An application of Ricoeur's hermeneutic theory: Configuations of the shamanic in contemporary ayahuasca narratives
PRISM (University of Calgary) January 1, 2013 Matthew Koczkur
The thesis examines a new genre of literature called 'ayahuasca narratives', written by European and North American neo-shamanists who travel to Peru for ayahuasca tourism. Using Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic theory, the analysis explores how authors transform their ayahuasca experiences into narrative accounts. This process reveals how mestizo religious practices are represented as shamanic. The study argues that reading such narratives can influence readers' own lived experiences, shaping their understanding of indigenous traditions and personal healing.