Qian Zhang - Week 4

Week 4 Topic: Spirits Everywhere: Animism and Modern Interpretations

Article: “We have Len Dong Too: Transnational Aspects of Spirit Possession”

Global pandemics like the corona virus alter the physical and spiritual lives of people. Spiritualists no longer visit Churches and places of worship to seek divine intervention. Such fear only distances humans from spiritual beings who might be testing our beliefs. In tragic times, such as these, spirits know that people base their reactions on the limits and assumptions of human knowledge. The article by Fjelstad and Hien discusses the history of len dong festivals and the effects of various drastic policies like don moi on spiritual practice. The restriction of religious rituals and traditions by humans may be the cause of the misfortunes affecting the world today.

Since the len dong ritual was introduced in America by spiritual mediums, believers have religiously observed it as they had done in Vietnam. However, as noted in the article, the ceremony faces some unforeseen challenges which threaten its practice in both countries. Fjelstad and Hien argue that the rituals exhibit materialism and commodification, which have overtaken the aspect of spirituality.

Question:

What are connections between spirit possession and the concepts of personhood and intentionality?

Work Cited

Fjelstad, Karen, and Nguyen T. Hien. "We have Len Dong Too: Transnational Aspects of Spirit Possession." Possessed by the Spirits, 2018, pp. 95-110.