ve, and ultimatelydefeat nature. Nature is viewed as the enemy. This is where the contradiction between civilizedsociety, and the Shaman resides. Modern society fears death, and tries to defy it with the help ofmedical technology. Modern science has created an artificial world which relies little on nature,and more on materialistic vices. In the eyes of a Shaman, modern societies are sick with falseharmony. A Shaman turns away from materialism for it seems trite, and inappropriate to them(Kalweit 242). A Shaman is knows death, and is comfortable with it. They would be horrified towalk into a typical hospital in the United States, and see a person being kept alive by machines. Ithink it would seem most cruel to a Shaman. Other interesting contradiction is modern societysfixation on time. Here in the United States we all follow schedules based on time of day, andhave obsessions with past, present, and future events. A Shaman, on the other hand, transcendsboth time, and space; their world is without the concept of continuous time. So it would seemsthat the Shamans world, and that of modern society have very little in common.Although a Shaman could not flourish in modern societies like the United States, therewould be lost spirits that could use some guidance. I believe there are many people living in theUnited States that have a growing feeling of emptiness. With all the modern conveniences, theystill are unhappy, even depressed. I think a Shaman could help some of these people. A Shamancould prescribe the simple, but necessary medicine to heal their sick souls. These people need tofeel the connection with nature, and all things. To feel apart of something that they had lost, andto take their place in this unity of life. In the United States today, life can be so overwhelming, and chaotic. In order to survivein this modern society, we must conform to its standards. These standards restrict, and depriveus in many ways. We must work in order...
