The New Shamans and Ongoing Revelation
The principles of New Thought spirituality are based on spiritual laws or scientific principles. According to these laws, the power of the universe yields itself to those who know how to apply right thought and are convinced strongly enough of the expected results. Jesus himself, many metaphysical believers claim, accomplished His miracles through the application of the very same principles. In the strictest sense, each person is their own shaman in this approach.
Other new religious movements such as the Theosophical Society and the I AM Movement, both founded in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the first half of this century, and other churches which have been founded on the same or similar religious teachings even more recently, have placed a greater amount of emphasis on supernatural beings when compared with New Thought churches based purely on mental science. For these newer esoteric churches, the supernatural world and the natural world are peopled with beings who can be influence outcomes in our lives.
This pantheon of beings are believed to exist at various levels of power and proximity to the Godhead itself. Some are those who have just passed over to the purely spiritual realms are referred to as masters or ascended masters. These beings are thought to have personal connections with those whom they have so recently left behind. They may have begun projects on behalf of humanity which they desire to complete through those yet remaining on earth. They can definitely be influenced through prayers of supplication and are believed to draw closer to those who practice additional forms of mental and physical self-purification. The higher realm also includes angels and other more powerful beings akin to the gods of ancient mythology.
In the natural or lower realm, there are also beings who embody the elements of fire, air, water and earth. Miracles can be worked fairly directly through communion with these nature spirits. They can be wooed through song and chant, but can also be commanded by mankind since they are in a lower spiritual position earth. Some adherents believe that even mountains can be ensouled by powerful nature spirits. The lore present in modern mystical religions thus serves to inspire awe and reverence.
Many groups claim to have founders who possess special abilities to contact and interact with the beings of both the supernatural and the natural worlds. These leader’s roles are clearly those of shamans and the messages which they receive from other realms and either write down themselves or have transcribed from the spoken word become new sacred texts. As man progresses spiritually, this provides a means for ongoing revelation. As he evolves, his beliefs can therefore keep pace with his ever expanding view of the universe.
