From “mind–matter” duality to “body–situation” mechanism —the phenomenology of the body on how shaman soul retrieval heals the sick
Philosophy Ethics and Humanities in Medicine October 6, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s13010-025-00192-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Modern Chinese shamans |
| Topics | Shamanism Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Soul Mechanism biology Phenomenology philosophy Philosophy of medicine Duality order theory Negotiation Epistemology Metaphysics Mind–body problem Semantics computer science |
| Key points | Argues that soul retrieval in contemporary Chinese shamanism operates through a "body-situation" einleibung mechanism, a body technique that transcends mind-matter dualism. |
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the renewal of soul-centred shamanic soul retrieval theories has provided various theoretical interpretations of the shamanic soul retrieval phenomenon and has exacerbated the "explanatory gap" found in "mind-mater" dualism. However, these theories cannot explain the body-centred turn of modern Chinese shamans under the influence of the body revitalization movement and their unique soul retrieval process.
Methods: Using the phenomenology of the body as a working platform, this paper uses the three body states between body schema and body image as a case study of modern Chinese shamanic soul retrieval.
Results: The study of the three processes of soul loss, evocation and return shows that soul retrieval is not a purely spiritual mystical event or a purely material and scientific event but rather a body technique for shamans to adjust, configure, and reposition the dislocated state of the patient's body while temporarily sharing a body (einleibung) with the patient.
Conclusions: This paper traces a discernible shift toward body in contemporary Chinese shamanic soul-retrieval practices. Through the analysis of select ritual case studies and the application of Schmitz's concept of Einleibung, we seek to delineate an interpretive "body-situation" einleibung mechanism that moves beyond conventional mind-matter dualism. Ultimately, this work aims to advance scholarly dialogue regarding how contemporary shamans negotiate the semantics of illness and healing through "body-situation" einleibung mechanism in present-day China.