Principles and methods of shamanic healing

Abstract

Shamanism is the world’s most ancient and enduring healing tradition, and for thousands of years shamans have functioned as tribal physicians, psychotherapists, ritualists, and spiritual practitioners. They were the first to develop a systematic “technology of transcendence” for inducing altered states of consciousness, and to use these states to acquire information and power in order to help and heal. In addition, they use physical, psychological, and group techniques and rituals to aid in diagnosis and healing. Some of these practices are precursors of contemporary therapeutic practices.