This paper presents a psychiatrist’s perspective of Japanese Shamanism and healing. It has some good examples included.
- The writer claims the first documented record of possession-style shamanism in Japan was in the 3rd century (page S60).
- Describes three different forms of shamanic trance: ecstatic, possession and dreamlike (pageS59)
- Suggests Shamanism and Modern Health can play a role together (see our similar article >here<)
Schizophrenia and the shamanistic contribution to Treatment:
“Simply stated, the more it was viewed as pathological, the more tendency it showed towards alienation from society and the more serious it became in terms of its content as a disease. The case study illustrates the different types of results of different approaches to the treatment of persons in mental crises. The scientific approach labels the person as a mental patient, persona non grata, and treats him in isolation from the community. The shamanistic approach considers him a member of the community, evoking the worldview shared by people at the deepest levels. I believe that the reason for the prevalence of shamans all over Japan today lies precisely in the unsatisfactory nature of the scientific approach.”
Comment: “Our Naturistic Shamanic Tradition includes everything as a system and nothing should be isolated. Connecting and communing with an individual, you will see contributions from both their immediate environment and community, as well as the ancestral communities and Akashic environments. Things are not overlooked because they are not understood, instead, we go into them, include them, understand their roles, why they need to be too big or too small, to intrude, to stay hidden, what might be the trauma that is informing them and why this one is acting on that other’s energetic needs. This makes for the most meaningful healing journey for the person.” – Brad(Hinorayam)
The source article >here<
More reading:
AN INTRODUCTION TO SHAMANISM – Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-69536-7 – An Introduction to Shamanism
Thomas A. DuBois