Week 2 Christian Ho

Regarding this week’s theme about shamanism and its function, one should consider this to be a resource for therapy. Compared to that of doctors prescribing medicine to patients this seemed to be a healthier alternative to healing people with mental disorders. Instead of drugging people because they can perceive things different compared to others should not be subjugated to heavy medicine usage. There is one individual named John who uses prescription and therapy sessions to relieve him of his mental problems but with the introduction of the shamanism John himself feels more alleviated of his problems as he now participates in the temple along with the shamans. This could be seen in the article of the Par Lor story with individuals who embraced the ideas of shamanism and have become a better person out of it. As the main protagonist mentions, her actions do not harm anybody whatsoever and only aims to helping people out with their problems. Even though people might not get the help they need at least there was not harm done to anybody. While also inside the Fjelstad article there are claims stating that those who choose to participate with shamanism tend to live a better life in both physical and mentally.

One has to ask though is the idea of shamanism not sought out as much because of its stereotypes? Like why haven’t business expanded more on these types of therapy to help those in mental need?