94 /In the Shadow of the Shaman

philosophies. All of these reach up into Spirit and form the top of the
pyramid together.
When we examine one separate philosophy, type of conscious­
ness work, or culture, we are making arbitrary divisions. We do this in
order to understand all the parts that make up the whole. Shamanic
consciousness regards all levels, all forms, as significant. Divisions are
made only as is appropriate to function in society. As long as we are
making our Earth Walk, we must also make these arbitrary divisions.
I have often thought that it would be far easier at times to be
transcendental, in Spirit realms. The shamanic use of images allows
us to tap the transcendental levels while we are still very much a part
of the earth. The active use of images is a transcendent function that
we may use freely for our own journey on the shamanic path. A
transcendent function is one that results from the merging of all
aspects of self to create a higher synthesis of self.
Carl Jung, the great psychoanalyst and Western mystic, describes
this transcendent function as the blending of psychological aspects
into a balanced system of self-definition and self-awareness. These
psychological aspects, which Jung calls functions, are sensation,
which is sensory and physical; feeling, which relates to heartfelt reactions;
intuition, which arises from inner experiences; and thinking, which is
intellectual and mental.
When these psychological aspects are in balance, a merged
awareness or self-synthesis occurs. This creates holistic growth for
the individual. It's like the shaman's staying centered in personal
power, balancing abilities or gifts to create a dynamic synthesis.
Dynamic synthesis of self is a catalyst for psychological growth and for
greater levels of awareness.
This process of blending, synthesizing, and catalysting growth is
central to any magical or shamanic path. You are also a wheel, con­
stantly moving and changing. Understanding your own abilities to
deepen awareness and using them effectively are special gifts.
W hen you are using shamanic images, you are using all of the
aspects orfunctions that Jung described. Active, or shamanic, images
incorporate sensory, emotional, intuitive, and intellectual abilities.
Blending these is one of the reasons that shamanic images have such
a personal, experiential quality.
In addition to this, each of the four functions described by Jung
taps into at least one of the four basic types of Human World philosophies
and consciousness work. The function of sensation, being sensory,