Week 2 -- Kimberly Pariyavanh

Both Pa Lor's story and the article by Fjelstad and Maiffret shed a positive light on individuals who are mediums or spirit healers. I think there is a stigma against people who have this ability because others may not believe it since they cannot experience it for themselves. Also, it seems that many people, at least in the United States, do not believe in the spirit realm. I thought both readings showed the progression of these individuals coming into their abilities in a way that was meaningful and also informative. I always thought that those who have a connection to the spirit realm were born with the ability and learned to navigate it at a young age. In the articles it is explained that these individuals did not know about their abilities until they were older. I also found it interesting that before being able to connect to the spirit realm, they had to experience many obstacles and hardships.

            I thought Pa's last comment of "I think [shaman is] our way of life. When you take shaman away from the Hmong culture, you're not going to have much" (The Pa Lor Story). This quote made me think of how much religion can be shaped and is altered to fit the context of the culture. Different groups can practice the same religion, but they are not really doing the same things as the religion has been accommodated to their culture. I always assumed that religions are practiced in their oldest, original form because that is the way that people feel that it should be done, but after reading Pa's statement, I wonder is religion fluid and how is something that is considered sacred be changed in a respectful manner?

This tunnel photo reminded me of the hardships that these spirit healers and mediums had to go through before realizing and accepting their gifts.

References

"The Pa Lor Story ‐ The Journey between two Worlds." Txhawb - California Asian Directory : Stories. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.