The Nature of Shamanism: Substance and Function of a Religious Metaphor
Anthropology of Consciousness June 1, 1996 John R. Baker
Shamanism is examined as a universal human phenomenon, not merely a set of exotic practices. The book argues that shamanic traditions across cultures share a core structure rooted in the human psyche and religious metaphor. Shamanism functions as a means of accessing altered states of consciousness to address existential and communal needs. The author traces its substance through historical and cross-cultural evidence, proposing that shamanic experience underlies many religious systems. The work synthesizes anthropological, psychological, and philosophical perspectives to present shamanism as a fundamental expression of human spirituality.