3.01.2011

shamanisim: archaic techniques of ecstasy -- mircea eliade


this is a must have book if you've ever been interested in shamanism. i haven't read it all the way through yet but it is one of the most interesting non fiction reads i've had yet. shaman myths are some of the most fantastical/psychedelic stories, and i think they provide a lot of insight if you are the type to embark on psychedelic journeys yourself. it was written by religious historian mircea eliade and first published in 1951. its written like a history book and its not new agey if that sort of thing turns you off and it's also not a book of prayers and spells. it follows different shamans from north, central, and south asia, to north and south america. some chapter titles are: "initiatory sickness and dreams", "obtaining shamanic powers", "parallel myths, symbols, and rites."

to be honest, i feel like the creators of xavier: renegade angel studied this book and took a lot of shaman myth imagery out of it and it makes the show that much mind twisting.

8 comments:

  1. looks good, going to give it a try

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  2. cool review - will check it out

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  3. Congrats on being the only person that guessed stapler correctly! ;)

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  4. I love Xavier: renegade angel. Do you know if they're gonna release any new seasons soon?

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  5. My father reads these types of books; like from Carlos Castaneda.

    I've never been into shamanism, but I've always admired their ability to look into themselves and get answers that way.

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  6. Maybe I'll give it a try, it sure sounds interesting

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  7. I'm a fan of Mircea Eliade and Joseph Cambpell and their works on religious mythology. Smart fellows and giants in religious studies.

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  8. very interesting, ill check this one out

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