initiated into their new existence. It is a existence betweenthis earthy realm, and that of the dead. An initiate of Shamanism goes through an significant transformation. As a result of the suffering, and rigorous training, the initiate experiences the death of his ego. In westernpsychology, the ego is the part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality,through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs actions (Websters434). This death is a way of cleansing the Shamans psyche, and allowing the id to take over.According to the Websters definition, the id is the part of the psyche that is regarded as thereservoir for instinctual drives, the source of psychic energy, and irrational wishing (Websters669). This would make sense because the Shaman taps into the instinctual knowledge, and thepsychic energy. This death is also significant because with this death of the ego all the societalnorms that inhibit the powers of the Shaman are gone as well. The Shaman does dwell on thefringes of society because society tends to diminish a shamans connection to the life forcewhich is so vital to their power.To be a Shaman requires an awareness of nature that is rarely found in our modernsociety today. Nature is where a Shamans power comes from. A Shaman is immersed in thenatural world; avoiding the more civilized aspect of society. To be disconnected from nature,is to be disconnected from their source of power. Modern civilizations have moved away fromnature, and have replaced it with science and technology. One of the shortcomings of our societytoday is that we are so seized by our daily routines that we have lost touch with the simple joysof living on this planet. Instead of sitting outside, and enjoying nature most people in the UnitedStates simply watch television. Therefore modern society contradicts the earthly realm of theShaman. Modern science and technology has an objective; which is to impro...
