An Introduction to Hidden Societal Enigmas That Have Significant Impact on Mental, Physical and Spiritual Health
Dona Biswas
February 28, 2023 DOI: 10.1201/b23304-31 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that shamanism has existed since the Paleolithic era and contributed to cognitive and social evolution via visual symbolism, bonding rituals, and analogical thought, but was marginalized in Western society after the 17th century as dualistic thinking replaced holistic thinking. Contends that accessing altered states of consciousness through drumming, singing, chanting, dancing, or psychoactive substances is fundamental to all shamanic practice. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the hidden but universal societal enigmas that have existed since the beginning of civilization and are in fact wired into our very biology, and that have a huge impact on our physical, mental and spiritual health. Healers, or shamans, have existed since the Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic era, and they played a pivotal role in cognitive and social evolution through visual symbolism, group bonding rituals and analogical thought processes. Since the scientific renaissance and separation of religion and science, dualistic thinking has replaced holistic thinking in Western society. Since the 17th century and the emerging dualistic thinking in Western society, shamanism began to be perceived as contrary to rational thought, and shamans were regarded as little more than theatrical performers. Fundamental to all shamanic practices is the ability to access ASC. The shaman achieves these non-ordinary states of consciousness through drumming, singing, chanting, dancing or using psychoactive substances.