Many people mistake Shamanism as a religion but it is a term that embraces a diverse number of beliefs and practices that are mainly aimed at helping the living communicate with the spirit world. As with so many other religious or philosophical belief systems, the practice and interpretation of Shamanism is unique in cultures around the globe. Others view Shamanism as forming the root of Ancient Oriental medicine, as Shamans are considered to be healers who can cure the sick. According to Eppich (1), a Shaman is "a man or a woman who is able to enter into an altered state of consciousness for the purpose of embarking upon a spirit journey into alternate dimensions and realities in order to access hidden knowledge or power to help others." The main goal of this journey is for the Shaman to get in contact with "spirit helpers" that lend him or her divine powers (Eppich 1).
Developed in ancient cultures, Shamanism is often practiced in contemporary times and is increasingly viewed by healthcare providers as a legitimate form of alternative medicine. This analysis will provide a discussion of Shamanism in ancient and contemporary times, including the role of the Shaman and how he or she is viewed by his or her community. A conclusion will address why Shamanism continues to be popular in contemporary times.
Shamanism stems as a practice from ancient times. Altered states of consciousness were often evoked by Shamans in the healer and the sick by drumming, chanting, rhythmic movement, ecstatic dance, and hallucinogen plants responsible for creating the path from the "ordinary to the extraordinary" world (Hyman, 10). The Ancient Mayans living in the Amazon practiced Shamanism and Shamans were an integral part of each community or culture. While Shamanism is interpreted and practiced differently among cultures and in ancient and contemporary times, all of the universal elements of Shamanism express the ...