Expanding Western Definitions of Shamanism: A Conversation with Stephan Beyer, Stanley Krippner, and Hillary S. Webb
Anthropology of Consciousness May 1, 2013 Hillary S. Webb 25 citations
A conversation among three researchers examines the Western world's intellectual and spiritual engagement with shamanic practices, questioning how Western biases and philosophical assumptions have shaped both the study and practice of shamanism. They consider whether the umbrella term "shamanism" remains useful for describing diverse cross-cultural practices, and explore the ethical responsibilities of researchers and spiritual seekers. The discussion focuses on the language used to describe techniques and practitioners, the evolving relationship between researchers and cultural participants, and the implications of merging distinct worldviews.