Bridge weavers
Dominika Klimas
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology October 16, 2025 DOI: 10.53074/cstp.2025.86 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Highly skilled facilitators working alongside Indigenous shamans in their country of origin, predominantly with the Shipibo tribe in Peru |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Indigenous Transpersonal Safeguarding Bridge graph theory Qualitative research Traditional knowledge Grounded theory Face sociological concept Space punctuation Thematic analysis Work physics |
| Key findings | Five key themes emerged from the analysis, synthesized into two interrelated domains depicting facilitators' roles and responsibilities in shamanic and ceremonial settings. |
Abstract
This article presents findings of the study on the role and characteristics of contemporary psychedelic facilitation in shamanic and ceremonial settings, with facilitators who work alongside Indigenous shamans in their country of origin. While interest in psychedelics has increased in recent years, there is a paucity of studies that have focused on the process of facilitation within these environments. To address the gaps, this study employed a constructivist grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews with eight highly skilled facilitators were used to collect the data. The interviews explored the complexities of facilitators’ work and their competencies within shamanic and ceremonial contexts. Their experience centred predominantly on the Shipibo tribe in Peru and ayahuasca ceremonies. Five key themes emerged from the analysis, further synthesised into two interrelated domains, depicting facilitators’ roles and responsibilities. The study provides insights into the capabilities of practitioners and challenges they face when operating in non-clinical, non-recreational environments within ceremonial settings guided by Indigenous shamans. Rooted in transpersonal psychology, this research aims to contribute to the development of holding space and safeguarding practices in psychedelic therapy, coaching, and facilitation. It also emphasises the importance of recognising anthropological and other diverse viewpoints, and intends to contribute to the thoughtful and respectful bridging of Indigenous and Western perspectives.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Plantas con madre": plants that teach and guide in the shamanic initiation process in the East-Central Peruvian Amazon. Curanderos, apprentices, and herbalists in East-Central Peru, including Mestizo,... | 2011 | Qualitative study | n = 36 |
| Purging and the body in the therapeutic use of ayahuasca Healers and participants in shamanic tourism contexts of the Peruvian Amazon and... | 2019 | Ethnography with literature review | n = 227 |
| The Globalization of Ayahuasca Shamanism and the Erasure of Indigenous Shamanism Western tourists and indigenous peoples in Iquitos, Peru | 2016 | Ethnography | |
| Shamanism and Rock Art in Far Western North America Historic hunter-gatherer cultures of California and the Great Basin | 1992 | Ethnographic review and analysis | |
| Working with “La Medicina”: Elements of Healing in Contemporary Ayahuasca Rituals Ayahuasqueros and Western participants in shamanic tourism in Iquitos, Peru | 2012 | Ethnography |