Page 158 - ce_cusco_2019

THE VINE OF AYAHUASCA AND THE SAN PEDRO CACTUS.

An additional aspect that Winkelman provides is the

concept of death and rebirth that is prevalent

throughout shamanic practices. Winkelman says that,

“death and rebirth experience reflects the

fragmentation of the conscious ego which results from

the intrusion of unassimilated neural structures and

underlying conflicts. Dismemberment reflects a breakdown of the internal structures that is experienced in

"autosymbolic images" of the disintegration of one's own psychological structures” (65). This concept can

also be seen in psychotherapy in a very diluted way. Many therapists attempt to bring their patients to a point

where they are facing their fear or problem head on in some ways feeling like a death. Then, leading them to a

state of realization and openness that many would consider a rebirth considering that they now see the world

in a completely different way.

Throughout this article, Winkelman is attempting to show how crucial shamanic ritual has been to the

evolution of cognition. He states that, “shamanic psychophysiological integration provided a basis for healing

processes. The shaman's practices provided an integration of the different aspects of self through ritually

affecting biologically based operations of consciousness, producing integrative brain conditions. Shamanic

ASC induce interhemispheric integration, frontal-limbic integration, brain stem-limbic-frontal integration, and

integration across the neuraxis. These conditions have numerous adaptive consequences, including

enhancement of representation, healing, stress reduction and information integration, especially in visionary

experiences and visual imagery” (74). Thus, it is even possible that shamanic practices now are experienced

with even greater success and detail because of ancestors who began these practices. We are also able to use

these ideas and processes to enhance the way that we use and experience psychotherapy to treat patients with

mental illness.

158