Dr. Michael Winkelman, a leader in neurotheological
perspectives on shamanism, traditional healing practices, and altered states of
consciousness, will give a presentation at the University
of Oregon Monday, November 16, 2015 , 3:30 pm in the Browsing Room, Knight Library. In this
presentation, Dr. Winkelman examines the cross-cultural features of shamanism
involving specific healing rituals and alterations of consciousness that reveal
an underlying biological basis. He explores how these features reflect
adaptations that occurred in the course of hominine evolution that enhanced our
capacity for social bonding, extra personal cognition and symbolic modulation
of emotions. Shamanism reflects aspects of our evolved social psychology that
still has relevance for understanding healing processes, spiritual experiences
and our propensity for seeking to alter consciousness in community rituals.
These perspectives bring new approaches to the treatment of current health
conditions, especially contemporary problems involving addictive behaviors. His
books include Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing; Supernatural as Natural (with John Baker), Pilgrimage and Healing (with Jill
Dubisch), and Altering Consciousness (with Etzel Cardena).
