Roles And Practices Of The Shaman In Indigenous Religions

Mid-Term Exam Essay Questions
The roles, callings, and practices of the Shaman in many Indigenous Religions. Are there any shamanistic practices in any of the other religions we have studied? If so, give examples and explain.
The Shaman is a man or woman who interacts with both spiritual and non-spiritual worlds. They do not use black magic or for their own self gain. Their role is to go to the spiritual world to gain knowledge and get the power to heal. They also communicate with the dead to settle unfinished issues and send the spirits gifts. Shamans do not choose to become shamans, they are chosen by the spirits. Some are called because it’s hereditary or they just have a special gift. Shamans practice use of Hallucinogenic drugs and plants, believing it will help them heal. They also practice singing, dancing, and fasting. There are shamanistic practices used in other religions. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, there are followers who still use practices of the shaman. Shaktism is sometimes considered a sect of Hinduism, various subsects of Shaivism tend to practice shaman practices. For example,
Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge, wisdom and contemplation. It involves exploration of nature. Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion, emotion, love and service to others. Karma yoga is the path of action, service to others, and mindfulness. Lastly, Raja yoga is the form of meditation and practice of mental concentration. In view of these paths, Hinduism can be described as a “have it your way” religion because it doesn’t have a unified belief. It doesn’t worship only one god or claim only one prophet. In fact, you don’t even have to believe in a god. You can be an atheist but still follow the guidelines of Hinduism. It’s considered a way of life and a religion. It’s the base to many denominations like Shaktism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism. This is also why it’s called the umbrella