What role does “ecstasy” play in shamanism?
Shamanic ecstasy is used to shift the consciousness of the shaman into the higher or lower planes of existence. This shifting of consciousness allows the shaman to complete his/her “mission”, whether that is healing, soul escorting, or visiting the ancestors. Ecstasy, or achieving it, also plays an important role in choosing the shaman. Being able to achieve this state at will is what makes a shaman a shaman. In other words, this state of consciousness is what defines a shaman.
