Nature is the author of humanity’s destiny. Such a vague and all-encompassing concept has led to man’s attempts to understand the cosmos. How then does one proceed to study and understand such? Presently, for example, there are well over 300 religions in the world and science can be broken into the physical sciences, social sciences, applied sciences, and life sciences. It is through each of these facets that the systems of the universe are explored. Yet, each of the modern conceptions of study have evolved from earlier forms of cultural innovations, one of which is shamanism. Shamanism is unlike traditional religious structures, being that shamans command a unique set of ritual techniques. Techniques that allow for one to move between the
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Eliade delves into a cross-cultural conception of shamanism. Yet, in doing so, also urges for a more restrictive use of the word shaman. Eliade, argues that rather than signifying a medicine man or magician, shaman is for a practitioner of a sacred ritual. In this ritual one is able to engage in a mystical experience, and finally able to recover a state of freedom. Moreover, it was in a hunting and pastoral society that one was able to allow for shamanism to occur in the most pure forms. So, while Eliade does expressly connect how modern religion may have evolved from shamanism, Eliade does offer a beginning insight on how shamanism developed over two and a half millennia, and consequently allowed for the rise of modern religious traditions. This would be the basis for future research for shamanism’s relationship to human nature, and its evolutionary …show more content…
Drawing upon cross-cultural data, McClenon posits that supernatural experiences are a trait that the human species shares. McClenon outlines previous research for the evolutionary process of religion, yet only latches on to the notion that, as hominids acquired the evolutionary ability for language, did culture evolve into a self-initiated, representational stage. Adding to this is the proposed model that as natural selection was in progress, humans benefited most from the shamanic rituals, as they allowed for survival advantages and fertility, mostly through a state of hypnosis. To support the notion that hypnosis is genetically and socially beneficial, McClenon draws on evidence that hypnosis demonstrates the ability to alleviate psychophysiological and other neurotic disorders. Additionally, it is posited that the benefit of hypnosis would allow for the subduing of aggressive and other species-specific traits, which would allow for the necessity of collective living, and thus survival. McClenon even suggests that there is physical evidence for the evolution of primate hypnotic capabilities. Using exponential models and data, McClenon outlines how hypnosis, and thus the altered state of consciousness, is able to positively affect the human species. From there, one is able to
Eliade delves into a cross-cultural conception of shamanism. Yet, in doing so, also urges for a more restrictive use of the word shaman. Eliade, argues that rather than signifying a medicine man or magician, shaman is for a practitioner of a sacred ritual. In this ritual one is able to engage in a mystical experience, and finally able to recover a state of freedom. Moreover, it was in a hunting and pastoral society that one was able to allow for shamanism to occur in the most pure forms. So, while Eliade does expressly connect how modern religion may have evolved from shamanism, Eliade does offer a beginning insight on how shamanism developed over two and a half millennia, and consequently allowed for the rise of modern religious traditions. This would be the basis for future research for shamanism’s relationship to human nature, and its evolutionary …show more content…
Drawing upon cross-cultural data, McClenon posits that supernatural experiences are a trait that the human species shares. McClenon outlines previous research for the evolutionary process of religion, yet only latches on to the notion that, as hominids acquired the evolutionary ability for language, did culture evolve into a self-initiated, representational stage. Adding to this is the proposed model that as natural selection was in progress, humans benefited most from the shamanic rituals, as they allowed for survival advantages and fertility, mostly through a state of hypnosis. To support the notion that hypnosis is genetically and socially beneficial, McClenon draws on evidence that hypnosis demonstrates the ability to alleviate psychophysiological and other neurotic disorders. Additionally, it is posited that the benefit of hypnosis would allow for the subduing of aggressive and other species-specific traits, which would allow for the necessity of collective living, and thus survival. McClenon even suggests that there is physical evidence for the evolution of primate hypnotic capabilities. Using exponential models and data, McClenon outlines how hypnosis, and thus the altered state of consciousness, is able to positively affect the human species. From there, one is able to