Shamanism

Shamanism

Final Essay

Judith G. Wolf, Ph.D.

In his final lecture entitled "Conclusions," with its 53 references, the author, Bishop Pat,  states that "Researchers have concluded that even after five hundred years of reports of shamanism, its core remains a mystery."  What I wonder does he mean by core.  This is troubling especially since Bishop Pat has spent the previous 19 lessons presenting every conceivable detail about shamans from so many cultures. We have learned about their journeys to retrieve souls, the variety of accessories they have including masks, drums and ornamentation, which vary by cultures.  We have learned of the many, many cultures in which shamans reside, of their histories and their differences.  This is an incredibly in depth course which presents Shamanism from every conceivable aspect.  How then does the core elude us.  Are they any more a mystery than a holy man who prays for the world with great results, or a medium who goes into an alpha state to communicate with the beyond.  In some ways the shaman is easier to understand then the later.  We can understand the healer and the worshiper. We can understand the use of hallucinating aids to "trip" into a spirit state.  What mystery is so beyond us. Perhaps because the author is a Shaman, he supports this conclusion.  But because he IS a Shaman, I would think he would understand it better than anyone.

That being said, I would recommend this course to anyone who would like to know everything that is currently known about Shamanism.  If it is not covered in the course, there are myriad references.

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar