Shamanism: Spiritual Healing Practice

Shamanism or shamanic healing is a type of spiritual healing practice that was introduced in ancient traditions and is still practiced today as it is believed to be the most ancient healing practice in the world. Even though Shamanism is a religious practice is not considered a religion but more so a cultural practice adapted by many diverse people around the world, and those who practice Shamanism is called a “Shaman”. The word “Shaman” derives from the Tungus people of Siberia and arises from the word “saman” which can means “the one who sees” or "one who knows.", A Shaman is a medicine man or woman that uses magic to communicate with the sprits to heal illnesses of the soul, mind, and the body, to have visions, and to mediate. Through this …show more content…
Tourists would embark on their journeys with other pilgrims through the deep forests and villages of Peru on their way to achieve spiritual and medicinal healing. In this region, Ayahuasca, which is a medicinal mixture made with yage and mixed with other herbs and plants. In Peru the tourism for healing by Shamans is on the rise as there a tour companies, Ayahuasca retreats, and villagers that open their homes to strangers especially for the use of Ayahuasca. The economic factors of the Ayahuasca tourism is of an immense benefit to the Peruvians who practice Shamanism and for those who extract the medicinal components of trees and plants for the Ayahuasca mixtures. The economic benefits deprives from the Ayahuasca retreats as the costs start from $700 to as much as $2000 and up just for a few nights. Examples of Ayahuasca tourism as stated by Stuart, R. "Ayahuasca Tourism: A cautionary tale." (2002) 36-38. In Stuart’s …show more content…
DMT, not active by itself when taken orally, is inhibited by the potent alkaloids found in Banisteriopsis caapi, accounting for the psychotropic effects of the ayahuasca concoction.” In South America it is said that not any and every one can become a Shaman as this is a spiritual calling, this can be through dreams, whispers or visions called upon the individual by the higher spirits and it is said that if the individual choses to ignore the calling the whispers can become louder and the dreams into nightmares. If the individual consistently ignores the calling repercussions may include severe illness, mysterious injuries and even death. Those that do follow the calling possess many spiritual powers and abilities to carry out their rituals.
According to the article “Power, Ideology and the Ritual of Production in Lowland South America”, the author Fernando Santos Granero states