The Nature of Shamanism: Substance and Function of a Religious Metaphor
Anthropology of Consciousness June 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1525/ac.1996.7.2.28
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractShamanism 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Shamanism is a universal, structurally consistent phenomenon rooted in human psychology and religious metaphor, functioning to address existential needs through altered states of consciousness. |
Abstract
The Nature of Shamanism: Substance and Function of. Religious Metaphor. Michael Ripinsky‐Naxon. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993. xi. 289 pp. $19.95 (paper). $59.50 (cloth).