Cosmic Ecosystem: Animism, Totemism , Shamanism

1. HRT 3MO Cosmic Ecosystem:Animism, Totemism, Shamanism

2. Cosmic Ecosystem: Cosmology • self-sustaining system • animal, vegetable, mineral, humans, planets, forces of nature all play a part in upholding the system. • everything is connected: seen and unseen, animate and inanimate = “quantum system” • Cosmic Ecosystem not controlled by any one source • Cosmic Ecosystem simply exists as a self-sustaining, multi-faceted system • Eternal, without beginning or end • But the actions, and reactions of the individual parts, effect the sum of the whole….

3. Animism • Universe : alive with spirits (anima)—seen and unseen • Spirits—in animal, vegetable, mineral—effect people’s lives, through dreams, signs, possessions or through totems. • Spirits influence the living. But they also can be influenced. Why?.... • Cosmic Ecosystem….everything is connected • Different from Monotheistic Cosmology: spirits, if they exist, are the function of God or His opposite– the devil. • In the conventional world, humans use their normal behaviour to influence each other and their surroundings…

4. Animism continued • But how does one interact with, and influence the world of spirits? • “Magic” can be invoked, to influence spirits for earthly ends. Link with Totemism and Shamanism here. • Technology nor time has removed this belief • Found its way into contemporary religions

5. Animism continued • Explains for the nature of sacred sites (mountains—Gods; deserts—God talks to prophets; burnish bush—God; stone fortifications (Stonehenge) and spirituality, water (Hindus and Ganges; zamzam and Islam; amrit and Sikhism) ; sand (Zen Buddhist sand gardens)

6. Ganges River Jesus-temptation in the desert Zen Garden Cave Hira, Prophet’s 1st revelations

8. Shamanism/Divination • Belief that a spiritual medium (=bridge) is capable of communicating with the spirit world, and relay messages to the rest of society.

9. Shamanism/Divination Purposes: • i) to communicate messages about present circumstances (spirits looking out for the world of the living; past ancestors) • ii) to communicate about future events • iii) to cure spiritual maladies • Basis is in an animistic universe, or cosmic ecosystem

10. Shamanism/Divination Key: • The “journey”, to gain better understanding of the unity of all creation. • Journey to upper, middle and lower “worlds” • Idea still present in ‘modern religions’, as: heaven, earth, hell, and as ethical systems

11. Shamanism/Divination • Miraj: Night journey in Islam • Chariot Metaphor: key mystical concept in Judaism. Shaman is analogous, to prophets, within Monotheistic faiths. • Also: Fakirs, Medicine men, warlocks, pagan priestesses, etc

13. Totemism • Extension of animism • Inanimate objects—or animals with specific anima—are revered (respected/taken care of) • In exchange, a particular blessing, protection is bestowed on a family, clan or state, by the anima

14. Totemism • It is a reciprocal (two-way) relationship • Also, very human: “seeing is believing”. Focused worship without prayer, song, material symbolism very difficult for most people. • Survives in modern forms: “lucky” personal possessions; laughing buddha; exists in religions where material idols/deities are revered

16. Domestic Totems- Mesopotamia Chinese Idol Fertility Idol, Ancient Syria

17. Virgin Mary and Jesus: Not an idol, but can you see the link to the human interest in sculpture? Natraja: The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva

18. Unit 1 reflection • The following ideas were new to me… • The following ideas surprised me • The following ideas really interested me…. • I still have questions about… • 1 page single spaced (minimum). 12 Font • Due Friday Sept 24 • 10 marks for thoughtfulness/analysis • 10 marks for detail & use of specific terms/ concepts from this unit