Chapters 2 (Hughes) and Chapter 1& 2 (Walsh)

Chapter 2 of Altered States was really fascinating. I believe that most of the things that we (humans) do, revolves around our deep desire to make sense of our surroundings... to gain power over nature. It's easy to understand why our early ancestors called upon their recently deceased and no longer knowable ancestors to make sense of the unknown and the unforeseeable. Through an awakening of the senses, the Shamans were able to harness the "spirit force" for the benefit of the community. I believe in the ability of the Shamans (or specialist of the soul), because I believe in the power of the mind. According to Hughes, there is extensive ethnographic documentation of the powers that shamans possessed (including lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences and more).

In the beginning of Walsh's first chapter, he mentions the Western Cultures recent affinity toward non-western healing. In particular he mentions Jewish Kaballah (which I briefly mentioned in my last blog), Hindu and Taoist Yoga. Recently, I came across something in a text that focused on Mysticism and Yogic Meditation. Like Shamanism, Yoga is an ancient system of healing and living that has its own theories on altered states... which I think is worth mentioning. Yoga teaches that humans have a "third eye", which is the seat of human consciousness. Further, it is believed by many occult circles that it is the contact point between the mind and the spirit. The location of this third eye is believed to be in the pineal gland found at the base of the brain. This is interesting because modern science has concluded that there is indeed a relationship between this gland and human consciousness. Interestingly enough, this gland produces serotonin and melatonin. When an individual takes a hallucinogen such as LSD the natural flow of serotonin into the bloodstream is impeded, resulting in an altered state of consciousness. Indeed, the manipulation of this gland results in an awakening of the senses... an unveiling of the other side. Perhaps this omnipresent reality is within each of us, rather than outside of us. It's the piece of us that connects us to a greater consciousness. The collective consciousness, perhaps.

Hughes claims that Lennon (and many other musicians) was for all intents and purposes a shaman. I find this rather interesting. Though, I think it is kind of strange to compare musicians like Lennon to Shamans... but... I guess music heals, right?

Walsh completes the introduction on Shamanism with his comprehensive take on the topic. Walsh makes an interesting point— many studies on the topic of Shamanism have been "flawed by superficial interpretations". He also chided the Freudian Western School of thought that placed negative connotations on the practice. One of Walsh's most profound lines (in Chapter 2) is..."And I say this as a person who was a confirmed skeptic of all things spiritual, until I tried the practices myself."

We cannot forget this point in this class. In my life, I have believed that so many things were impossible... and then I come across a vetted text or individual or experience that proves me wrong. Before we dismiss things as fanciful or impossible, we might first listen....open our minds to these things that exist beyond our perception.

I am pumped to learn more about psychosomatic medicine (placebos perhaps), meditation and comparative religion, as it pertains to Shamanism of course. Happy Reading.