The Siberian Shaman’s technique of ecstasy

Summary

Shamanic ecstasy involves changes in body image, a weakened grip on reality, and reduced self-control, sometimes leading the shaman to identify with supranormal authority. These features align with typical marks of altered states of consciousness. Feelings of depersonalization and transcendence can fuel cosmic journey fantasies, which are central to the mind-body schism in shamanic tradition. The shamanic technique of ecstasy differs from other ecstatic practices through its ritual role-taking aimed at spirit-helpers. Using darkened rooms and intensified drumming, the shaman replaces ordinary reality with a tradition-based world of supranormal beings and follows a set pattern of spirit roles.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Changes in the field of observation and body image, attenuated grasp of reality and self-control, which may lead to identification with authority in the case of the shaman with supranormal powers, are all identifying features of shamanic ecstasy. It also appears that some of the basic elements of the shamanic tradition can be explained on the basis of typical marks of identification of altered states of consciousness. A sense of depersonalization and transcendence may in itself act as an impetus to cosmic journey fantasies. Without doubt, such feelings are at the very heart of the tradition containing the schism between mind and body. Thus, by placing the shamanic technique of ecstasy beside parallel modes of behaviour, possibly of different cultural background, we discover the guide lines for analysing its basic psychophysical properties. When studying a phenomenon such as shamanism, where the method of inducing trance is marked by the occurrence of certain common features and whose culturally-bound meaning and social function are, broadly speaking, uniform, we may assume that despite individual variation the basic mechanism of the technique of ecstasy may be delineated. What, then, is the ideal process of the shamanic trance technique? What factors exert particular pressure on the behaviour of the shaman? Shamanic practice differ from other means of attaining ecstasy with its emphasis on the ritual role-taking technique aimed at the supranormal counter-roles, the "spirit-helpers". The shaman's generalized reality orientation is cut off by means of suitable ritual requisites, the extinguishing of the lights and the noise of intensified drumming. Its place is taken by special orientation, a world created by the shamanic tradition, fantasies of supranormal beings and their dwelling places. The shaman actualises one spirit role after another according to a set pattern.

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