Shamans tend to be men {Women have more of these abilities in their natural state and require less altered consciousness.}, though women also can become shamans; some women shamans are extraordinarily powerful. In some cultures, shamans are involuntarily chosen by the spirits; they realize their calling in a transformational experience, often a serious illness that brings them close to death {For example Damion Brinkley of today.} and is self-cured. In other cultures, persons with natural shamanic gifts are selected at a young age, trained and initiated.

Control issues are a big factor in stress. Once you learn to let go, your stress levels will diminish.

The story you tell yourself about who you are in the world has an enormous influence on how you approach problems. You can change your story to change how you handle the problems.