As suits my interest and quest, I regularly read on matters of spirituality and the sacred, both ancient and contemporary. This morning, I came across an article by a Scotswoman who was lamenting the rise and ways of "neo-shamans" reclaiming "Celtic" heritage.

As with most criticisms leveled at these modern practitioners of ancient shamanic practices, the writer cited her frustrations at the "appropriation" of ancient cultural ways and that the contemporary neo-shamans were practicing the sacred arts for a livelihood, including getting paid for it. Her criticisms also alluded to the seemingly patchwork ways in which they pieced or sewed together bits and pieces to create their own updated versions of shamanism. And she criticized the very use of the word "shaman", since it derives from the Siberian tradition and is not applicable to others.

As I read through her article and the litany of criticisms and "corrections," and recalled similar accounts that I've heard and read which make the same and other criticisms — be it of contemporary shamans, New Agers, or other contemporary reinventors — I found myself wondering, is it really so horrible, given all that's occurring in the world, that a rising number of people are feeling called to re-root and reinterpret the ancestral wisdom of previous eras for use in our own challenging times — times in which the mainstream religions seem to be fostering more ill and confusion than spiritual sustenance?

What's really at the heart of these criticisms; what bothers these people so much? As with many things, some criticisms may have some truth to them, when applied to some practitioners of New Age, neo-shamanism, pagan, neo-Jesian/neo-Christian, neo-mystics, or other modern "neo" spiritual reinterpretations. But it occurs to me that many of the criticisms have something less honest about them.

What are the criticisms, and what's behind them?

It seems that there may be several issues behind the concerns and criticisms leveled at those who reinvent and reinterpret or modernize ancient cultural or geographic-based traditions. For some, there are concerns about ensuring the appropriate appreciation and respect for the roots of the practices. This is surely understandable.

For others, behind the criticisms seems a need to be right, a type of stinginess that resents use of the traditions by those who "don't own" the practices. And for still others, there seems to be a need to protect the mainstream religions and personal choices by lashing out at others.

And yet are many of these criticisms truly valid? After all, we live in an increasingly global era; many people derive biologically from a collection of genetic and cultural ancestries. What's more, the more we learn about consciousness, the more it seems clear that affinity towards certain traditions can be as much based in "the collective unconscious" as it can be through knowledge of one's ancestry and the desire to connect to it in grossly disconnected modern times. After all, if Albert Einstein claimed to have received his insights through dreams, why is it outrageous to think that some neo-shamans are, indeed, awakened to their own or other cultural ancestral wisdom-teachings in the same way?

As life becomes more crazy and seemingly out-of-control on the surface, is it really that hard to understand the need to sink one's roots more deeply into the soils of Earth-connected lineages? Can anyone truly "own" wisdom traditions? Is it really a worthwhile choice to get caught up in anger that someone "not of your tradition" is using a drum to connect with spirit, or learning from the wisdom of your ancestors, or their own long-lost ancestors?

As the argument settles into the typical gutter of accusation, defensiveness, and counter-accusation, what purpose is served?

Maybe it's our limited thinking and our clinging to outmoded beliefs that are the problem. Is it possible that we need to ask better questions and open to a wiser perspective, so that we can center in what's truly important here? The times call for it, and so did many of our ancestors through their prophecies and teachings.

The criticisms and the questions…

* The criticism: Using the word "shaman".

One criticism is the very use of the word "shamanism" for a wide array of traditional and reinterpreted indigenous spiritual traditions. The term, according to many, derives directly from a Siberian shamanic tradition, not from Native American, Western European, African, or Asian traditions.

Fine, the word "shaman" derives from a specific association. So do many words now in more common usage. Is it possible that the word is helpful because it brings to mind a certain association that was once, in a less globally connected world, referenced in a variety of more localized terms?

Does using the word "shaman" on a larger scale prevent individual groups from using their own ancestral words? Of course not. So honestly, what's the real issue about the use of a word to speak clearly about a modern tradition blooming from soils fertilized by ancient wisdom?

* The criticism: Appropriation, appreciation and respect.

For individual cultures for whom "ancient practices" have remained "modern practices," it's absolutely understandable that there are concerns about having sacred and closely-held traditions used by those who may not bring the same attitude of respect or appreciation. It's even more understandable when the so-called "appropriators" are from the same cultural ancestry (assumed) as those who wreaked havoc on your own ancestors.

As I woman, I understand this, particularly as I feel the anger arise when "middle-aged white men" appropriate the teachings about Divine Feminine, given the historical mutilation and near-extinction of the Divine Feminine (in public consciousness) caused by the same demographic. As the grand-daughter of one whose Pequot-Mohegan ancestors suffered genocide, dislocation, and cultural demolition, I understand the ancestral lineage of deep sadness and anger about violently squelched and lost culture and teachings. I feel that same anger when I think of those who rewrote and horribly mistranslated the wisdom teachings of Jesus, making an abomination out of Christianity, with horrible impact.

I understand, but the questions are still there to open up my perspective and understanding, based on what's truly needed in the world at this time.

In my utopia, anyone approaching sacred practice and long-held traditions would do so in a state of respect, appreciation, and deep sacredness. But can we control that? No. Will some people appropriate the practices more in a spirit of entertainment or "parlor play", or cold, shrewd capitalism? Yes. Does that sometimes annoy me (and others)? Yes. Does being annoyed serve any purpose? Only if it leads to greater wisdom and constructive action.

Is it the case that all of these neo-shamans or New Agers appropriate traditions disrespectfully? No; many who are seeking for a reconnection to the sacred, to roots, find a connection with the traditions of their own long-dead ancestors or with the ancestral practices of others. Since we live in a global world where people learn more about the practices of other cultures and traditions, it's understandable that one might learn of another tradition that speaks to their own heart.

If it bothers you that someone of another culture or tradition is appropriating your tradition without adequately respecting or understanding it, is it possible that helping to raise awareness may be more effective than crossing your arms, stomping your feet, and criticizing and calling them names? The latter, after all, are based in your own assumptions. How can you say whether or not their heart may be more in it even than your own?

Is it possible that, in the embracing of one culture's spiritual traditions by those ancestors of a "conquering culture" there may be a type of penance, or karma, at play? Is it possible that there's more value in teaching than criticizing and accusing?

* The criticism: Dabbling in "cut and paste" spirituality.

Mainstreamers criticize New Agers, pagans, shamans for this. But really, what's wrong with seeking and finding a new spiritual tradition? If anything, that IS the tradition, if we take a long enough look at history.

In any tradition or path of spiritual or religious seeking, there is a danger of "going nowhere" if you constantly skim the surface of myriad rituals and traditions in a heartless and uncommitted fashion. There is also a danger of spiritual arrogance, centered in ego and ultimately harmful if not appropriately guided into greater wisdom. And there's even greater danger that, without the appropriate respect for the power behind the traditions and rituals, you can seriously miscalculate and bring harm to yourself and others.

And yet, is it really wise to hold so fast and tight to the traditions and rules of mainstream traditions that were created to guide daily life two or three thousand years ago, or even five-hundred years ago? Or is it more wise to be discerning of the spiritual truths and wisdom running through them and reinterpret them so that they're guides to wisdom in our times?

And really, what do you care about how someone else practices his or her spirituality? Why do you cling so firmly to "being right" for something in which "right" is defined individually, based on universal spiritual themes? Shouldn't your attention really be on your own spiritual development and state? As Jesus said, see and take the beam from your own eye, and then you can help your brother take the splinter out of his.

* The criticism: Getting paid for teaching spirituality or practicing shamanism.

This seems to be a significant issue of contention regarding spiritual practitioners, including those who pursue shamanic practices. The issue seems rooted in tradition, and several assumptions growing out of traditional beliefs, in which "being spiritual" was equated with "living in poverty," or in which spiritual or shamanic practitioners were provided for by the community, and thus didn't have to get caught up with worrying about getting a wage and paying the rent.

Perhaps when those beliefs were born, it was the best and most appropriate wisdom for the times. If it was deemed a community's sacred responsibility to provide a house, food and the necessary basics for the community shaman, medicine man/woman, or spiritual guide, as well as some "offering" as their circumstances would allow, it removed the issue from the concern of the wisdom practitioner. He or she didn't have to worry about it, and simply plied their calling.

Here's a mind-blower for you: times have changed. We live now in a dominant culture in which "bills must be paid" — those things that were once provided by the community or created and shared in common are now, for the most part, an individual's responsibility.

But is the current situation really so different, and simply looks different in our own perception? For example, if an indigenous or ancient community had the responsibility to provide for the shaman or wise person, and/or it was customary to bring some offering when you sought services, isn't this still a matter of currency being exchanged, albeit a seemingly (to some) more wholesome, less crude, and mutually respectful one?

Is it really different that today's spiritual practitioners — who hone and share their gifts as their calling or vocation — receive money (usually), which is the current accepted currency in exchange for expertise, services, guidance, etc.?

Is the issue at hand really one of respectfulness, integrity, and mutually benefit, as well as, perhaps, our own unresolved issues and hang-ups with money, work, compensation, right livelihood, and spirituality?

Is it possible that it's our own perception and belief that needs to be healed and updated, rather than the spiritual practitioner's sharing his or her gifts in exchange for money?

Final thoughts…

Again, the point here is to shine light on places where we've become mired in old and unhealthy habits of accusation, blame, and clinging to rightness or our own perhaps outdated beliefs. By opening ourselves to reinterpretation, by asking questions, we can bring ourselves — individually and collectively — to a more unified and spiritually mature place, sharing wisdom and reinventing spiritual traditions in the ways that best serve us at this time.