User:Erinsamantha

Shamanism By Samantha Schell, Erin Gates, and Morgan Sawicki What is Shamanism? Shamanism (meaning he or she knows) is a belief system involving traditional beliefs and practices dealing with communication with the spiritual world. Shamans have the ability to diagnose and cure human suffering. They act as mediators with humans and spirits in their culture. They attempt to explain unnassociated phenomenon and the meaning of life ad death. History It began in Turkey, spread to Siberia and Mongolia and it is still practiced in North America, South America, Indonesia, Oceania, and many other places. While there is no known founder, Marco Polo is credited with discovering it. The year it was founded is unknown and there are no canonical texts. Instead, Shamans use knowledge that they individually attain. It is derived from ancient teachings. Shamanism began by humans desire to know more about the supernatural world. Central Beliefs It is not really a belief system, but rather an individual's perception of life, nature, and spirits. They are usually magicians, healers, dream interpreters, and gurus. Shamans "communicate" with spirits. How to Become a Shaman People may become Shamans in three different ways. 1. Hereditary transmission 2. Spontanious selection or "calling" 3. Personal choice and quest Once a person has become a Shaman, they have a new meaning of life that consists of communication with their ancestory. Influence on Other Religions Shamanism influenced other religions with their documents such as Bon, Buddhism, Taoism, and other Japanese religions.