RUNNING HEAD: THE SHAMAN’S ASC A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY INTO THE NORTH AMERICAN SHAMAN’S EXPERIENCE OF THE ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS ROBERT ANDERSON Thesis submitted to the University of Saint Paul in partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy School of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Counselling Faculty of Human Sciences and Philosophy Saint Paul University © Robert Anderson, Ottawa, Canada, 2019 Keywords: experience of shaman, altered states of consciousness, perception THE SHAMAN’S ASC i COMMITTEE MEMBERS Committee Chair: Dr. Judith Malette Full Professor: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality Saint Paul University Internal-Internal evaluator-committee Member: Dr. Martin Rovers Full Professor: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality Saint Paul University Internal-Internal evaluator-committee Member: Dr. Cynthia Bilodeau Associate Professor: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality Saint Paul University Internal-External evaluator-committee Member: Dr Lorraine Ste-Marie Associate Professor: Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality, Saint Paul University External-External evaluator-committee Member: Dr Nicole Yves Associate Professor: School of Social Work, McGill University THE SHAMAN’S ASC ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my wife Cheryl for her continual support and love throughout the final two years of this process. She has taught me how to be a better person, and to never give up on my goals. Without her, I would not be here. To my family whose unending support was always there, I thank each and every one of you. To my friend and mentor Debbie McConkie, whose guidance and support over the past fifteen years has been without question, the reason why I have been able to succeed in my career. To my friend Helen, who’s unwavering support, especially during the first two years, was essential to my inner development. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my thesis advisor Dr. Judith Malette for her encouragement, understanding and steady approach. Her experience, insight and guidance has left a lasting impression on me. From the first day of the program up until this day Dr. Malette’s support has never waned. It has been a true honour to work with her. To my thesis committee, Dr. Cynthia Bilodeau and Dr. Martin Rovers who have both provided a depth of knowledge that has helped shape me as a researcher and writer. Dr. Bilodeau’s help with my methodological approach was integral to the development of the thesis. Without Dr. Rovers, the essence of the Participant’s answers would not have been reflected. I thank both of them deeply for their keen observations and helpful comments. I would also like to thank Dr. David Joubert who has been a main contributor to my professional development as a psychotherapist. His understanding of psychological theory is without question the best I have come across. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to all of the participants in the study. My eyes have opened, and my understanding of consciousness has been expanded. Words simply do not come close to the graciousness I feel. THE SHAMAN’S ASC iii ABSTRACT Although conflicting ideas exist about the origin of the shaman, it is clear that these individuals exist across culture and history (Eliade, 1964/2004; Winkelman, 2010). Research has indicated that a specific altered state of consciousness (ASC) exists that the shaman utilizes to help the individual or group heal (Harner, 1980). Discrepancies in understanding the shaman`s experience of ASC had led to the call for further research in this area. (Cardeña, 2011a; Walsh, 2007, Winkelman, 2010). This phenomenological study aimed to investigate the shaman`s experience of the ASC. Results indicated that the shaman’s evolution was based on the criteria associated with the wounded healer archetype as well as conditions associated with the individuation process of Jung (1959/1980a). The study also revealed the shaman’s experience of the ASC was accomplished through a pattern of development that resulted in each participant acquiring the status of shaman. Specifically the ASC was the avenue whereby each participant became a shaman. As well, the results indicated that the induction procedures associated with entering the ASC were not required as once the shaman achieved his/her status access to the ASC was readily available. Based on the narratives of the five participants, the results suggest that the shaman is a person who has an expanded understanding of the consciousness experience. This contrasts what Western society has understood about consciousness. THE SHAMAN’S ASC iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ x CHAPTER I REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................... 3 Overview ............................................................................................................................. 6 II JUNGIAN THEORY .................................................................................................................... 8 Psychic EnerGy .................................................................................................................. 10 Jung's Principles of the Psyche ......................................................................................... 11 The Principle of Opposites ................................................................................................ 11 Jung's theory of the psyche ........................................................................................................... 12 The Unconscious ............................................................................................................... 13 The Personal Unconscious ................................................................................................ 16 The Ego Complex and the Persona ................................................................................... 18 The Collective Unconscious ............................................................................................. 20 The Mother Archetype ...................................................................................................... 23 The Divine Syzygy ........................................................................................................... 24 The Soul Image ................................................................................................................. 24 The Anima ........................................................................................................................ 26 THE SHAMAN’S ASC v The Animus ....................................................................................................................... 27 The Shadow ...................................................................................................................... 28 The Wounded Healer Archetype ...................................................................................... 29 The Self and the Individuation Process ............................................................................ 35 III WHAT IS A SHAMAN .............................................................................................................. 38 Defining Shamanism ......................................................................................................... 41 The Shaman as the Wounded Healer ................................................................................ 51 IV THE ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS .................................................................. 57 What is Consciousness? .................................................................................................... 57 Quantum Physics ............................................................................................................. 60 What is an Altered State of Consciousness ...................................................................... 62 Recent Contributions ....................................................................................................... 64 Induction Proceedures ...................................................................................................... 74 Types of ASC ................................................................................................................................ 77 Mystical Experiences ........................................................................................................ 77 Transcendental Experiences .............................................................................................. 82 Religious/Spiritual/Mystical Experiences .......................................................................... 84 Psychopathological Experiences ......................................................................................