Kesari Shamanism

## General Overview

#### Summery

Kesari Shamanism is a form of animism (sometimes called Kesari Animism) due to the fact that the most fundamental aspect of the belief system revolves around the importance of "**Tsitau**" "Spirit" or life force of many natural entities ranging from anything between a doe to a mountain. In short Kesari Shamanists hold to great importance wisdom and the process of achieving it through co-existence between Tsitau . Practicers of the religion believe that the source of this life force is the core of the universe, represented as a tranquil sea, frim enough to walk on, en-which a tree grows. Similar to the process of attaining wisdom through co-existence, Kesari Shamanists belive that the universe gain wisdom through the flow of life between its core and the Physical world, this wisdom is then stored in vessels that people tend to pray to. These keepers of the universes knowledge are held in a similar regard to deities.

#### Structure

The emphasis on wisdom and coexistence results in a relatively loose structure especially when compared to other religions who might have a strict hierarchy of priests and followers. That said, a group of Shamans within a large community do tend to form loose covens to handle the specific needs of a community that one shaman likely couldn't handle on their own. Shamans and Shaman covens play in important role in a community of Kesari Shamanists. This is because Shamans are viewed as a teachers, guiders of knowledge, and mediums to the extracorporeal realm. This grants shamans several privileges such as preforming important ceremonies like weddings or funerals, as well as being a communities' source of spiritual knowledge and philosophy. Apart from this shamans are not granted many other privileges, that being said, shamans of good standing tend to not seek such privileges in the first place.

## Belief system

#### Overview

Kesari Shamanism, as stated before, is centered around the concept of wisdom through through existence. This is done through the acknowledgement and respect of not just the "Tsitau" (aka, life force/spirit) of others but ones own. Often represented as 5 relationships and skills, the final being "Jisa"(wisdom), these are parts of the vital cycle of which all things should master. According to Kesari philosophy there are two main interconnected versions of Jisa that most day to day people would interact with, that of the individuals, and that of the universe.

To put it simply, Jisa is the abilities and wisdom gained from harmonizing ("**Niuru**") the self with others as well as the natural world. The foundation of this is Tsitau, the understanding that you, the animals and the natural world are alive and part of the universe. The ability to do so however is called **Shufeh** and it is rooted in the mastery of the self ("**Ojoi**")

#### Attaining Jisa

As per Kesari Shamans one would begin with "Ojoi". To have Ojoi means to be well grounded and being able to be supportive. To be a rock or foundation, not just for others but for yourself. From this foundation grows Shufeh, by literal translations means to be free of care and to be willing to change. Within the context of Ojoi and Tsitau, this also means this also means the ability to being able to provide to others through flexibility while still keeping your foundation. A common analogy is that of a river, it winds and bends to provide life for those around it, withought loosing its strength. Niuru refers to the general peace and harmony that comes with being able to mutually exist in a peaceful manner. Living in harmony with your environment in this way is, according to Kesari Shamanist beliefs, is the way to attain Jisa, Wisdom.

#### Jisa of the Universe

Interconnected with our own Jisa is the flow of the universe and its own Jisa. In this case however the flows are a bit different tho, the principles stay the same. Beginning with Ojoi, the foundation of the universe is the source of all life, the energy of the universe manifested in a tranquil sea, firm enough to walk on. Within the concept of Shufeh a tree is used to represent the ability to provide as opposed to a river. With a sturdy trunk at the center of the sea and flowing branches at the top, from which Tsitau is extruded. According to Folklore this tree is the medium in which the Tsitau moves from this sea to the physical world. the flow itself is the Niuru.TTthis isnt a one way ticket however, according to kesari beliefs, once Tsitau can no longer take a physical form, (by death or removal) the tsitau will flow back to the tranquil sea, again as part of Niuru. Finally, through this harmonic flow, the wisdom of the universe is created. according to shamans, certain types of wisdoms can be manifested in sentient vessels. These vessels of wisdom are held in a similar regard to the gods of other religions in that the shamans will attempt to speak to them in search of wisdom, the difference however between these and tradition deities is that they are strictly holders of wisdom, like book keepers of the universe who have no real power over their followers. Instead during a ritual where a shaman calls out to one of these vessels, they will ask to provide knowledge about what they are "praying" for. for example during a wedding ritual, a shaman will preform a ritual asking to provide the couple the wisdom and guidance for a happy life.