The Sacred and the Profane

The truth is that The Basement Shaman is irrelevant. You don't need us or anything we could possibly try to offer you. We've always struggled to walk the razor's edge between the sacred and the profane.We've restled with the concept of being a "conscious" business since our inception, and struggled with whether the very idea is ridiculous or meaningful.

It's funny you know, when we first started business back in 1992, there were very few companies involved in the business of offering ethno or more precisely entheobotanicals. We owe much debt in the formation of our original business idea to the now defunct "of the jungle...", an absolutely novel, and pioneering company. Now we see hundreds of businesses have spun off from the original model. Many are poor copycats, some are outright scams, and a few are gems. You'll find many self-proclaimed "shamanic superstores", and it makes us wonder when Wal-mart will enter the gig. It's sad to see how much the essence of shamanism and the spiritual connection of humans to the radiant intellechy of nature has been the commercialized and commodified. What a hallmark of our time that money seems to be king in every possible venue including the ineffable.

At times, when I'm feeling most cynical, irritable and just downright depressed, I think of pitching it all. Throwing in the towel, and trying for something more pure. I've heard very litttle from all of you, except for when we offered some enticement such as a product freebie for leaving a comment on this blog. Tonight it leaves me feeling raw. I realize I'm being peavish, petulant and self-absorbed to ask for more. Once again, we're likely irrelevant, but I'm left wondering, just what is it that you all really want? What do you feel you need? Are you all just spectators, witnessing this like anonymous bystanders to a traffic accident at rushhour? The silence is deafening.

Comments

[lacherdamclow]

This is the first time I've been on your site. I'm sorry for your discouragement, but looking at what you are doing realistically is magnificent.

This entire society is about commodofication and the ineffable is not excluded; especially since most people don't know what "ineffable" means and don't know that experience without language and the current paradigm exist. Most people don't have the slightest idea what the difference is between the sacred and profane. I don't even claim to have a 100% grasp of it, but I'm thankful that I at least know that the dichotomy exists. In my experience, most people experimenting with shamanic tools learned about through the internet lack the cognitive rubric to even understand its values. As a result, they likely have no experience or are frightened to near death, which is why Saliva, especially, is going to be illegal across the states soon.

But there are a handful of individuals who are helped and legitimately seek ancient wisdom instead of a quick fix. For these people, reliable websites like yours are INVALUABLE.

Keep your chin up; you are doing good.

mike

[Eric]

Mr. Shaman and colleagues,
What you have created here is an asset to the community, something truly special. The care that you take and the integrity that you bring to this work is a rare phenomenon. Though yoga and meditation have become the new chic products of the moment, and herbs have become the new miracle prescriptions, many people are aware that it is the spirit behing these action that holds true power, and worldviews are changing.

I will tell you that your cyber-propagation of Salvia has changed lives, including that of my roommate, who has since overcome OCD. We understand that you are more than just a retailer, I speculate that the lack of explicit feedback is due less to apathy than to silent appreciation. So, thank you kindly for your honesty and diligence in skating on the edges of the sacred. Peace to you all.
-Eric

[Dr. Mosley]

My friend,
I Do not want free products i would rather them be available to others. Do not throw in the towel, people need you to expand their consious. You make it possible to open the doors of perception, if you were to quit you would be closing the doors for many others.

[Sean]

God bless you.

[kahnohteh]

Such is the magic,do not let the negative outweigh the positive.

[Eoghan]

I understand all too well how one can become discouraged. Allow me to assure you that there are those of us who appreciate the distance between the site and business you have established and the run of the mill copy cat sites. As I have said before, I sincerely hope you have better paying customers than me, for of late I have been too pressed by other financial concerns to be a big spender, but I have always felt that you have maintained an integrity and level of information that sets you apart.

In the end, you have to do what is in your own best interest, but I would lament the passing of Basement Shaman as it represents a significant cut above the rest. I don't buy from people I don't have confidence in, and I know of no competitor of yours who inspires the confidence that you do.

Eoghan

[Eoghan]

Irrelevant? I don't think so. Those who strive to excel are never irrelevent, they stand as the yardstick by which all others are measured. In the genre of business you are in Andy, the Basement Shaman is without doubt that yardstick. You may not be as big as some, but I do not doubt that all of them have looked at your site and continue to do so on a regular basis. It is more than apparent that many of them have literally attempted to copy you.

Don't be discouraged because the blog is not always filled with comments. You are very relevant.

[spinzaar]

I was in my basement when i decided to be a shaman. I typed in basement shaman and low and behold your site appeared. I may be an unfortunate case. I started taking LSD at age 12 and continued with it as my sole guide to enlightenment. I believed i stopped at age 19-20. I learned many things about nature and magic. I have met aliens and masters of the universe and have absorbed from them understanding. When i was 18 I established a direct dialog with the creator of everything. I lost this link after about a year. It is not easy to hold such a line in this world. I do not know how to convey the knowledge I possess effectively yet. At times I do not know how to use it. I understand there is a war. I will continue with my intent to help people understand by using the term shaman. It references a much needed focus "Earth and Magic". I mostly make incense from plants i buy from you. I teach a meditation that involves smoke (not smoking) in hopes it will bring about a real opening that does not exhaust the supplier capacitors within us. I now feel that this process takes time and effort. Thank you for being here when I typed in basement shaman.

[Seesee]

This is my 1st time to the site and I am very impressed! I have not been able to find another place that has such a wealth of great info that's available for anyone who wants to absorb it. Please don't get discouraged. This place you've built is unique and special : )

[Charles]

I am sorry I did not notice this post when it first went up. I hope your feelings of discoragement have passed. I know that I for one thank you for a great site. I randomly stumbled upon this site almost a year ago. Since then there has not been a day gone by that I have not studied plants in one way or another. I thank you for bringing out the inner plant person in me. I still feel as though I know nothing of the power of plants, but someday I will know something usefull. When that day comes I will have one place to thank, and that is the Basement Shaman. I wish you and your plants nothing but the best for this growing season.

[Scott]

You want my feedback. I have sent you 4 emails about this problem and you have ignored them all. I purchased a large $25 packet of poppy seeds. (White per) I planted seeds that I had from last year. (Blue per. And Gigantum) on one side of my planting bed and the ones I purchase from you on the other side of the bed and in 2 other spots. The only thing that sprouted was the ones I already had. Poppies are not hard to grow and yours should of sprouted but in there place are a bunch of weeds. I am very upset and I have read a few other complaints similar to mine on the Internet.

[christine]

I almost never read blogs yet here I sit, wishing I had read this when you were feeling so low. I find what you are doing incredibly valuable and Please don't engage in any towel-tossing any time soon. To think that the awareness, insights and knowledge plants gift us is not just understood but actively encouraged with such a stunning array of material and knowledge on your part.....thank you. thank you. thank you.

[basementshaman]

Hi Scott.

How are you?

It was only after just reading your post on our blog that we realized something was terribly wrong with your order. First, we profoundly apologize for any grief we've caused you. I personally know how frustrating it can be to order something online, encounter trouble, and then to add insult to injury, receive unresponsive or no after support.

The Basement Shaman is run by both my wife, Dawn, and I. We literally see and manually process every single order, and field all our e-mails and phone calls. We can get a couple hundred e-mails a day, but we make it point to get back to everyone, with the priority of supporting customers with good or bad experiences. We searched our e-mail records for the last year and didn't once find the address "atekla@hotmail.com". We're stumped, and have no good excuse why your multiple messages should have escaped us.

We want you know we deeply care about your problem and dissatisfaction. We absolutely stand behind all of our products, and will offer refunds or replacements any time you think there's a problem, and in your case perhaps there's a little token something extra we can do as a measure of our good will. We've been running the Basement Shaman for 14 years now, and like to think that part of our success lies in the special relationship we have with our customers. We both take care of each other. In the event, we blundered badly, we hope you give us a second chance to make things right. Just let us know how we can make you happy. All the best.
Happiness,
Andy @ The Basement Shaman

[robert]

I am sadden with you, and I have not ever used any herbs for over 40yrs, but have been studing "Salvia" sage plants for spiritual enlightenment, so keep growing everything the "state" will allow, maybe you could setup shop on my 60 acre farm in another State???

[Scott]

In regards to my "feedback"
Posted by: Scott | June 26, 2007 at 05:38 AM

and your response.
Posted by: basementshaman | June 29, 2007 at 01:22 AM

I received your email and have sense replied through my “Hotmail” email account and my “Outlook Express” email account showing you the four emails I have sent. I have not received any acknowledgement that you have received these emails. I do not have a problem with my email clients. Yahoo on the other hand is very problematic.

[scoopy]

What do we all need? Why do we keep coming here?

Goddamn man. Maybe I dont need anything and are just interested in having some experiences???

[scoopy]

What do we all need? Why do we keep coming here?

Goddamn man. Maybe I dont need anything and are just interested in having some experiences???

[Dave]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your business. Your service is prompt, informative, and is one of the last refuges for the persecuted experimenter. I am old enough that I do not seek a "high", I seek a different perspective. Your business provides that, in a safe, legal manner and that brings me peace of mind. Keep up the good work!

[Mike]

Andy,

Obviously I truly wish things were different and things were becoming lighter instead of darker as it so often seems. Please know you have been an invaluable resource for me and I can only hope things change, more people wake up and B. Shaman can thrive in an era of increasing light and love.

[Adam Atman]

Cheer up! There is much to celebrate in crafting a life of 'right livelihood' in the midst of the crazy swirling of this world. I have often appreciated your websites' contribution and the sacred plants you make available.
If you are interested here is a link to a 30 minute section of my radio show where I address the spiritual and healing benefits of Tobacco

http://www.adamatman.com/audio/discussion%20of%20tobacco.mp3

[Adam Atman]

Cheer up! There is much to celebrate in crafting a life of 'right livelihood' in the midst of the crazy swirling of this world. I have often appreciated your websites' contribution and the sacred plants you make available.
If you are interested here is a link to a 30 minute section of my radio show where I address the spiritual and healing benefits of Tobacco

http://www.adamatman.com/audio/discussion%20of%20tobacco.mp3