User:Maxmcq11/Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy

Definition of "shamanism"
Within his study of the subject, Eliade proposed several different definitions of the word "shamanism". The first of these was that shamanism simply constituted a "technique of ecstasy", and in Eliade's opinion, this was the "least hazardous" definition. '''Shamanism is a flexible custom that is embedded in a framework of cosmological beliefs and practices. Shamans believe there is a spiritual connection between everything in the universe, and therefore, do not consider Shamanism to be a religion, nor a science. Instead, Shamanism can be viewed as healing or helping technology. For Shamans to access the power they are given by spirits, they go on a spiritual journey.  Other definitions for the word "shamanism" are used interchangeably. "Medicine man", "sorcerer", "spirit healer", and "magician" are a few examples used to describe people with these "magico-religious" powers. These "magico-religious" people, or Shamans, believed in and used unconventional techniques in their flexible practices—like spirits, sacred herbs, and the supernatural—in order to heal other people. Shamans are theoretically justified in their practice and can be known as masters of spirits who have a specific group of mastered spirits.'''