User:Maxmcq11/Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
Arguments
[edit]Definition of "shamanism"
[edit]Within his study of the subject, Eliade proposed several different definitions of the word "shamanism". The first of these was that shamanism simply constituted a "technique of ecstasy", and in Eliade's opinion, this was the "least hazardous" definition. Shamanism is a flexible custom that is embedded in a framework of cosmological beliefs and practices.[1] Shamans believe there is a spiritual connection between everything in the universe, and therefore, do not consider Shamanism to be a religion, nor a science. Instead, Shamanism can be viewed as healing or helping technology.[2] For Shamans to access the power they are given by spirits, they go on a spiritual journey.[2] Other definitions for the word "shamanism" are used interchangeably. "Medicine man", "sorcerer", "spirit healer", and "magician" are a few examples used to describe people with these "magico-religious" powers. These "magico-religious" people, or Shamans, believed in and used unconventional techniques in their flexible practices—like spirits, sacred herbs, and the supernatural—in order to heal other people.[3] Shamans are theoretically justified in their practice and can be known as masters of spirits who have a specific group of mastered spirits.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Laugrand, Frédéric B.; Oosten, Jarich G. (2010-01-01). Inuit Shamanism and Christianity: Transitions and Transformations in the Twentieth Century. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-7636-0.
- ^ a b c "Expedition Magazine - Penn Museum". www.penn.museum. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ a b Eliade, Mircea (2004-02-08). Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-11942-7.
- ^ a b Jakobsen, Merete Demant (1999). Shamanism: Traditional and Contemporary Approaches to the Mastery of Spirits and Healing. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-1-57181-994-9.