1.1. Historical Overview

In certain species, the period of the initial evolution left different forms of mutual relations and care for the species. The human species progressed mostly in the formation of an organised system of life. As far as there is still evidence of it, in the initial stage the most distinct was the system of group leading, activities for spiritual satisfaction and maintenance of health. Clearly, at that time, all these three functions were performed by a single person. He led the group, was its spiritual leader, and had to know how to heal a patient, or to declare that he or she cannot be helped and will have to die.

This period is called the pre-religious period, and such leaders are still known as shamans. The work of the present shamans is only a pale reminiscence of what they did in the pre-religious period. Nevertheless, their individual operations at the spiritual level can show us how they once worked. For their spiritual rituals, they used everything that enabled them to be successful.

The whole group participated in the dance, they used rhythm, music and lyrics; they consumed individual plants, fruits, grasses and drinks, enabling them to fall into the so-called trance and experience joining with superior forces.

The shaman teachings are very useful for us today, as they show us, in a simple and authentic way, how to acquire spiritual values and how to use them in practice. In the initial stage of spiritual growth, these teachings help us a lot and their study is very useful. Their speciality is that we quickly understand how to successfully invest energy into spiritual development.

The next period, the period of gradual creation of religions, is called the religious period. This period was a time when a higher social level emerged and was characterised by the fact that three properties of a community leader – the spiritual, the leadership and the healing role – were no longer joined in one person. The healing, or as we say today, the alternative healing, was gradually separated and became an independent discipline.

In that period, it was characteristic that each ruler tried to obtain the role of the religious and simultaneously political leader. Many centuries later, there was the known fight about who in the society and the country will be the boss: the religious or the state head, politics or religion. This battle for supremacy between the sacred and the secular is still going on, although the politics of the modern age is officially separated from the religion. In the Western Christian culture, to which we as Europeans belong, the religion lost the battle and gradually became an organisation that is more political than religious. It does not investigate and does not create and does not teach spiritual values, it does not encourage spiritual growth of the believers, but works on its system of ruling the believers. At the spiritual level, it is satisfied by an individual member of the religious community being married, having children and regularly going to church and pray.

Because of this, it is completely understandable that various individuals and groups of people started to examine spirituality separately from the church. With inquisition, witch hunting, contempt of other religions, nations and cultures, the Church contributed to the development of these associations. They are known to us as secret associations. Although they exist and function, they are only characterised by partial and targeted spiritual development. They use their high knowledge in politics, economy and social life, as well as for personal success.