Cybershamanism is the intelligent use of any sort of technological device that influence the more subtle experiences of the shamnistic ritual. This can include low technology such as candles and wall paintings, but is mostly concerned with the use of high-technology devices such as lucid dream machines, biofeedback devices, negative ions and yantra goggles. Shamans are also interested in using technological language and Internet lingo as part of the communication used in the actual ritual.
From an outsider’s perspective, I can’t see this being a positive thing for Shamanism, as it simply makes the ritual more odd than it already seems to be. Yet for Shamans, this technology is probably a good thing.
I cannot see this as something positive because I do not believe that Shamanism and the rituals and procedures involved are healthy or even real to begin with. I’m not entirely sure how technology could perhaps help lure in the spirits such as the knife riding general. If these spirits were to actually exist, they wouldn’t know anything about the technology anyway.
The use of this technology may also be a huge distraction for Shaman’s and people who are partaking in the ritual. The technology may also scare some people, and there is no way I’d want to be hooked up to a lucid dream machine – well not by a spiritual mother anyway.
Shamanism’s roots go back approximately 18,000 years ago. I’m pretty sure its safe to say that Shamans didn’t rely on lucid dream machines and special goggles back then. Why should they be introducing this technology to their rituals now if things have been going fine in the first place? Maybe using technology makes Shamanism seem more valid and attractive to outsiders and newcomers, yeah that has to be it!
I think the reason why Shamans may want this technology is because it makes them seem more credible. Having an expensive machine hooked up to you is what happens to you in a hospital, and if Shamanism is meant to heal people and get them back up to snuff then why not introduce these sort of hospital-like objects? Lucid dream machines, special goggles..C’mon…
When something goes wrong in the ritual, I’m assuming that its blamed on the Shamans or the spiritual mothers themselves. Using this technology can put the blame on something else when the ritual doesn’t go as planned, which I understand to be commonplace among the shamanistic rituals. Can’t see the knife riding general and his spirit-family? Just give the dream machine a kick or two, pop on the goggles and you’ll be fine! Your feet may be bleeding like crazy but we’ve got a machine for that too.