Healing Depression with Shamanism: Finding Light in the Darkness

 Healing Depression with Shamanism: Finding Light in the Darkness

When James (not his real name) came to me, he described his depression as a weight he carried everywhere—a heaviness that dulled the world and left him feeling isolated, numb, and disconnected.

“I can’t see a way out,” he said during our first session. “It’s like the spark inside me is gone.”

James had been living with depression for years, cycling through periods of deep sadness and emptiness. He had tried therapy and medication, which helped to some extent, but he felt like something deeper was missing from his healing. He wanted to reconnect with himself, his purpose, and his will to live.

Through shamanic healing, James began a sacred journey to understand the roots of his depression, release the pain he had been carrying, and reignite his inner light.

The Spiritual Dimensions of Depression

In shamanic traditions, depression is often seen as a symptom of soul loss—a disconnection from one’s essence, purpose, or vitality. It can result from trauma, grief, or prolonged stress, leaving the person feeling fragmented or incomplete.

For James, our work focused on addressing several key aspects:

• Soul Loss: Reclaiming the parts of himself that had been left behind during painful life experiences.

• Energetic Blockages: Clearing stagnant energy that was preventing him from moving forward.

• Reconnection: Helping him reconnect with his inner self, his spirit, and the world around him.

The Journey to Heal

We began with a shamanic journey to explore the roots of James’s depression. Guided by the rhythm of the drum, he entered a meditative state where he saw vivid images of moments in his life when he felt abandoned, unseen, or overwhelmed.

One powerful vision took him back to his teenage years, where he had buried feelings of rejection and loneliness. He realized he had been carrying these emotions ever since, layering them with shame and self-doubt.

Through this process, James began to understand that his depression wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was his soul’s way of signaling that it needed healing and attention.

Soul Retrieval: Reclaiming His Light

During a soul retrieval ceremony, we called back the parts of James’s soul that had fragmented during those difficult times.

As the missing pieces returned, James described feeling a sense of warmth and light in his chest—a flicker of hope he hadn’t felt in years. “It’s like I’m getting pieces of myself back,” he said.

Clearing Stagnant Energy

To address the energetic blockages in James’s system, we performed an energy cleansing using sacred tools like smudging herbs, crystals, and sound. This process helped him release the heaviness he had been carrying and make space for renewal.

Building Daily Rituals for Healing

To support his healing journey, I guided James in creating simple, grounding rituals he could practice at home:

1. Morning Gratitude Practice: Each morning, James lit a candle and spoke three things he was grateful for, focusing on small, tangible blessings.

2. Nature Connection: He began taking daily walks in a nearby park, using the time to breathe deeply and reconnect with the natural world.

3. Journaling: James kept a journal to explore his emotions and reflect on his healing progress.

4. Visualization Meditation: Each evening, he visualized a golden light filling his body, bringing warmth and vitality to every cell.

The Transformation

Over time, James began to notice subtle but powerful shifts. The heaviness that had weighed him down started to lift, and moments of joy and connection returned.

“I’m not saying everything is perfect,” he told me after a few months, “but I feel alive again. I feel like I can face the day instead of hiding from it.”

One of the most profound changes was James’s relationship with himself. He began to treat himself with compassion, seeing his depression not as a flaw but as a call for deeper healing and care.

The Bigger Lesson

Depression can feel like an endless darkness, but shamanic healing offers a path toward light. By addressing the spiritual and energetic dimensions of depression, it’s possible to release old wounds, reclaim lost parts of the soul, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and vitality.

For James, this journey wasn’t about quick fixes or superficial changes—it was about rediscovering his inner strength and remembering that his light had never truly gone out.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, know that healing is possible. Together, we can explore the deeper roots of your pain and create a path toward wholeness and renewal.

~Shanti Freedom Das