Re: Shamanism its practical challenges and limitations,in a modern world

Vairagi, I am in no way trying to be dismissive or disrespectful of Shamanism. To believe that Newtonian branch of physics explains every thing there is to know would be shortsighted. I am a very practical person. I see the larger picture as well as the details. The smaller is often a microcosm of the larger. The small details go into making life run a little smoother. To use an analogy; Suppose I was building a house, I would first see in my mind's eye a picture of what the house would look like. In order to move to the production phase I would then need details in the form of architectural drawings, bill of quantities etc, without which the results may be erratic. Similarly I am saying that since Shamanism is probably the oldest religion in the world, and problems that I have seen on this forum would obviously have been occuring for centuries, then in the same way that we who follow the "Newtonian understanding" of the world, as you would put it, are familiar with hygeinic practice to avoid being contaminated with parasites, and should we become contaminated how to rid the body of them, or who to go to. Similarly people who in the practice of Shamanism encounter "demonic parasites" should have the knowledge to deal with it at their finger tips. Surely in the interest of survival such knowledge should be disseminated as basic training. I don't have to know because I am not a Shaman, but before every Shaman takes his first 'journey' shouln't he or she be equipped? Would you send your son to climb the Andes without company and a survival kit?
What disturbed me about some of posts, (more than one member), is that people seem to be practising this religion with no safety net at the risk of their sanity. Little preparation for the known hazzards of the trade, no expert trouble shooters and no physical community support, seem like walking a tightrope, and that is a reality whether you view it from the physical,or spiritual viewpoint. In order for a practioner to be helpful to others he has to be healthy enough to be functional.
My question is, are there oversight committees, and experts that practioners can be referred to, and better still are people fully appraised of the hazzards and do trainers teach students what to do in the event of such traumas occuring? Tweet