The anthropologist Felicitas Goodman and her method of "shamanic ecstatic trance" in the modern practice of Russian psychologists

Abstract (English)

The anthropologist F. Goodman and her method of "shamanic ecstatic trance" in the modern practice of Russian psychologists

The author, being a research anthropologist and at the same time a practicing psychologist, studies the method of "shamanic ecstatic trance" by Felicitas Goodman (an American anthropologist of the twentieth century). The report will present observations of their own work using this method (autoethnography) and the practice of trainees.

"Ecstatic trance" is used as a modern spiritual and psychological practice among psychologists and representatives of other professions aimed at personal development. This practice is considered psychological using elements of modern shamanism. We will analyze, firstly, the features of the practice itself in its modern Russian version (in comparison with the original versions of American and European origin), and secondly, the audience that learns it and applies it in their future work with clients.

The most important aspect of the report will be the presentation of the results of a study of materials received from psychologists who have been trained and analyze the impact of the practice of "shamanic ecstatic trance" on them. In addition, the author will present the results of an analysis of the socio-cultural aspect: who, for what reasons and for what purposes resorts to learning and using such practices. The aspect of the influence of traditional shamanism and religion will be mention as an important background of the emergence and existence of modern spiritual practices in Russia.