11-06-2009, 12:00 AM
heres a pretty good wiki page on shamanism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism
As mentioned, a (debated) approach explains the etymology of word “shaman” as meaning “one who knows”.[53][54] Really, the shaman is a person who is an expert in keeping together the multiple codes through which this complex belief system appears, and has a comprehensive view on it in their mind with certainty of knowledge.[55] The shaman uses (and the audience understands) multiple codes. Shaman express meanings in many ways: verbally, musically, artistically, and in dance. Meanings may be manifested in objects, such as amulets
Psychedelic mushrooms
Cannabis
Tobacco
San Pedro cactus
Peyote[26]
Ayahuasca[43]
Cedar
Datura
Deadly nightshade
Fly agaric
Iboga
Morning glory
Sweetgrass
Sage
Salvia divinorum
Drumming
Dancing
Singing
Music
Icaros / Medicine Songs[43]
Vigils
Fasting
Sweat lodge
Vision quests
Mariri
Swordfighting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism
As mentioned, a (debated) approach explains the etymology of word “shaman” as meaning “one who knows”.[53][54] Really, the shaman is a person who is an expert in keeping together the multiple codes through which this complex belief system appears, and has a comprehensive view on it in their mind with certainty of knowledge.[55] The shaman uses (and the audience understands) multiple codes. Shaman express meanings in many ways: verbally, musically, artistically, and in dance. Meanings may be manifested in objects, such as amulets
Psychedelic mushrooms
Cannabis
Tobacco
San Pedro cactus
Peyote[26]
Ayahuasca[43]
Cedar
Datura
Deadly nightshade
Fly agaric
Iboga
Morning glory
Sweetgrass
Sage
Salvia divinorum
Drumming
Dancing
Singing
Music
Icaros / Medicine Songs[43]
Vigils
Fasting
Sweat lodge
Vision quests
Mariri
Swordfighting