Shamanism

practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they believe to be a spirit world

Shamanism is a practice where a practitioner reaches altered states of consciousness. Supposedly, the shaman perceives and interacts with a spirit world, and channels these energies into this world.[1]

A shaman doctor of Kyzyl, 2005.
Shaman priest of North America, 1897.

A shaman is a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and bad spirits. They usually enter into a trance state during a ritual, and do divination and healing.[2] To become a shaman, a person has to have had a near death experience (a "shamanic illness").[3]

The name "shaman" comes from the Evenki people in Siberia.[3]

Shamans play a central role in these movements, as they can be in both worlds, this one, and the world of spirits.

Beliefs

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  • Spirits are real and can do things in the real world.
  • There are good and evil spirits.
  • Healing can be done in the spirit and real world.
  • A person's spirit can leave their body and go into the world of the spirits.
  • Animal shapes are used to interact with the spirits.

Shamanism is different from animism.

  • Quantum Men (Carlos Serrano Azcona) Spain 2011
  • Other Worlds (Jan Kounen) France 2004
  • Bells From the Deep (Werner Herzog) Germany 1993
  • The Mad Masters (Jean Rouch) France 1955
  • Au pays des mages noirs (Jean Rouch) France 1947

References

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  1. Hoppál, Mihály 2007. Is shamanism a folk religion?. Shamans and Traditions, vol 13. Bibliotheca Shamanistica. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó. ISBN 978-963-05-8521-7
  2. Oxford Dictionary Online[permanent dead link].
  3. 3.0 3.1 Stern, David. "Shamans: Masters of Ecstasy". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.