Ask for help
I learned that real, effective help in traditional shamanism can only emerge after the client asks for it. Even just in the mind. In addition, that unrequested help, even with best intensions can lead to worsening the situation. A look in the future, for example or any kind of divination would not reflect the affairs of the client in any kind, but would be only the reflection of the asking individual.
Explaining this, I heard a story once from old Siberia. Unfortunately I forgot the name of the tribe.
A man is sick and the family asks the shaman to come over and help. But as soon as the spirit helper wants to enter the room, the sick man, a good christian, yells at him, curses him and wants him to leave.
Quiet the shaman leaves.
As the disease of the man progresses, the family again requests the help of the spirit helper, so he comes to the sick mans bedchamber, only to hear him wishing the shaman to hell.
Quiet the shaman leaves.
The story repeats on more time, with the desperate family returning to the shaman, begging for his help in bitter tears. One more time the spirit helper approaches the sick man, just to hear him whisper in weak hasps that the shaman should leave.
The shaman leaves and the man dies from his disease.
Now the widow in sorrow and anger cries out to the spirit helper: “Why didn’t you help my husband? You would have had the power to do so easily!”
“No, I would have not, he didn’t t want me to.” Is his answer and he leaves quiet.
Here we recognise in the answer of the shaman, that the power of healing would have emerged from the client itself, not from the helper.
Just like in trance journey drumming it s not about to just hit the drum, but pulling the sound repeatedly out of the drum ;)