The Visionary Experience in North American Shamanism

Summary

Many traditional Native American cultures socially endorse visionary experiences, particularly in shamanism. The abstract discusses how these experiences are utilized and suggests that induction techniques used to achieve visionary states for shamanic power may negatively impact a shaman's abilities over time.

Study at a glance

Abstract

One unique feature found in many of the traditional Native American cultures in North America is that they socially sanction visionary experiences in individuals. How the visionary experience is used in these cultures and, in particular, in shamanism, is discussed. It is suggested that the process of using induction techniques for visionary experiences, in order to acquire shamanic power, may over time have an adverse affect on the shaman's ability.