1. The old dualism of materialism versus idealism is (has already been) undermined considerably by advances in biology, physics and possibly even philosophy. So now we are learning that what seems to be material is actually composed of energy, and what seems to be mental is actually, well, not so much so. To give you an idea, which relates to recent advances in medical science, it is now becoming apparent that certain mental disorders, like autism, may have their origins in the bacteria (or lack thereof) in the gut. So we cannot avidly assert that someone lacks mental strength or (perhaps even) ability because they are not of good moral fiber, but rather their gut fiber might not be so good (much more literally).
2. Even back in the forties or fifties (I’m not sure when) Bataille proposed “base materalism” as a mystical formula relating to matter. I think he specifically remarked on its indeterminacy. So matter and mysticism can be quite compatible on an abstract level, even if that is not how most people understand it.
3. So, I would move away from positing that there are two basic levels of existence, or two basic levels of understanding. It might be better to see energy moving into matter and matter moving into energy. (I have actually thought this way myself – that those whose energies have been captured, by larger and perhaps hostile forces, are forced to remain as matter, losing their capacity to self-transform and adjust at will to difficult or different situations.
Hostile forces always try to pin us down, to make our energy visible (materially), so that it can be used and drained off for other purposes. That is why it is imperative for a shaman to remain invisible and to keep engaging in training that will allow him or her to shapeshift.
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