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[JackDaydream]

I am extremely interested in ideas about shamanism as a world view. It can be thought of from different angles, including the psychological and from the framework of anthropology. One of the important studies is Mircea Eliade, 'Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy'. This looks at ideas within various systems of shamanism around the world, ideas of initiation. One central theme of the idea is that of the wounded healer and how this sense of wounding is a starting point for the quest. Eliade says, 'the shamanic vocation is manifested by a crisis, a temporary derangement of the future shaman's equilibrium.' The shamanic journey is often marked by some underlying illness, which could be physical or could be emotional or mental, or even both.

The shamanic cosmology is one of a descent to the the underworld and the upper world as dimensions of the inner quest. This is interesting from a philosophy point of view in connection with understanding the nature of reality. Kenneth Meadows, in 'Shamanic Spirit: A Practical Guide to Personal Fulfillment', says:
'The wonder of you is that you actually exist in several realities, all at the same time. This is possible because you have "bodies" other than the physical and Energetic ones..Your physical and Energetic bodies enable you to experience life through sensation. In addition, you have a Mental Body which enables you to function in the reality of the mind, where you can shape thoughts, initiate ideas, consider and compare, evaluate and make judgements, exercise the imagination, and enjoy your dreams and visions. This mental body experiences life through impression. You also have a Soul Body which functions in the reality of the Soul and experience existence through expression. And you have Spirit which experiences life through be-ing'. I am not certain about this model but do consider it to be a possibility even though it challenges mainstream Western thinking. I am interested to know what anyone on the forum thinks of this perspective on reality.

An important consideration in thinking about shamanism is its relationship to religious systems and the practitioners are within this cultural context. That is why I have put this thread in the philosophy of religion section. However, for people outside of the religious background the shamanic quest can be a source for contemplation as a mythical idea. In some ways, some rock stars' journeys can be seen as a form resembling the figure of the shaman, especially as shamanism often involves music in the attainment of altered states of consciousness. Also, there can be a theatrical element as conveyed in the idea of the shaman as a shapeshifter.

Generally, I see the idea of the shamanic quest as being an inspirational source for thinking of the idea of healing oneself. However, there are dangers inherent in the journey. But, if the shaman is able to heal his or her brokenness, this can lead to an ability to heal others. So, I am raising this topic for anyone who is interested in the ideas about shamanism, and with a view to how the nature of shamanism can be considered in the wider framework of philosophy.

[stevie]

Oh dear!

[JackDaydream]

@stevie

What do you mean by, 'Oh dear' ? Presumably you are not interested in shamanism at all or think that the ideas within it are problematic. I don't know which? I find that it is an inspiring approach to life, so what more can I say?

[stevie]

@stevie

... so what more can I say?

It's exactly that ... I can't say more.

[JackDaydream]

@stevie

Has the topic left you speechless? So, what do you feel emotionally by the topic? Or, has it left you without any feeling at all. I guess that many may find shamanism a rather strange topic and I wonder if it in many ways an oddity on s philosophy site, as so much is influenced by Western culture. I do know other people who are interested in shamanism, but it probably needs an emotional connection. It may appeal more to those with a sense of emotional pain, with a wish to find a healing way and of the need to voyage into the depths of inner space to find aspects of the soul which have been lost.

[Pattern-chaser]

I am extremely interested in ideas about shamanism as a world view. It can be thought of from different angles, including the psychological and from the framework of anthropology. One of the important studies is Mircea Eliade, 'Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy'...

I rather think that one important piece of knowledge concerning shamanism is that it can't be learned from books...?

[JackDaydream]

@Pattern-chaser

Thanks for your reply and it is an important point that knowledge of shamanism cannot be learned merely by books. This is problematic in our society because it is extremely difficult to become a shamanic apprenticeship in most Western countries, such as in England. It means that people who do have an interest in shamanic practice are left to muddle through with the quest. It may be that this is a central aspect of some experimentation with hallucinogenics is an aspect of this quest, but there is no officially sanctioned form of vision quests in our culture.

It may be that the idea of the shaman is an archetype, as a mythical journey. There are also parallels between aspects of shamanic exploration and the individuation process described by Carl Jung, as argued by Robert Ryan in, 'Shamanism and the Psychology of C. G. Jung.'Of course, once again it is not easy to access Jungian therapy. Some forms of art therapy do incorporate some elements of this approach.

Unfortunately many who experience mental illness are offered medication as the main option available. I am not in any way, suggesting that medication is to be avoided but I do wonder if some forms of mental distress would be aided by a model which incorporates a shamanic approach, including the exploration of symbolic experiences. That is because it is often the case that many people who come into mental health services have some underlying experiences of trauma, meaning that there is a basic need to heal wounds from the past.