The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity: A Cognitive Anthropological Perspective

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In The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity, H. Sidky examines shamanism as an ancient magico-religious, divinatory, medical, and psychotherapeutic tradition found in various parts of the world. Sidky uses first-hand ethnographic fieldwork and scientific theoretical work in archaeology, cognitive and evolutionary psychology, and neurotheology to explore the origins of shamanism, spirit beliefs, the evolution of human consciousness, and the origins of ritual behavior and religiosity.

Reviews

A masterful and much needed consideration of shamanism drawing on the latest findings in the cognitive sciences. Outstanding. -- William F. Romain, author of Shamans of the Lost World: A Cognitive Approach to the Prehistoric Religion of the Adena-Hopewell
H. Sidky is one of our best expositors of shamanism. His use in this new book of insights drawn from the cognitive science of religionthe most important theoretical approach we have for making sense of religionhas produced a significant advancement in our understanding of this immensely interesting expression of religious belief and practice. A compelling work. -- Todd Tremlin, Central Michigan University; author of Minds and Gods: The Cognitive Foundations of Religion
A lucid, scholarly treatment of shamanism and religion that applies cognitive science, anthropology and the author's fieldwork to major questions, such as when and how shamanism began, whether it reflects certain universal properties of the human mind, and whether it is the earliest kind of religion. Broadly based and plain-spoken, it is a major contribution to religious studies. -- Stewart Guthrie, Fordham University; author of Faces in the Clouds: A New Theory of Religion
This book is a well researched and clearly written portrayal of the anthropological evidence regarding shamanism. The experienced-centered approach allows insights into the processes by which shamanism originated. Anyone interested in this topic should have this book in their library. -- James McClenon, Elizabeth City State University
The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity is the most significant comprehensive presentation of shamanism as a worldwide spiritual practice since Mircea Eliades classic treatment over half a century ago. It offers a valuable anthropomorphic perspective on the origins of religious consciousness and mankinds attempt to interact with the numinous dimensions of reality. -- Carl A.P. Ruck, Boston University; author of Sacred Mushrooms: Secrets of Eleusis
The Origins of Shamanism is essential reading for anyone interested in shamans and their contributions to the evolution of human language, art, and consciousness. The author, Homayun Sidky, has framed his book in cutting edge data from cognitive neuroscience, providing a fresh yet authoritative perspective, one that is both informative and entertaining. He illustrates this transcultural approach with examples, many of them gleaned from his own extensive fieldwork. If you only have time to read one book about shamans and shamanism, this is the one I would recommend. -- Saybrook University, Co-author of Demystifying Shamans and Their World, Stanley Krippner

Author Bio

H. Sidky is professor of anthropology at Miami University.