This analysis compares two South American shamanic traditions using Foucault's concept of technologies of the self. The Qom/Toba indigenous shamanism in Argentina's Chaco region and the Brazilian ayahuasca religion Santo Daime each create ontological thresholds through specific self-practices that challenge Christian and scientific worldviews. Historical context of Argentine and Brazilian socio-religious fields frames these shamanisms. Ethnographic data highlights how both traditions develop technologies of the self to achieve direct connection with the numinous, contesting assumptions about dominant worldviews.
The book explores how ayahuasca, a psychoactive Amazonian brew, has been transformed from an indigenous ritual substance into a global phenomenon. It examines the ways modern practitioners—including spiritual seekers, artists, and scientists—interpret ayahuasca visions as sources of personal insight, healing, and creativity. The work argues that these wondrous visions are shaped by contemporary cultural and technological contexts, reflecting modern anxieties and desires. Through ethnographic research, the author shows how ayahuasca ceremonies in urban settings blend traditional practices with new age and scientific frameworks, creating a complex global culture around the brew.
Blair Stonechild's book argues that Indigenous wisdom offers a necessary corrective to the destructive trajectory of modern civilization, which is marked by environmental degradation and social inequality. Drawing on Indigenous philosophies and traditions, Stonechild proposes that integrating values such as respect for nature, community, and spirituality can guide humanity toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The work challenges the assumptions of Western civilization and presents Indigenous knowledge as a vital resource for addressing contemporary global crises.