Touch and play—'spiritual attacks' in ayahuasca ceremonies
preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/uqxft
Summary
The article discusses a case of 'spiritual attack' experienced during Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies, which are often dismissed as imaginary. These attacks manifest as visions or sensations linked to perceived harmful interventions from external forces. They may reflect deep disagreements between individuals, and defenses against them could involve strategies for emotional stability and conflict resolution. This exploration aims to enhance understanding of this poorly documented phenomenon.
Study at a glance
| Population | individuals participating in Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Key finding | 'Spiritual attacks' may represent subjective mental experiences related to interpersonal conflicts and can be conceptualized as harmful external interventions. |
Abstract
This article describes a case of a 'spiritual attack' in the context of Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies. These attacks are often assumed to be imaginary, and there is relatively little information available about them. Specifically, there appears to be no documentation about possible mechanisms of action for these attacks. Subjectively, they typically appear as context-dependent visions or somatic sensations that represent disease-inducing or lethal interventions from an external hostile party. Such 'spiritual attacks' could tentatively be conceptualized as subjective mental representations of fundamental disagreements between two parties. 'Defenses' against these attacks might then consist of methods for maintaining stability and resolving the associated negative affects. This discussion could facilitate an improved understanding of this rarely documented, difficult-to-conceptualize phenomenon.