
Dr. David Gordon Wilson's talk from the 29th of May on 'Why is Spiritualism a Shamanism, and what does Foucault have to do with it?' is now available to listen online at:
http://anthreligconsc.weebly.com/lecture-archive.html
This presentation demonstrates that Spiritualism is best understood as a traditional shamanism, as distinct from contemporary appropriations or neo-shamanisms. He argues that shamanism is the outcome of an apprenticeship in the management of psychic experiences, and which follows the same pattern as that of the apprentice medium. In doing so, Wilson offers fresh insights into the mechanisms that are key to sustaining mediumship as a social institution.
http://anthreligconsc.weebly.com/lecture-archive.html
This presentation demonstrates that Spiritualism is best understood as a traditional shamanism, as distinct from contemporary appropriations or neo-shamanisms. He argues that shamanism is the outcome of an apprenticeship in the management of psychic experiences, and which follows the same pattern as that of the apprentice medium. In doing so, Wilson offers fresh insights into the mechanisms that are key to sustaining mediumship as a social institution.