Natalie Lortz Week 4
Karen Fjelstad's "'We have Len Dong too': Transnational Aspects of Spirit Possession" approaches animism in a very tangible way. Fjelstad delves into the practice of Len Dong and the implications of temple competition, materialism, accusations, and reputation. Since Len Dong is a spiritual ceremony that places large emphasis on the use of certain material objects such as costumes and spiritual offerings, the quality of these products is often critiqued by others within the community.She brings up multiple view points, but one argument seems to relate devotion with craftsmanship of such products. In this way, devotion is synonymous with financial wealth; a luxury not everyone is able to afford.
To me, this is an unfair assertion and excludes those of low socioeconomic status, which often means immigrants (depending on time period and ethnicity), from the realm of the "true spiritually devoted". It doesn't make sense and creates elitism in a space that is supposed to go beyond human made categories such as class, sex, ethnicity, etc. Money may run the physical realm but it should not and does not matter in the spirit realm. Spirits only read energies and intention and the rest (what costumes, alters, etc. look like) are just details that only humans can either see or place value on.
I've been privileged enough to live a very comfortable life in which I never had to question whether basic necessities would be provided to me. In addition, I've been privileged enough to see a spiritual healer more than once which I feel has honestly helped my spiritual growth at times. Further, I'm lucky enough to have my mom pay for these sessions. She doesn't like sharing financial details with me but I believe it is either $150 or $250 an hour. Though I am grateful for this blessing, I can't help but wonder about those who are also in need of spiritual guidance, or perhaps even more in need of spiritual guidance than I am. Too often, people aren't allowed to get counseling that could honestly help them because of money. It's sad that a practice that goes beyond the physical realm is still tied to the most toxic parts of it: capitalism and greed.
To me, this is an unfair assertion and excludes those of low socioeconomic status, which often means immigrants (depending on time period and ethnicity), from the realm of the "true spiritually devoted". It doesn't make sense and creates elitism in a space that is supposed to go beyond human made categories such as class, sex, ethnicity, etc. Money may run the physical realm but it should not and does not matter in the spirit realm. Spirits only read energies and intention and the rest (what costumes, alters, etc. look like) are just details that only humans can either see or place value on.
I've been privileged enough to live a very comfortable life in which I never had to question whether basic necessities would be provided to me. In addition, I've been privileged enough to see a spiritual healer more than once which I feel has honestly helped my spiritual growth at times. Further, I'm lucky enough to have my mom pay for these sessions. She doesn't like sharing financial details with me but I believe it is either $150 or $250 an hour. Though I am grateful for this blessing, I can't help but wonder about those who are also in need of spiritual guidance, or perhaps even more in need of spiritual guidance than I am. Too often, people aren't allowed to get counseling that could honestly help them because of money. It's sad that a practice that goes beyond the physical realm is still tied to the most toxic parts of it: capitalism and greed.
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