Exercises for Journeying to the Upper World in Shamanic Work

Shamanic journeying is a powerful practice that allows a practitioner to enter different realms of existence, such as the Lower World, Middle World, and Upper World. When journeying to the Upper World, practitioners seek connection to higher wisdom, divine beings, and visionary guidance. It’s a space of light, healing, and spiritual insight. Below are several exercises that can help guide one’s journey to the Upper World, enhancing the experience and helping deepen the connection to this celestial realm.

1. Climbing the World Tree

One of the most common methods for accessing the Upper World in shamanic practice is through the World Tree, a sacred tree that bridges the three realms. The Upper World is often accessed by climbing the tree, symbolizing ascension into higher spiritual consciousness. 

Exercise:

• Preparation: Find a quiet, safe space where you will not be disturbed. Begin by grounding yourself, taking deep breaths to center your energy.
• Journeying: In your mind’s eye, visualize a large tree that connects the earth, the Middle World, and the heavens. This tree may have a large trunk, thick branches, and roots that reach deep into the earth. Imagine yourself standing at the base of the tree, ready to ascend.
• Climbing: Begin climbing the tree slowly and with intention. As you climb, feel yourself rising through different layers, leaving behind the physical world and entering a space of higher consciousness. With each movement upwards, feel lighter, more expansive, and spiritually attuned.
• Arrival: As you reach the top of the tree, visualize a bright light or a gateway opening before you, signaling your arrival in the Upper World. Take a moment to adjust to this new space, noticing what sights, sounds, and feelings arise.

Allow yourself to be guided by the energy of the tree and trust that it will lead you to where you need to go. The journey may reveal visions, spiritual guides, or messages from the divine.

2. Soaring as a Bird

Another common method for accessing the Upper World is to travel by flight, often imagined as soaring like an eagle, hawk, or other winged animal. This method helps the practitioner connect with the freedom and expansive nature of the Upper World.

Exercise:

• Preparation: Sit or lie down in a relaxed position. Take several deep, grounding breaths and begin to focus on your body, allowing any tension to dissolve.
• Visualize the Animal: Close your eyes and imagine yourself transforming into a bird. Feel your body becoming light, your wings strong, and your spirit rising with the air. Picture yourself standing at the edge of a cliff, or high up in a tree, ready to take flight.
• Flying: As you begin to soar, imagine yourself gliding up into the sky, passing through clouds and light, and ascending higher and higher. Feel the wind beneath your wings and the sense of freedom that comes with flight.
• Exploring the Upper World: As you fly, take notice of what you see. You might encounter spiritual guides, visions, or symbolic landscapes that help you connect with your higher self or receive messages. Let the landscape of the Upper World unfold before you and trust the guidance that arrives. Flying allows you to gain a higher perspective on your life, see things from a larger view, and receive insights into your spiritual journey. The flight may also lead you to encounters with divine beings or celestial realms that offer you wisdom.

3. Entering Through a Portal or Gateway

Portals or gateways are often used in shamanic practice to transition between different worlds or planes of existence. In the Upper World, portals often take the form of bright light, gates of divine energy, or openings in the sky that lead to a higher state of awareness.

Exercise:

1. Preparation: Sit comfortably and breathe deeply. 

2. Visualization: In your mind’s eye, visualize a radiant portal or gateway in front of you. This could be a shimmering door, a circle of light, or a stairway leading upward. The portal may appear in any form, but it should feel inviting and filled with positive energy.

3. Stepping Through the Portal: As you approach the portal, feel a sense of lightness and curiosity. Step through the gateway with the intention of connecting with the Upper World. Allow the light and energy to envelop you as you enter the realm of higher wisdom.

4. Exploration: Once you’ve passed through the portal, observe what unfolds in the Upper World. What is the landscape like? What beings or energies do you encounter? Take note of any symbols, messages, or experiences that arise, trusting that they hold significant meaning for your journey. 

This exercise invites the practitioner to be receptive to guidance and visions from the Upper World. The portal serves as a conduit to connect with the spiritual and divine, opening you to higher realms of consciousness.

4. Seeking a Spirit Guide in the Upper World

A shamanic journey to the Upper World often involves seeking out a spiritual guide or teacher who can provide wisdom, insight, and direction. This guide may take the form of an animal spirit, a celestial being, or an ancestor.

Exercise:

1. Preparation: Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Begin to focus on your breathing and center your energy.
2. Intention: Set the intention to seek a spirit guide in the Upper World. You may call upon a specific guide you already know or remain open to receiving a new guide.
3. Journeying: Begin your journey by visualizing yourself ascending to the Upper World (via climbing, flying, or passing through a portal). As you arrive, ask for a guide to appear before you. This guide might manifest as a figure of light, a wise elder, an animal, or an elemental being.
4. Meeting the Guide: Once your guide appears, allow yourself to receive their wisdom. You may ask them questions or simply be open to any messages or insights they wish to share. Trust that whatever comes through is exactly what you need in the moment.

This exercise helps you connect with higher wisdom, spiritual insight, and guidance that will support your personal growth or healing. The guide may provide advice, healing, or information to help you navigate your spiritual path.

5. Receiving a Vision or Prophecy

The Upper World is often a space where prophetic visions or future insights are revealed. This exercise can help you connect with the higher realms to gain clarity about your future, life’s purpose, or spiritual path. 

Exercise:

1. Preparation: Sit or lie in a comfortable position and begin to breathe deeply, allowing your mind to quiet.
2. Visualization: In your mind’s eye, visualize a bright light or an expansive sky, signaling your entry into the Upper World. Allow yourself to rise into this light, feeling a sense of peaceful expansion.
3. Intention: Set the intention to receive a vision or prophecy about a particular situation in your life. Ask for clarity about an issue, question, or decision you are facing.
4. Receiving the Vision: As you enter the Upper World, allow the vision to unfold. You might see symbolic imagery, hear messages, or experience flashes of insight. Trust the visions that come to you, even if they are metaphorical or symbolic. The answers you seek may appear in ways that require deeper interpretation.
5. Integration: Once the vision has been received, take a moment to reflect on it. Ask for guidance on how to integrate the message into your life.

This exercise helps you gain insight into the future, make decisions, or understand your spiritual path more clearly. The visions received may offer direction or clarity on your next steps.

Journeying to the Upper World offers a rich opportunity for connecting with higher spiritual realms, gaining visionary insight, and receiving guidance from divine or celestial beings. By using these exercises—such as climbing the World Tree, soaring as a bird, stepping through a portal, seeking a spirit guide, or receiving prophetic visions—you can deepen your connection to the Upper World and receive the wisdom and healing necessary for your spiritual growth. Each journey is a unique experience, so trust the process and be open to what unfolds in the sacred, luminous realms of the Upper World.