Shapeshift Your Life

Shapeshifting is popular in literature, television, movies, comics and video games, and has been a common theme is the arts for centuries. In many stories, shapeshifters take the form of another human, an animal other creature or superhero. The characters shift for a variety of reasons. Sometimes characters shift deliberately using magic, other times they can't stop the change that comes over them due to an internal or external influence. In these artistic works, the transformation may or may not have a purpose.

Some readers/viewers/players love the idea of changing into a forceful personality, others just like to think about the fantasy. But what if you could add shapeshifting to your “normal” life. Would you do it? If yes, why would you change and what form would the change take?

First, let's consider the basis of shifting. Indigenous cultures who practice shapeshifting know that all life is energy. Shamans, and others who shift, focus their intent to change energetic patterns, resulting in a new form. They do this on one, two or three levels – cellular, personal or
institutional.

The cellular level is transforming from a human into another form like animal or plant. I was told of a powerful South American shaman who shifted from his human form into a bat when he died. There are many stories of men who change into predator form when hunting for their tribe, or healers who shift into a form that allows another person to heal. In these cases, the intent is obvious – protect the tribe, help others.

Personal level shifting is easier for many people to understand. Anytime an addict overcomes their dependence on a substance or behavior, they shapepshift into a new being. A person who loses a considerable amount of weight is, in esssence and fact, a new human. Shuck a belief system, something you were told by family or friends that no longer rings true for you and voila, you're a shapeshifter. Again, the intent to change drives the transformation, regardless of how the decision to shift came about.

Finally, there is institutional shapeshifting. This could mean starting a new business that uses
innovative practices to transform the field. Or institutional shifting could be making substantial changes within an established cultural identity. Alterations to cultural identity may include shifts in government practices, educational methods or attitudes toward nature. The intent here may be to bring about change for the good of the country or the world.

Shapeshifting, whether portrayed in the arts or practiced in everyday life, can help you recognize the power we each hold to change our own and our common reality. The practice teaches the power of recognizing and modifying stagnant energetic patterns wherever they exist. You can change the world - it's easier than it sounds when you practice shapeshifting.

If you would like to know more about shapeshifting, what it is and how to use the practice in your life, I recommend you read the books written by John Perkins. He has worked with shamans from around the world for decades, and is himself a powerful shapeshifter.

Now please take a moment to answer the questions I posed above. If you could shapeshift your world, what would you change? Here's one last query – what are you waiting for?

Let me know if you've already shifted or intend to do so soon!