What is your definition of a Shaman? Do you consider yourself to be a Shaman?

Answer 1

a shaman, by definition, is "A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events." I would say that it has the be in a tribal context, because once you expand the definition to include post tribal religious positions (such as priests,) they cease to be identified as shaman in the popular definition.

And on that note, only the most depraved new age mystic would fancy themselves a shaman, since shamanism springs from the knowledge of a tribe that had a lesser understanding of the world than we, and typically have canon that involves illogical notions, such as flat earth theories, or ghosts and goblins.

A humorous example of modern shamanism in practice would be so the called "cargo cults" of the East Indies. These bush people observed the white men, operating airports, which recieved airplanes that delivered cargo from the civilized world. Their interpretation of this event was that the white men were praying to the gods, and the gods were rewarding their faith by sending cargo. So they began to mimic them, constructing dummy airports, and turning observances like using a radio, or directing a plane with glowing batons, into elaborate rituals. They awaited their savior, John Frump, who would come down on a great airplane, drive out the white man, and supply the bush people with an everlasting supply of cargo.

Answer 2

The modern shaman is the psychiatrist.

Answer 3

A Shaman is like a high priest or medicine man of a tribe.He is
both healer and seer for his people.He is all knowledgeable and wise.

Answer 4

a Shaman is a witchdoctor... I live in Mexico

Answer 5

A person from India, who is a spiritual person, who lives in a house and works out of his house. Trying to run a con( taking money) that takes advantage of innocent people looking for help to their problems.