Shamanism conceptualises mind and body differently from in the manner of Descartes.
In shamanistic practice, mind and body are one -- since the body is the instrument which one uses to investigate reality. Yet, conceptually for shamanism, there is a physical world and a mental world, which are in a dialectical relationship with each other. The apparent contradiction of these two postulates is partly resolved by understanding the shaman's body is in fact a "bridge" between the realms of ordinary and non-ordinary reality. That is, from the perspective of the body, the mind and body are one, but from the perspective of the mind, the mind and body are in dialectical relationship.
The body has access to a broader range of perceptions than the rational mind does, but the mind draws its inspiration from the body, and on the basis of that determines what is to be its overarching intent. Thus an ontological unity is assumed, but a practical division of labour is also maintained, between the mind and body.
It is in this sense that the shaman straddles "two worlds".
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
Perhaps even the majority of people absolutely have a reading and perception problem or just want to be something they are not. I just rec...
-
Wouldn’t a Matriarchal Society Be Great? | Clarissa's Blog It's very bizarre essentialism. The 19th Century European notion -- or ...
No comments:
Post a Comment