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Shamanism
practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they believe to be a spirit world / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shamanism is a practice where a practitioner reaches altered states of consciousness. Supposedly, the shaman perceives and interacts with a spirit world, and channels these energies into this world.[1]
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A shaman is a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and bad spirits. They usually enter into a trance state during a ritual, and do divination and healing.[2] To become a shaman, a person has to have had a near death experience (a "shamanic illness").[3]
The name "shaman" comes from the Evenki people in Siberia.[3]
Shamans play a central role in these movements, as they can be in both worlds, this one, and the world of spirits.