Jonathan Ott: o definitie a shamanismului

"Extazul shamanic este adevarata "religie a timpurilor indepartate", a carei palide evocari sunt bisericile moderne . Extazul vizionar shamanic , mysterium tremendum , unio mystica, mereu placuta experienta a universului ca energie, sunt sine qua non pentru religie, sunt ratiunea de a fi a oricarei religii. Nu e nevoie de "credinta oarba" ( faith) , ci insasi experienta ecstatica este cea care daruieste persoanei increderea ( faith) in intrinseca unitate si integritate a universului , in propria noastra fiinta ca parte integrala a intregului , care ne da revelatia sublimei majestati a universului nostru si miracolul alchimic scintiland fluctuant care este constiinta noastra cotidiana. Orice religie care cere credinta si nu o ofera , care impiedica experienta religioasa , care promulga bizara superstitie cum ca omenirea e in vreun fel separata , divortata de restul creatiei , care nu vindeca rana deschisa ce desparte sufletul de trup , ci mai abitir le sfasie ....nu este deloc religie !" ( Jonathan Ott )

textul original:
"Shamanic ecstasy is the real "Old Time Religion," of *ich modern churches are but pallid evocations. Shamanic, visionary ecstasy, the mysterium tremendum, the unio mystica, the eternally delightful experience of the universe as energy, is a sine qua non of religion, it is what religion is for! There is no need for faith, it is the ecstatic experience itself that gives one faith in the intrinsic unity and integrity of the universe, in ourselves as integral parts of the whole; that reveals to us the sublime majesty of our universe, and the fluctuant, scintillant, alchemical miracle that is quotidian consciousness. Any religion that requires faith and gives none, that defends against religious experiences, that promulgates the bizarre superstition that humankind is in some way separate, divorced from the rest of creation, that heals not the gaping wound between Body and Soul, but would tear them asunder... is no religion at all!" Jonathan Ott