Question

Does shamanism or the concept of transformation have any merits in the modern healthcare delivery approach?

Answer 1

One of the traditional ways of healing which has been practiced since ancient times is Shamanism. This practice is rooted deep in small communities and tribal societies that lived a pre-modern life primarily.

Shamanism is a practice which involve the practitioner reaching altered state of consciousness in order to interact with spirit world and solve problems, treat ailments, find solutions to problems and finding answers to unsolved questions.

A shaman is someone who is regarded as a priest who enters into the trance state during a ritual, practice divinition or healing.a shaman suffers through sickness which brings her to the brink of death and near death experience. This enables the shaman to understand sickness and suffering and also cross over the underworld that transforms the young individual into a wounded healer.

A shaman believes that physical ailments is caused due to spiritual imbalance. Increasing spirituality helps in more contended, meaningful and happier living. In our modern world, due to increasing stress and complexity in the society, there is a decreasing spirituality which influences mind body relationship ultimately leading to health issues and disease conditions. Modern healthcare delivery approach can adopt shamanism as aid in helping the healing process. Shamanism is not a religion but a way of living emphasizing on increasing spiritual growth which will help in resolving many ailments. Shamanism doesn't enforce particular ritual or practice but consider that every thing in the world is living and we need to communicate with them to solve problems or heal health issues. It does have merits of fastening the healing process by improving the mind body relationship. It can act as a catalyst in improving the way of living, find deeper meaning to life, making life happier and spiritual.