The Role of Imitation in Induction of Ritual Trance. A Neurocognitive Perspective Cover Image

Rola imitacji w indukowaniu transu rytualnego. Perspektywa neurokognitywna
The Role of Imitation in Induction of Ritual Trance. A Neurocognitive Perspective

Author(s): Jakub Bohuszewicz
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: induction of trance; shamanic trance state; role theory; mirror neuron system.

Summary/Abstract: A shamanic trance ritual begins with the introductory part, which can be defined as invocation of shamanic spirits. The formal structure of this invocation assumes playing a role, which in the practice of the ritual means imitation of the types of behaviour characterising a given spirit. Entering a trance is synonymous with the loss of the cognitive barrier dividing the persona of the shaman from the persona of the portrayed spirit; the shaman becomes the spirit. The conceptions of evolutionary psychologists are insufficient to explain this situation. The theoretical model proposed instead describes the transition from inductive actions to a trance state in terms of disinhibition of the system preventing repetition of an action recorded at the level of the mirror neurons.

  • Issue Year: 45/2012
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 227-235
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish
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