http://www.celticshaman.com/shamanism.html

What is Shamanism?

Quoted from Dermot O'Hare's Site, The Celtic Shaman: "The word Shaman comes from a Siberian tribal language describing a man or a woman who is able to enter into altered states of consciousness specifically to journey into other realms of reality.
Shamanism is a system for psychic, emotional and spiritual healing. The
Shaman explores, discovers and gathers knowledge from the non ordinary
levels of reality and states of consciousness.

Anthropologists have identified Shamanistic practices in tribal cultures, ancient and modern throughout the world. Shamanism is a technique of ecstasy in which the spirit of the Shaman leaves the
body to communicate with spirit helpers and power animals.

Shamanic journeying is an altered state of consciousness' wherein you enter a meditative state called SSC ie. a Shamanic State of Consciousness or "non-ordinary reality". By journeying
the Shaman gathers knowledge and performs healing in ways that are not
accessible in ordinary reality.

Shamanic healing is a process whereby the Shaman journeys on behalf of the client and brings back information or instructions that can be used to provide psychic, emotional &
spiritual healing.

The concept of Shamanism dates back possibly 200,000 years. It is not a structured religion, though it is in itself spiritual. We know the Shaman as the medicine man and the "wise man" of
native cultures. In Celtic Myth, the spiritual seer and Shaman is
endowed with extraordinary gifts of prophicy, healing and wisdom.