Phenomenological Analysis of Experimentally Induced Visual Mental Imagery Associated with Shamanic Journeying to the Lower World
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2006 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2006.25.1.45 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed factorial design with phenomenological analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Six participants randomly assigned to conditions |
| Interventions | Sonic driving Ganzfeld relaxation sitting with eyes open |
| Measures | Modified Affect Bridge |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key points | Harner's shamanic journeying instructions coupled with religious instructions were associated with the highest religious imagery, while visual images associated with shamanic journeying derived primarily from autobiographical memories. |
Abstract
This study explored ostensibly shamanic journeying imagery by (a) assessing visual images across induction techniques (i.e., sonic driving, Ganzfeld, relaxation, and sitting with eyes open); (b) determining combination( s) of induction technique and instructions most associated with religious imagery; and (c) investigating the origins of visual imagery. Six participants were randomly assigned to factorial combinations of a 3 x 4 mixed design (levels of instruction x levels of induction) and were administered the Modified Affect Bridge to explore the origins of mental imagery reported during the experimental conditions. Phenomenological analysis yielded comprehensive constituent themes. Harner’s (1990) shamanic journeying, coupled with religious, instructions were associated with the highest religious imagery, while visual images associated with shamanic journeying were derived primarily from autobiographical memories.