And they are helping some of Russia's ethnic minorities recapture a spirituality stifled by Soviet repression, as well as a sense of identity. Shamanism can differ from continent to continent, from region to region, tribe to tribe, even shaman to shaman. Non-believers, especially Westerners, can find its concepts hard to understand. At the core of Siberian shamanism is reverence for Mother Earth and Father Heaven, for animals, for all of nature. The goal of life is to live in balance with the world.
Humans live in a middle world, but there are upper and lower worlds as well.
Only shamans can find the doorways to these spiritual worlds. Sometimes the shaman eases such transitions with the help of hallucinogenic substances or alcohol. Indeed, alcoholic spirits play an integral role in many shaman ceremonies. Participants drink vodka during rituals, making sure to offer frequent drops to the gods. People would not understand me if I just cast spells and prayed for rain.