Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity - by H Sidky (Hardcover)

About the Book

In The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity, H. Sidky uses firsthand ethnographic fieldwork and scientific theoretical work in archaeology, psychology, and neurotheology to explore the origins of shamanism, spirit beliefs, the evolution of human consciousness, ...

Book Synopsis

In The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity, H. Sidky uses firsthand ethnographic fieldwork and scientific theoretical work in archaeology, psychology, and neurotheology to explore the origins of shamanism, spirit beliefs, the evolution of human consciousness, and the origins of ritual behavior and religiosity.

Review Quotes

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.

H. Sidky is one of our best expositors of shamanism. His use in this new book of insights drawn from the cognitive science of religion--the most important theoretical approach we have for making sense of religion--has produced a significant advancement in our understanding of this immensely interesting expression of religious belief and practice. A compelling work.

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.

The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity is the most significant comprehensive presentation of shamanism as a worldwide spiritual practice since Mircea Eliade's classic treatment over half a century ago. It offers a valuable anthropomorphic perspective on the origins of religious consciousness and mankind's attempt to interact with the numinous dimensions of reality.

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.

A masterful and much needed consideration of shamanism drawing on the latest findings in the cognitive sciences. Outstanding.

About the Author

H. Sidky is professor of anthropology at Miami University.