Run Away Imagination and Shamanic Healing

I remember, quite long ago, in a class (though which I do not know, save that it was 7th grade or higher. I think it was Health), there was a chapter pertaining to various mental disorders, among them mentioned Schizophrenia. It was then that four pictures were shown, each painted by an artist slowly slipping into a state of schizophrenia. The first was of a cat; the picture itself was quite cute and very normal. In the second, the cat had taken on a somewhat human expression of deviousness. The third showed the cat as quite demonic. The fourth and final painting was near-unrecognizable, save that the faint outline of a demonic cat, which was more resembling that of a spectral, terrifying caracal than a cute house cat. While reading the Hughes chapter, I was reminded of these pictures (if anyone has seen the textbook with these pictures, or the pictures themselves, please let me know!). Indeed, creativity can and does come to us during our times of deep sickness. Perhaps it is due to the lack of connection that results from sickness, and the loss of ties with standard conventions and perceptions of reality. While it is indeed a shame that there are those that suffer from such ailments, they are, in their own way, a blessing in disguise. At least, for those that are able to express their creative work.

The Walsh reading, for me, was more of a review of standard Shamanic practices, as well as some of the criticisms. I am already quite willing to accept Shamanism as a practice that is not to be demonized, but this chapter was for those who still doubt the power of these ASOCs, defending that Shamans may not always be successful, but neither are today's established doctors.