Essays on Shamanism

The document on shamanism prevents a detailed, in-depth look at the major aspects of the modality and how it is applied. The interesting thing about the text is its approach: despite the spiritual nature of its subject matter, it manages to present a no-nonsense approach to the topic. Every chapter in the document contains a combination of descriptions, directions, vignettes, caveats that entertain as well instruct (Anon. 1-77). It may be tempting to dismiss the text as New Age “mumbo-jumbo” due to its non-empirical nature. However, it has a very methodical, organized, matter-of-fact communication style that warrants at least ...

Introduction

For centuries they have been tormented, tortured and isolated, considered as outcast of the society. Witches, sorcerers, shamans or magical doctors have been misunderstood and burned at the steak for heresy, because their practices overpassed the human understanding. Through a combination of herbal mixes or psychedelic substances plus a thorough understanding of the human mind, the magical methods of these traditional practices have been analyzed across centuries (Haule 17). While in the modern societies the conventional science, medicine or human psychology are largely preferred, discoveries show that shamanic, witchery, sorcery or magical practices have pragmatic basis and scientific value ( ...

Return of the Native

1. Signed in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was a peace deal between the United States of America and The Great Britain. It was responsible for the creation of the first international boundary for the United States. It divided the land of the newly formed American Nation and the American Indian tribes. The conflict was ready even before the agreed borders took effect. Although the French assumed that the Americans would honor the territorial rights of the Indian nations, they were apparently unaware of the settlements which extend well into Indian lands. Moreover, the economy of the American nation, ...

Question 1

The function of gossip is to build strong bonds between individuals (Wert and Salovey 123). Individuals can share ideas, opinions, and emotions by finding common grounds that unite them. These points of convergence, whether positive or negative, unifies them in long-term friendships or a temporary association. Gossip also facilitates social comparisons that can either build up or tear down an individual. By comparing themselves with others, people gain insights into the validity of their opinions and beliefs, hence the description of gossip as “self-evaluative” (Wert and Salovey 123). Self-evaluation creates an avenue for identifying the shortfalls in one’s ...

Cultural Representation in Native America

According to chapter four, Native American religion has become a commodity today because people have taken advantage of the practice of shamanism in order to capitalize on the potential monetary benefits that come from it. People are assigning themselves “leadership roles” but are really just vying for control and exercising their hidden agendas (Sutler-Cohen 45). Knowledge and spirituality are thus transformed into profitable commodities run by businesspeople instead of true natural healers. By saying “You can own grandma’s songs,” Sutler-Cohen is referring to the practice of taking Native symbols and religious icons and transforming them into trendy or ...