In some societies, religious rituals are performed by the members of the community. In some rituals, members would hire a religious specialist to cure someone who carries an illness. A shaman is classified as one of the following religion specialists. The term “shaman” has been used in different ways by different people. According to Rebecca L. Stein & Philip L. Stein, “the term shaman actually comes from the Tungus language of Central Siberia” (Stein & Stein, P. 120). “It refers to the religious specialists who use handheld drums and spirit helpers to help the members of their community by healing the sick, divining the future, and ensuring success in the hunt” (Stein & Stein P. 120). Members of these communities rely on shamanism to help and guide their health. However, doctors are very well known and popular when it comes to healing and providing treatments towards people in more modern societies. Doctors have went through many years of school to become highly educated whereas shamans are chosen by spirits to become a shaman. Some cultures continue to utilize the services of shamans rather than doctors. The belief of shamanism still exists in today’s world because of their style of healing practices, how shamans impacted many cultures, and why people from these cultures seek help from a shaman rather than a doctor. Shamans have their own types of healing techniques and practices that are rarely seen in modern societies.
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According to Ashvind N. Singh, “The healing power of the shamans is tied directly to their cultural belief in the spirits of the dead and in the living spirits of the world in which they live” (Singh, P. 132). This shows that shamans connect with the living spirits include not just humans and animals but everything that exists in the universe. It is stated that shamans use direct communication with these spirits to understand the knowledge hidden and have the tools for healing. This type of healing process is based on the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected. Therefore, human beings are seen as being one with the universe, and in balance with nature. Shamans have a different perspective when it comes to examining a person with a disease or illness. Their belief system towards diseases is a disruption in the balance of life. For example, “When there is imbalance, there is suffering and pain, either of the body or the mind, or both” (Singh, P. 132). It proves that the poor state of one’s health is caused by a negative spirit. This is important because shamans can see differently from doctors. For example, “Shamans in many cultures believe that the cause of many ailments can be traced to an imbalance or disharmony of specific spirits” (Singh, P. 133). In some cultures, people believe that an epilepsy is caused by an angry spirit, and that the spirit harms the following individual by draining the life force out of the individual, causing suffering and pain. It caused the following individual to have some sort of negative condition or a disease. This is significant because shamans are able to work with the individual to satisfy the angry spirit which can restore balance with nature. Thus, giving the individual an opportunity to be healed. In addition to medicinal plants and objects, spirituality is a cornerstone of the shamanic system. The concept of spirituality can have several meanings; however, within the aboriginal shaman system it usually refers to the life energy that flows among everything. When one aspect of this system
According to Ashvind N. Singh, “The healing power of the shamans is tied directly to their cultural belief in the spirits of the dead and in the living spirits of the world in which they live” (Singh, P. 132). This shows that shamans connect with the living spirits include not just humans and animals but everything that exists in the universe. It is stated that shamans use direct communication with these spirits to understand the knowledge hidden and have the tools for healing. This type of healing process is based on the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected. Therefore, human beings are seen as being one with the universe, and in balance with nature. Shamans have a different perspective when it comes to examining a person with a disease or illness. Their belief system towards diseases is a disruption in the balance of life. For example, “When there is imbalance, there is suffering and pain, either of the body or the mind, or both” (Singh, P. 132). It proves that the poor state of one’s health is caused by a negative spirit. This is important because shamans can see differently from doctors. For example, “Shamans in many cultures believe that the cause of many ailments can be traced to an imbalance or disharmony of specific spirits” (Singh, P. 133). In some cultures, people believe that an epilepsy is caused by an angry spirit, and that the spirit harms the following individual by draining the life force out of the individual, causing suffering and pain. It caused the following individual to have some sort of negative condition or a disease. This is significant because shamans are able to work with the individual to satisfy the angry spirit which can restore balance with nature. Thus, giving the individual an opportunity to be healed. In addition to medicinal plants and objects, spirituality is a cornerstone of the shamanic system. The concept of spirituality can have several meanings; however, within the aboriginal shaman system it usually refers to the life energy that flows among everything. When one aspect of this system