Marika Candelaria - Week 3

 “Par Lor Story - the Journey Between Two Worlds” was a reading that caught my attention the most this week. Reading and analyzing the process of becoming a shaman and the intricate practice they do is an intriguing process to learn about. Pa Lor discusses her journey of becoming a shaman as a young adult. I thought her story was very surprising because she was lured to the spirit realm as a child. In the story, she mentions how she was first exposed to shamanism at age 10 or 11 because she was interested in it, but did not know what the future had in store for her. 

With lecture talking about the spirit realm and how it involves age and gender, this made me realize how age does not really play a strict role in this situation--it could happen to anyone at any time as long as you involve yourself and have a calling towards it. With Pa Lor, her new journey of shamanism began at a young age where she used to be a Christian. Her gift was given through five years of pain, but eventually ended up being able to heal people. With this reading, I realized that shamanism should not necessarily be feared or ignored if you are pulled towards it. As I grew up Catholic, I always believed these rituals were a sin. However, the readings changed my perspective to perceive shamanism as a helpful and giving method for people who are spiritually ill and who cannot get assistance from their doctors. 

One thing that has been on my mind throughout these readings is that I wonder if evil spirits are viewed the same as paranormal investigators who deal with possessions, such as Ed and Lorraine Warren who have dealt with several possessions through Catholicism.