Robyn Lebron inner landscape are being investigated by a wide range of people Some are academics, some come from traditional societies and others are modern practitioners of non-traditional Shamanism or neo-Shamanism Along with these techniques, the NDE or “near-death-experience” has played a significant role in shamanic practice and initiation for millennia There is extensive documentation of this in ethnographic studies of traditional Shamanism With this renewed interest in these older traditions these Shamanic methods of working with dreams and being conscious and awake while dreaming are receiving increased attention.18 Guardian Spirit or Spirit Guide A spirit which protects, instructs or assists a Shaman…while journeying, carrying out shamanic responsibilities or training Encounters with these numinous beings may occur in trance, dreams, and visions or in observing and interpreting the events and circumstances of daily life…Spirit guides are usually attached to particular individuals on a personal basis Sometimes, a spirit guide may be an ancestor or relative Power Animal A spirit perceived as taking an animal form which instructs, guides and protects an individual or Shaman and usually becomes closely identified with the individual concerned Unlike the clan or group totem, this is a distinctly personal relationship with an individual or collective animal spirit-being The presence of a Power Animal is thus unique to an individual, rather than being shared by a group, family or clan These spirit beings are prominent in many shamanic traditions The first item of business for a potential Shaman is to learn to travel in the other worlds, then to discover his power animal That knowledge is necessary in order to start the long process of learning Power animals are usually a reflection of your deepest self and also represent qualities that you need in this world, but which are often hidden or obscured “Michael Harner in ‘ ,’ defines a Power Animal as: “a spirit being that not only protects and serves the Shaman, but also becomes another identity or alter ego for him.”19 ~ 340 ~