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The Psychology of The Shaman (Inner Journey)

Eternalised・27 minutes read

Shamanism is an ancient practice with shamans integral to some cultures and on the fringe of others, embodying instinctual patterns shared by all, aiming to restore psychic equilibrium through rituals and symbolic elements. The shamanic journey involves trials, leading to the transformation of the neophyte by descending to the Underworld, ascending to the Sky Realm, and returning transformed.

Insights

  • Shamanism, an ancient practice, predates recorded civilizations by thousands of years and serves as a prototype for various healing systems, including modern psychotherapy, reflecting consistent deeper structures across cultures.
  • Shamans, archetypes embodying instinctual patterns shared by all, aim to connect with animals and view all living beings as possessing a divine life force known as animism, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature and the sacred for preserving civilization and restoring psychic equilibrium.

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Recent questions

  • What is the origin of Shamanism?

    Shamanism is an ancient practice that predates recorded civilizations by thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in the Palaeolithic era, linking it closely to the animal world. Shamans aim to connect with animals through various rituals and symbolic elements, viewing all living beings as possessing a divine life force known as animism.

  • How do shamans view the world?

    Shamans view the world through a lens of interconnectedness, where all living beings are seen as possessing a divine life force. They believe in animism, which is the belief that everything in nature, including animals and plants, has a spiritual essence. This perspective shapes their healing practices and rituals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony and balance with the natural world.

  • What role do shamans play in society?

    Shamans play a crucial role in society as healers and spiritual guides. They are individuals who have experienced altered states of consciousness and are able to connect with the spiritual realm to bring about healing and transformation. Shamans are recruited through various means such as inheritance, divine calls, or uncurable sickness, and they are seen as masters of the sacred, aiming to restore psychic equilibrium in individuals and communities.

  • How do shamans differ from priests and psychotherapists?

    Shamans differ from priests and psychotherapists in their approach to healing and spiritual guidance. While priests are typically associated with organized religions and psychotherapists focus on mental health, shamans are rooted in the phenomenon of shamanism, which involves connecting with the spiritual realm to bring about healing and transformation. Shamans are seen as individuals who have a unique ability to navigate altered states of consciousness and work with the sacred to restore balance and harmony.

  • What is the significance of the shamanic journey?

    The shamanic journey is a central aspect of shamanic practice, involving trials that lead to the transformation of the neophyte. This journey consists of descending to the Underworld, ascending to the Sky Realm, and returning transformed. It reflects the human condition and deeper structures across cultures, highlighting the archetypal nature of shamans as individuals who embody instinctual patterns shared by all. Through the shamanic journey, individuals are able to confront their inner chaos, undergo a process of inner growth, and ultimately restore psychic equilibrium.

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Summary

00:00

Classic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

  • Recipe for classic spaghetti carbonara
  • Boil 200g spaghetti for 10 minutes
  • Fry 100g pancetta until crispy
  • Whisk 2 eggs with 50g grated Parmesan
  • Drain spaghetti, mix with pancetta
  • Add egg mixture, stir until creamy
  • Season with black pepper, serve hot

00:00

Ancient Shamanism: Healing, Transformation, and Connection

  • Shamanism is an ancient practice, predating recorded civilizations by thousands of years.
  • Shamans are integral to some cultures and on the fringe of others, yet share common experiences.
  • Shamanism is a prototype for various healing systems, including modern psychotherapy.
  • The shamanic journey reflects the human condition, with consistent deeper structures across cultures.
  • Shamans are archetypes, embodying instinctual patterns shared by all.
  • The origin of Shamanism in the Palaeolithic era links it to the animal world.
  • Shamans aim to connect with animals through various rituals and symbolic elements.
  • Shamans view all living beings as possessing a divine life force known as animism.
  • Loss of soul is a feared illness in primitive civilizations, manifesting as depression or anxiety.
  • Primitive people have a deeper connection with nature and the unconscious.
  • Carl Jung highlights the diminishing presence of spiritual elements in modern religions.
  • Reconnecting with nature and the sacred is crucial for preserving civilization.
  • An existential crisis often triggers a call to adventure, leading to inner growth.
  • Repressed contents of the unconscious can lead to inner chaos and the dark night of the soul.
  • Like alchemists, shamans transform chaos into order through an existential crisis.
  • Shamans are masters of the sacred, aiming to restore psychic equilibrium.
  • Shamans are individuals who have experienced altered states of consciousness.
  • Shamans are recruited through inheritance, divine calls, or uncurable sickness.
  • Shamans are akin to priests and psychotherapists, rooted in the phenomenon of shamanism.
  • The shamanic journey involves trials, leading to the transformation of the neophyte.
  • The shamanic journey consists of descending to the Underworld, ascending to the Sky Realm, and returning transformed.
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