Shamanism’s Impact on Civilization and Healing

Explore the influence of shamanic traditions on the development of civilization, the origins of healing practices, and the transformation of shamans in modern society.
Shamanism and modern world Cover

Illustration "Urban" by Leonardo AI

Introduction

Shamanism, a spiritual practice that dates back to the prehistoric era, has long played a crucial role in the development of human civilization. It has shaped how we understand and interact with the world around us. Its traditions influence various aspects of modern life, from leadership to healing practices. This article will explore how shamanic traditions influenced the development of civilization, the origins of healing in shamanic rituals, and the transformation of the shaman into contemporary leaders, healers, scientists, and artists.

Shamanic Traditions and the Development of Civilization

Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice centered around the shaman, a person believed to possess unique abilities to access the spiritual world and heal the community. These abilities often stem from a shaman’s connection to nature and the spirits that inhabit it.

The role of the shaman in archaic societies was multifaceted. They served as healers, mediators, and spiritual guides, connecting the community to the spirit world and interpreting its messages. They provided essential guidance in health, spiritual well-being, and decision-making. The shaman’s ability to navigate the spiritual realm made them indispensable to their communities.

The influence of the shaman on the development of civilization traces back to the cultural and social structures of early human societies. As the spiritual leaders of their communities, shamans played a vital role in establishing societal norms and values. Their knowledge of the natural world and its connection to the spirit realm informed the development of rituals and religious beliefs that shaped the identity of these early societies.

Moreover, shamans were often the first to develop communication systems, such as writing, art, and storytelling. Their ability to convey complex spiritual concepts through symbolism laid the foundation for developing a written language, which would eventually become an essential tool for advancing human civilization.

Healing and Shamanic Rituals

The origins of healing practices can be traced back to the shamanic rituals of archaic societies. Shamans were responsible for their communities’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Their knowledge of the natural world allowed them to develop a deep understanding of the healing properties of plants, animals, and minerals.

Shamanic healing practices spread worldwide as human populations migrated and interacted with one another. As these practices evolved and diversified, they gave rise to various forms of traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda in India, traditional Chinese medicine, and the indigenous healing practices of Native American tribes.

The core principles of shamanic healing remain consistent across different cultures and traditions. These principles include the belief in a mind-body-spirit connection, using natural remedies, and the importance of ritual in the healing process. These tenets continue to inform modern healing practices, as evidenced by the growing interest in holistic and integrative medicine.

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The Healing Practice in Modern Societies

The influence of shamanic traditions on modern societies is evident in how healing practices have evolved and become integrated into contemporary life. The shamanic belief in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit has laid the groundwork for developing holistic healing modalities, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and energy healing.

Furthermore, the shamanic understanding of the power of ritual in the healing process has contributed to the development of modern psychotherapy, in which the therapeutic relationship itself serves as a form of ritual that facilitates the client’s healing process. Shamanic practices like drumming, chanting, and guided visualization continue to be used in various alternative and complementary medicine forms.

The Transformation of the Shaman

Over time, the role of the shaman has evolved and diversified, giving rise to contemporary leaders, healers, scientists, and artists who embody the core principles of shamanism. Modern shamans can be found in various fields, from traditional spiritual practitioners who continue to serve their communities scientists who explore the mysteries of the natural world, and artists who tap into the spiritual realm for inspiration and creative expression.

In leadership, the shaman’s role as a spiritual guide and mediator can be seen in contemporary visionaries and change-makers striving to create a more just and sustainable world. Like their shamanic predecessors, these leaders serve as bridges between different realms, connecting diverse cultures, ideas, and perspectives to pursue collective well-being.

Similarly, modern healers, such as therapists, counselors, and alternative medicine practitioners, embody the shamanic principles of interconnectedness, natural remedies, and the power of ritual in their work. They continue to address their clients’ and communities’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

In science, the shamanic drive to comprehend the mysteries of the natural world is evident in the work of researchers, biologists, and physicists who examine the complex interplay between humans, the environment, and the cosmos. Like their shamanic ancestors, they seek to uncover the hidden patterns and connections that govern the universe.

Lastly, contemporary artists, writers, and musicians often draw upon the shamanic tradition of accessing the spiritual realm for inspiration and guidance. Through their creative expression, they serve as conduits for the messages and wisdom of the spirit world, enriching the cultural fabric of our modern societies.

Conclusion

The influence of shamanic traditions on the development of civilization and healing practices is undeniable. From the spiritual guidance and healing rituals of archaic societies to the holistic medicine and creative expression of the modern world, the shamanic legacy continues to shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. By recognizing and honoring the wisdom of our shamanic ancestors, we can continue to learn, grow, and evolve as individuals and as a collective, fostering a more compassionate, balanced, and interconnected world.

References:

1. Eliade, M. (2004). Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton University Press. https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691210667/shamanism
2. Harner, M. (1990). The Way of the Shaman. HarperOne. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-way-of-the-shaman-michael-j-harner?variant=32205799952482
3. Krippner, S., & Rock, A. J. (2011). Demystifying Shamans and Their World: A Multidisciplinary Study. Imprint Academic. https://www.imprint.co.uk/product/demystifying-shamans-and-their-world/
4. Winkelman, M. (2010). Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing. Praeger. https://michaelwinkelman.com/2018/08/shamanism-a-biopsychosocial-paradigm-of-consciousness-and-healing/
5. Narby, J. (1999). The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge. TarcherPerigee. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/349746/the-cosmic-serpent-by-jeremy-narby/
6. Walsh, R. (2007). The World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition. Llewellyn Publications. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-12451-000

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FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

by ivan roca

GENERAL

Bioqr™ is bioenergy-assisted immune treatment. A therapist uses his own bio-electromagnetic field to stimulate the patient’s immune system in a nonspecific and specific way. The stimulated immune system responds and “heals” the patient.

Bioqr™ therapy is a bioenergy treatment first developed in Eastern-Europe in the late 1960s as a modern, secular approach to traditional hands-on healing methods with biological and physical reasoning. Later, the method crossed Eastern-Europe to ex-Yugoslavia in the late 1970s’ where it has merged with similar methodologies and has been researched and applied as a complementary medical intervention. The founder of Biotherapy Asia, Ivan Roca, adapted these methodologies and cleared it from the folklore and unnecessary procedures, techniques, and philosophies. Bioqr™ method is a purely medical, highly structured bioenergy system that can be easily applied in a clinical or non-formal environment. The name of the method is Bioqr™ – Human Bioenergy Therapy.

Bioenergy is the energy dynamic observed within living organisms. Also, it is a scientific name that tries to encompass a very broad interdisciplinary area of research into the energy of a living organism. “Bios” is an Ancient Greek word meaning life, and energy is another Ancient Greek word, meaning activity, but here it signifies potential and possibility. Bioenergy has nothing to do with concepts like bioplasma, Chi, Qi, Ki, Prana, Universal energy, Life energy or Orgon.

Yes, with an electromyography device (EMG).

EMG is an electrodiagnostic medicine technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electric potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are electrically or neurologically activated.

No. The therapy is successful even if a person does not believe in the biological effect of the immune system stimulation with the human bioenergy field, which is a result of ignorance and a lack of information.

The body response does not depend on our beliefs. It is an automatic and autonomic biological process.

A Bioqr™ therapist uses different hand positions and movements in combination with muscular tension and/or relaxation to stimulate the recipient’s immune system for his/her specific medical condition. Human endogenous bio-electromagnetic radiation interferes with the bioenergy processes of a diseased person to alter the metabolism and cause a body shock response that triggers the immune system activation in a specific and non-specific way.
Every movement has a different energetic signature so that the biotherapist can trigger an immune response in different tissues for different purposes. Immune response due to a “shock” to maintain homeostasis (check danger model of the immune system from Dr. Polly Matzinger), stimulates natural defenses.

A therapist uses muscular tension and relaxation to consciously send bioelectrical signaling (active potentials) of a higher or lower electromagnetic radiation intensity into the area of the hands. Propagation of the action potentials in the nerves and muscles produces a bio-electromagnetic field that radiates outside of the human body.

All the ‘manipulation’ processes occur automatically which is a completely natural process that is constantly taking place, but most of the time we are not aware of it. Bioenergy therapy is the application of natural energy processes and laws for awakening your own immune defenses, which due to a disharmonious way of life or due to some other factors (genetics, environment, etc.) become weakened or stop functioning entirely.

Learn HERE more.

Bioenergetics is the part of biochemistry concerned with the energy involved in making and breaking of chemical bonds in the molecules found in biological organisms. It can also be defined as the study of energy relationships and energy transformations and transductions in living organisms. The ability to harness energy from a variety of metabolic pathways is a property of all living organisms. Growth, development, anabolism, and catabolism are some of the central processes in the study of biological organisms because the role of energy is fundamental to such biological processes. Life is dependent on energy transformations; living organisms survive because of the exchange of energy between living tissues/ cells and the outside environment.

The essence of the biofield perspective is that a variety of endogenously generated electromagnetic and other fields act within and between multiple levels of biology, from molecular and cellular, through tissues and whole organisms to affect our personal and perhaps even our interpersonal functioning. The human body is a biofield.

Biofield science is an emerging field of study that aims to provide a scientific foundation for understanding the complex homeodynamic regulation of living systems. By furthering our scientific knowledge of the biofield, we arrive at a better understanding of the foundations of biology as well as the phenomena that have been described as “energy medicine.”
Biotherapy is biofield therapy.

Yes, bioenergy/energy therapy is nowadays practiced throughout the world and is called biofield therapy. New approaches in scientific research are slowly revealing the possible mechanism of bioenergy therapy. Many hospitals and medical centers are slowly starting to integrate bioenergy therapy to complement and support conventional medicine.

THERAPY

No, Bioqr™ therapy is complementary and supplementary to all other medical and ‘alternative’ therapies, even though, in many cases, it is much more successful and efficient. After therapy, you should not discontinue the medication or other treatments or medical procedures prescribed by your doctor. Only a biomedical check-up can confirm improvement and make further decisions in conjunction with the patient about continuing or discontinuing conventional medical treatment.

With groups of people, energy potentials multiply and “share” automatically. When in a group, it is easier to observe improvement during the therapy itself. It is also easier to exchange experiences. Group dynamics are an essential part of the subconscious work.

No! A natural energy process cannot be harmful in itself. Biotherapy is a noninvasive treatment without side-effects.

Yes, a diagnosis is necessary from a doctor. We do not diagnose.

No special preparation is needed. It is advisable to come at least 15 minutes before the beginning of therapy. It is desirable to free yourself from as many commitments as possible during the therapy days. Strong reactions during therapy are possible which can interfere with our everyday activities. It can be detrimental to the therapy if we are forced to rush off somewhere, or if we are not totally committed to the therapeutic process. Therapy cannot be beneficial if we are feeling pressured.

Depending on the individual, what is felt ranges from very powerful sensations to no sensation at all. Some people feel a tingling, burning or prickling sensation, coldness, draft, pressure, momentary relief, fatigue or drowsiness, uncontrollable laughter or crying, a floating sensation in the extremities, body movement, dizziness or vertigo. Whether or not a patient feels something during therapy, is not an indication of the success of the therapy, because everybody is unique and therefore they react in unique ways.

No, only a medical specialist can decide about discontinuing the medication. 

After 15 to 30 days, depending on the condition treated, one can expect results that can be objectively measured by means of clinical medicine. Sometimes in the first 15 days after therapy symptoms increase, or a sudden deterioration occurs, which is a crisis that signifies a strong bodily reaction to the intensified activities of a regenerated immune system.

Therapy can be repeated in consultation with a therapist and in accordance with other therapeutic forms that are applied.

Yes, but it is important for the patient to personally commit to the decision to stop drug or alcohol misuse.

All diseases can be treated successfully. With some diseases, the objective success will be complete recovery, while with others, symptoms of the disease will be alleviated, or the result will be greater independence for the patient or arrest the development of the disease, depending on a number of factors that are not directly related to Bioqr™ therapy. We don’t treat medical conditions with psychosis or contagious diseases.

Yes, except schizophrenia and other mental diseases with psychosis. Patients with mental diseases must be accompanied.

With genetic diseases, we can only maintain symptoms with treatments on a monthly or a bi-monthly basis.

Yes, children of any age can be treated.

Yes. If the patient is vulnerable or being cared for by somebody else, then they will need to be accompanied.

Yes, it is possible for educational or research purposes and if you accompany someone else for some objective medical reason.

There is no price enforced for the therapy. At the end of the therapy session, an anonymous donation is made to the therapist.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Bioqr™ therapy is not based around the traditional concepts of the Life Force or Life energy like Qi or Prana. These concepts belong to Vitalism which was dropped in biology almost 100 years ago. Traditional concepts of the Life Force don’t have any scientific evidence to support its existence. Also, modern biophysics, biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and genetics operate in a realm of the modern understanding of the world which is evidence-based knowledge. Qi, Prana, Pneuma and Life Force are spiritual concepts that are not biological or physical. The etymology of the words Qi, Prana, and Spirit is the same, the breath. 

No, we are based on a very modern approach to bioenergy therapy. Chakras and Auras don’t exist in a biological realm. They are only interesting mental concepts developed as a part of the New Age movement. To put it in a simple way, there is no Chakra and Aura as physical entities. They are just concepts.

Nothing in the classical sense where the healer is considered to be more spiritual than others. Medicine is a science of the mind, body and social well-being. Spirituality is a concept of the world that has many different faces and understandings. Medicine and spirituality are two completely different subjects. In some special cases, spiritual thinking can be beneficial for the patients, for example in hospice, pain management, palliative care, psychological work, etc.

No, this is a misconception that has roots in spiritism and animism. Energy is not bad or good. Energy is benevolent. Sometimes people use the word “energy” to express emotional states which are purely subjective and have nothing to do with term energy in modern physics.

Nothing, it is another misconception where a few psychological phenomena were thought to be the sixth sense. Unfortunately, humans don’t have magneto-receptors and electro-receptors beyond 5 senses which are developed due to our evolutionary needs to protect and survive.

No, anyone can do energy therapy. Healing is not a supernatural ‘special power’ that somebody possesses, but an application of knowledge and skills.