Shamanism and Possession

Shamanism and possession, though both involving ritual alterations of consciousness, differ in their experiential features: shamanic practices center on soul flight or out-of-body experiences where one's visual perspective separates from self and body, while possession episodes involve control by spirits and amnesia of the event, reflecting psychosocial dissociation. Cross-cultural studies show these differences are rooted in human nature. Both phenomena share biological features, however, in their elicitation of ancient brain systems that modify consciousness for healing and spiritual experiences.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Shamanism and possession are central concepts in the religious practices of many “premodern” societies, with substantial similarities manifested across cultures and time that reflect their basis in human nature. Shamans and possession both involve ritual alteration of consciousness but differences between them are illustrated by cross‐cultural studies and the distinctive experiential features associated with their respective activities. Shamans' characteristic alterations of consciousness involve soul flight, what modern psychology recognizes as out‐of‐body experiences that involve a separation of one's visual perspectives from self and body. Possession episodes differ in the experience of control by spirits and amnesia of the event, reflecting psychosocial features that produce dissociation. Shamanism and possession nonetheless share biological features in their elicitation of ancient brain systems to modify the consciousness in relation to healing and spiritual experiences.