Repeat 3 to 5 times.