When I say “Sha!,” you say “Man!” “Sha!” “Man!” “Sha!” “Man!”…let’s break it down…..

I think the main focus here is the actual woman or man, and their relationship to people, or at least the community in which they coexist. I really see it going two ways. On one side, the shaman is someone so ingrained in a transformative state of mind and so in tune with their surroundings, they can’t help but influence and affect those around them. As we discussed in class, sometimes what can be most powerful is that which we surrender our state of mind to, and likewise those who are seeking deliverance should look no further than the all seeing eye of the shaman.

On the other hand, I feel the idea and personification of a shaman not only delves into the religious aspect but takes it one step further by saying “You want a savior, then reach out and touch him!” The break from Western ideals seems to take a step back by placing the focus on an outer being instead of the inner being. When Walsh references yoga and meditation as “non-Western healing and spiritual practices,” he fails to show a correlation that connects them to shamanism. If yoga and meditation are so powerful, why would we even need a shaman? Furthermore, he doesn’t present dissimilarity between shamanism and your average Christian evangelist.

As far as altered states are concerned, I am bothered by the need for psychedelic drugs in shamanistic culture. If these beings are so in tune with another world, the need for mind altering drugs should seem palpable in comparison to “the ability to use supernatural powers inherent in nature.” Hughes also states that the shaman “receives special knowledge, as well as powers of healing, prediction and dream interpretation, and may acquire the power of magical flight.” Now for me, this seems like superhero material, but why then does the shaman still need to pop those magic mushrooms to take off??? Any person can take magic mushrooms and experience intense trips. You may write about it on your blog (shout out!) or tell people how you drank from a golden toilet filled with champagne. What that does not qualify you to be, however, is a plumber, or a shaman for that matter. I know Hughes stated that experience is the prime determinant; however, experience does not always bring about nuance, but repetition in most cases. People for centuries could be stunted by the same tired doctrines, as they are in the West. Just because something is non-Western does not mean it is pro-Power -to-the People. What I am trying to get across is that it is very precarious and outright dangerous to put your faith in the one person, knowing full well as a human being that everyone has their own agenda.

On another note, I just wanted to say I am appalled by Joseph Beuys actions regarding the coyote and the exhibition he undertook. Anyone who calls themselves a shaman would not contain a wild animal for a week, nor would they exploit that animal for the purpose of “art.” I am not saying the animal was mistreated (I have no way of knowing either way) but I feel it is fundamental as human beings to respect animals as equal inhabitants of the Earth and not impose our ideological whims at their expense.