You will find that there are many variations of the definition of shaman or shamanism in modern society depending on the source you read from. Whatever the definition, shamanism is humanity's oldest form of relationship to spirits or to the spirit world. Universally, shamans recognize the aliveness, consciousness, and the spiritual power of the universe. Shamans are defined by their community by what they can do. Becoming a shaman and being one is a difficult and demanding life choice.
Today there is a strong recovery of cultural activity among indigenous peoples of Siberia.
Today's Siberian cultures are working mainly in community healing, using religious ceremonials and the arts, politics, and philosophy. The exercise and values of shamanism is an important part of Siberian cultures. Senior shamans are valued as carriers of the traditional knowledge of shamanism, and as powerful individuals having vision for the future as well as knowledge of the past. In each area of shamanic culture in Siberia, there are strong traditions, including healing, ceremonials connected with the land and human concerns, divination, and sometimes, accompanying the souls of the dead to the next world. Shamans have always been and still are highly respected members of society.