Shamanism

Hughes-2
I find it valuable to include in the beginning of Hughes Chapter 2 "The Power," the cave paintings of early North Americans because, we can learn their stages of life and how it shapes us today. I was very interested in learning about the Shamans, one thing that drew my attention to their way of life was that their not by any means hurting people they are their to help them and help their community. In today's society it's very hard to find someone who is willing to help the poor or help anyone in need. I'm a firm believer in God, and I do believe you as an individual have the right to practice any belief you so desire to, I would never pin point or make statements about a persons life because I would not want them to make it about mine. I like to learn about other peoples culture and I do believe that is what we are doing as a class. Their are some things that I find hard for a human to do unto another human in a Shamanism like fashion, magical flight, controlling over the elements, superhuman strength and endurance, powers over animals, and power to heal humans that are sick, those are just a few that Hughes mentions. One thing that I have a question for is that Hughes mentions that Shamans like to subject themselves in their unconscious state to animals for health and they talk to them and give them references to heal others, but in other ways like Indians for example they worship the animal, so why don't the Shamans worship the animal they seek if the animal the seek tells the truth?

Shamanism Part I and II-
I will be honest I felt I learned more about the Shamans way of life in this book than the brief de scriptive view of Hughes Chapter 2. I learned that in order to perform powerful results from meditation or yoga you must rehearse the ritual for weeks or even months. Also what I found interesting was that the study of Shamanism contributes much to Psychology and I see that in forms of going into deep thought and preserving a hidden message in your thoughts. I was baffled that Walsh made the statement, " It is henceforth one of the accepted anthropological truths that Socrates was the last shaman and the first philosopher." What does he mean? Would the people who you see on TV that claim they can move objects with their eyes be called a Shaman, because Walsh states that Shamans are people who are classified as a "medicine man, witch doctor, sorcerers, wizards magicians, or seers." I find that the drug Ecstasy should not be taken because it can have great effects and can be additive, but Shamans use it so they can "soul flight" why can't they "soul flight" by means of meditation or beating of drums? In the second half of this reading some things I seen as Philosophical like the seven central practices. Living life to the fullest is a phrase I mention to alot of people and in terms means 1. living ethically 2. transforming emotions 3. redirecting motivation 4. training attention 5. refining awareness 6. cultivating wisdom 7. serving others. I find my self doing all seven 1.living a normal state of life with the resources I have before me 2. showing that I care about certain topics 3. directing a positive approach to a negative state 4. being alert to my surroundings 5. be aware of others feelings 6. show others my mistakes and help them not to make the same 7. do unto others as you have done unto yourself. The keys to emotional transformation can be helpful in situations such as breaking up with a boyfriend and learning to cope. Training attention can help me to revise a conflict with someone I strongly dislike and help me focus on the person who is best suited to be my friend. I learned that the mind games can be played and can hurt you too. Everyone can relate in some way to mind games for example young teenage love. You jump into something so far fetched and you realize it only broke your heart. I really enjoyed this reading cause it helped me learn how to deal with certain circumstances that I might face later down in life.