| Shamanism to some is a system of beliefs. | | | | anyone one of the primitives do - also |
| However, the goals of a Shaman are very | | | | qualifies as barbaric. Meditation does |
| individualized. Joseph Campbell describes in | | | | originate from Shamans - the primitives. |
| his survey of Shamanism in his book Primitive | | | | |
| Mythology, as people who had a direct | | | | Now we know that meditation is powerful. For |
| experience of power, or of understanding, | | | | example check out this article from Time |
| which gave them power. | | | | Magazine . |
| | | | |
| Given the structure of the tribe, or any | | | | So now the perspective that meditation is a |
| human society, there is an understanding of | | | | barbaric practice of un-civilized savages |
| who is in power and how that power has to be | | | | cannot be held by any rational human being. |
| respected. Often a Shaman develops tricks to | | | | As meditation has been shown to increase |
| scare the hunter or villager to keep them | | | | memory, focus, ability to concentrate, i.e. |
| from harming them with their greater numbers. | | | | the very modes of consciousness we associate |
| A Shaman kept his freedom and administered | | | | with intelligence. The Shamans were the first |
| authority by the social respect and the use | | | | individuals involved in personal development |
| of abilities that were observable AND by | | | | and intelligence enhancement. |
| using 'tricks' to keep the more violent | | | | |
| people at bay. | | | | Meditation can be traced back to before the |
| | | | Aryan invasion of India which is supposed to |
| A Shaman, by means of his insights, is able | | | | have brought India it's 'High civilization". |
| to help people heal. By means of his 'tricks' | | | | In the Indus Valley cities made of stone, |
| he can make people use the power of belief | | | | with modern style sewage system and bath |
| and faith to heal. He may use devices to help | | | | houses were found. Dating back to before 2500 |
| him/her attain the desired goal. But this | | | | B.C. There are no signs of development...i.e. |
| doesn't mean that the devices are primitive | | | | the cities were built from plans. Like |
| in themselves. This has more to do with a | | | | colonies by the Europeans in the America's. |
| perspective on technology that it does on | | | | So they were colonies themselves. Their |
| what is actually used. | | | | writing hasn't been interpreted so no one |
| | | | knows from where these people arrived. But |
| Or the Shaman may have warrior inclinations. | | | | they were an urban civilization in every |
| A seeker after 'truth and understanding'. | | | | sense of the word. |
| Often, manifested as a traveling Shaman who | | | | |
| goes from village to village learning from | | | | But the best part? The lotus position of |
| many Shaman's different techniques and | | | | sitting popularized by Patajali's Yoga in 500 |
| perspectives. All these techniques together | | | | B.C. was already well known in this 'Indus |
| is 'The Art Of Shamanism'. | | | | Valley' civilization. There is even a seal |
| | | | dated 2000 B.C. from this city showing a |
| There is some debate on the age of shamanism. | | | | person in the meditative lotus position. |
| | | | |
| Since 'primitive' cultures are considered, | | | | In other words, Yogic techniques were already |
| well, primitive, they also are not respected | | | | an intrinsic part of this culture 1500 years |
| as intelligent humans. Instead they are seen | | | | before the Yogic System we know today was |
| as 'savages' which is a remnant of the | | | | created. |
| Victorian perspective of anyone who is NOT a | | | | |
| part of their culture. | | | | Essentially, a bunch of shamanic techniques, |
| | | | passed down through the ages, was already a |
| The sort of intolerance that sees primitives | | | | part of local mythology in India 2000 years |
| as savages is a very common thing in | | | | before recorded history begins in this |
| 'civilized' culture. However, a primitive | | | | region. (taking into account we still can't |
| savage is more likely to be considerate and | | | | translate the seals). These techniques were |
| give the new person the benefit of doubt | | | | complied into a system by Pantajali which |
| that, 'yes, this could be an intelligent | | | | comes down to us now as the ancient system of |
| human being just from a different culture so | | | | Yoga. |
| they look different'. The fact that our | | | | |
| 'civilization' is savage while the 'savages' | | | | Shamanism - or rather s group of shamans from |
| are civil is one of the great ironies of | | | | ages past - is the source of the powerful |
| history. | | | | meditative and physical techniques that have |
| | | | been passed down to us through India now |
| Since primitives are 'savages' any sort of | | | | known as Yoga. |
| medicinal practice or meditational practice | | | | |