Merge

The shamanic teacher merges with the learner in an act of compassion and complete understanding to form one awareness.

O'Hara's "merge" is comprable with Nodding's engrossment and Roger's empathetic understanding. In layman's terms, merge occurs when the teacher walks in the shoes of the learner to fully understand the learner.

"A primary function of the shamanic teacher is the capacity to merge with the learner intellecutally, emotionally, and spiritually" (O'Hara, 2015, p. 21).

To merge with the learner, the teacher:

listens to the what is not being said and methaphorically ‘rides’ on the backs of what the learner shares.
Has the capacity to perceive the problems or predicaments of others.
Uses empathy, in which a temporary shared self is brought about through soul-to-soul contact.