The Upper World in Shamanic Practice: A Realm of Light, Vision, and Higher Wisdom

 

In shamanic traditions, the world is often divided into three primary realms: the Lower World, the Middle World, and the Upper World. Each of these realms holds distinct characteristics and functions, and they serve different purposes in the shamanic journey. While the Lower World is associated with deep healing, soul retrieval, and connection to the unconscious, the Upper World is a realm of higher spiritual knowledge, divine guidance, and visionary insight. 

The Upper World is often seen as a space of light, wisdom, and enlightenment. It is a place where shamanic practitioners go to seek answers to life’s most profound questions, connect with spirit guides and deities, and access visions of the future, potential, and spiritual truths. The Upper World holds a vital role in the shamanic practice, offering spiritual clarity, healing, and insight that cannot always be found in the material world.

In this post, we will explore what the Upper World is, how shamanic practitioners access it, what they encounter there, and how it contributes to their spiritual and healing work.

What Is the Upper World?

The Upper World, in contrast to the Lower World, is a realm that is often associated with light, divine beings, and higher consciousness. It is typically described as a realm of spiritual enlightenment, visionary guidance, and cosmic knowledge. Many shamans view it as a space where they can connect with benevolent spirits, deities, and guides who offer wisdom, direction, and inspiration.

This world is often seen as existing above the ordinary world, symbolizing a connection to higher spiritual forces. While the Lower World is frequently depicted as being deep within the earth, the Upper World is envisioned as a celestial or skyward realm, often associated with the heavens, stars, or cosmic planes. The Middle World, by contrast, is the realm of our everyday experience, representing the physical and material world we interact with daily.

The Upper World is viewed by many shamans as a place of connection with divine sources of creation, enlightenment, and transformation. It is also a place for spiritual growth and personal ascension, where shamans and spiritual seekers can gain insight into their soul’s journey and their place in the universe.

How Do Shamanic Practitioners Access the Upper World?

Just as with the Lower World, shamanic practitioners journey to the Upper World through a process called a shamanic journey. This journey is often facilitated by rhythmic drumming, rattling, or other sound-based methods that help induce an altered state of consciousness. This altered state allows the practitioner to transcend the ordinary world and enter a non-ordinary reality, where they can access spiritual realms, including the Upper World.

In a shamanic journey to the Upper World, the practitioner might:

• Climb a tree: Often, shamans enter the Upper World by climbing a large, sacred tree (sometimes referred to as the World Tree), which connects the physical world to the spiritual realms above.
• Use a ladder or staircase: Some traditions envision a ladder or staircase leading up to the heavens, with the practitioner climbing it to reach the Upper World.
• Travel by flight: In certain practices, the shaman might visualize themselves flying as a bird, eagle, or another winged animal, which helps them soar into the higher realms of the Upper World.

The goal of the journey is to connect with divine beings, spirits, or guides who reside in the Upper World, seeking clarity, wisdom, and healing. During the journey, the shaman may receive visions, messages, or guidance related to their personal life, spiritual path, or the healing work they are undertaking.

What Is Encountered in the Upper World?

In the Upper World, shamanic practitioners may encounter a variety of beings and forces that can provide important insights and guidance. These include:

1. Divine and Celestial Beings

The Upper World is often inhabited by gods, goddesses, and deities from various spiritual traditions, as well as angelic beings and other celestial entities. These beings are often seen as sources of divine wisdom and guidance. Shamans may journey to the Upper World to seek these beings for spiritual counsel, blessings, or protection. These deities often embody specific archetypes such as:

• The Creator: The source of all life and wisdom, sometimes called the Great Spirit or the Divine Father/Mother.
• Wise Elders: Spiritual guides or teachers who offer counsel on the shaman’s path and help navigate difficult challenges.
• Healing Spirits: Divine beings who specialize in spiritual, emotional, or physical healing, often helping the shaman to understand deep imbalances or provide healing for themselves or others.

2. Spirit Guides

In the Upper World, practitioners often encounter spirit guides, who are powerful helpers that offer insight, wisdom, and protection. These guides might be ancestral spirits, animal spirits, or non-physical entities who provide assistance on the spiritual journey. Spirit guides in the Upper World are typically seen as beings who have transcended earthly limitations and offer teachings that lead to personal growth and enlightenment.

The spirit guides encountered in the Upper World often have the ability to offer:

1. Visionary guidance: Providing clarity about a difficult decision or situation.
2. Messages from the spiritual realms: Offering insight into the nature of the soul or the future, especially when the practitioner is at a crossroads.
3. Spiritual empowerment: Offering tools, strength, or wisdom to help the practitioner grow in their shamanic practice and personal life.
   
   

3. Sacred Landscapes and Celestial Temples

The Upper World is often depicted as a beautiful and awe-inspiring realm with magnificent landscapes, temples, gardens, and spiritual structures. These spaces are seen as the realms where the divine or celestial energies reside. Shamans might encounter:

1. Sacred temples: Places of worship, healing, or divine ritual where the practitioner can connect with higher spiritual forces.
2. Cosmic gardens: Landscapes that may symbolize harmony, growth, and balance, offering a place for meditation and reflection.
3. Starry realms: Some Upper World journeys involve traveling through the cosmos or meeting celestial beings, bringing a sense of universal oneness and insight into the interconnectedness of all things.

4. The Light and the Sacred Flame

The Upper World is frequently depicted as a realm filled with light, purity, and sacred energy. In many traditions, light represents higher spiritual consciousness, healing, and the divine presence. Shamans often seek to connect with this light to gain insight or healing. The sacred flame, or inner light, is seen as a source of illumination, clarity, and divine protection. In the Upper World, the practitioner might encounter:

1. The Light of Truth: A vision or presence that brings clarity, helping the practitioner see situations from a higher perspective.
2. Healing Light: A luminous force that cleanses, purifies, and heals the body, mind, and spirit.
   
   
   

5. Future Visions and Prophecy

In the Upper World, shamans may gain access to prophetic visions or glimpses of potential futures. These visions are often seen as tools to guide the practitioner and their community through uncertain times, providing foresight into the challenges ahead or offering a clearer sense of purpose. These glimpses into the future may manifest as:

• Visionary experiences: Imagery or symbolic messages that reveal hidden truths or answers to life’s most pressing questions.
• Symbolic representations of future paths: By journeying in the Upper World, the shaman might receive symbolic messages about potential outcomes, guiding them toward a more aligned course.

The Role of the Upper World in Shamanic Healing and Spiritual Work

The Upper World holds an essential place in shamanic healing, divination, and spiritual practices. Here’s how it plays a key role:

1. Healing: The Upper World is often a place where powerful healing spirits and divine beings work to bring clarity, peace, and spiritual alignment to the practitioner. These realms can assist with emotional healing, spiritual guidance, and physical health.
2. Divination: Shamanic practitioners may journey to the Upper World to gain information about their lives or those of others. The guidance they receive often provides clarity and insight into future outcomes, personal challenges, or spiritual lessons.
3. Visionary Inspiration: The Upper World is a realm where shamans may receive visions that inspire them on their path, providing them with new ideas, insights, and deeper understanding about their work, their community, and their personal life.

Conclusion

The Upper World in shamanic practice is a realm of higher consciousness, spiritual enlightenment, and visionary wisdom. It is a sacred space where shamans can access divine guidance, connect with powerful spirit guides and celestial beings, and gain clarity about their path in life. Whether seeking answers to complex questions, healing from spiritual wounds, or gaining insight into the future, the Upper World offers profound opportunities for growth, transformation, and spiritual evolution. By journeying into the Upper World, shamanic practitioners are able to deepen their connection with the divine, gain higher wisdom, and integrate this knowledge into their healing work and daily lives.