africa: Wildlife, landforms and climate :: essays research papers fc

Witch doctors, psychics, mediums, biographyualists are alone just a few of the numerous namesassociated with Shamans. Many of us have heard these names echoed since childhood, but dowe really know who these people are? In the United States these people are viewed as outcastthere hasnt been a need for them in a very long time. Science, and modern technology haveexiled the Shaman into the fringe of society. They remain a mystery to most, but beckon theopen-minded. The Shaman is a spiritual wayfarer, that hasnt thrived in the United States sincethe arrival of the white man, and his conquest of nature.There are many definitions for shamanism, but few reveal the true nature of the Shaman.In simple terms, the Shaman is a person called upon to serve as a herald for the acres of thedead, but a Shaman is much more. A Shaman is someone who has explored, and gained a greatunderstanding of their inner being. They can tap into the force that flows throughout the world,and manipulate it. A S haman can alter his conscience so that he may travel to other worlds filledwith objects, and various kinds of spirits. In the spirit realm, a Shaman can gain knowledge inorder to help in healing, and other matters at hand. He is a spiritual advisor, and a healer of both physical and mental ailments.A destined Shaman is typically touchd in to their destiny by various forms of suffering. The most common clue is an extended illness for which there is no apparent cure. During thistime of suffering, the chosen person has dreams, visions, and journeys to the spirit realms, andare usually accompanied by a inn spirit. This spiritual guild commonly informs the ill personof their fate to become a Shaman. There is usually hesitation on the part of the chosen one, butthe suffering breaks down the will of that person. In the end, the destined assumes the role asShaman, and his suffering diminishes. With the guidance of an elder Shaman, or sometimes justtheir spirit guild, the pertly shaman is schoold into their new existence. It is a existence between this earthy realm, and that of the dead. An initiate of Shamanism goes through an significant transformation. As a result of the suffering, and rigorous training, the initiate experiences the death of his ego. In westernpsychology, the ego is the part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality,through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs actions (Websters