ANTHROP 2R03 Chapter Notes -Revitalization Movement, Tranquilizer, Crass
24 Oct 2014
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Altered states of consciousness: individual may have a mental experience that transcends ordinary experiences. Include: alterations in thinking, disturbed time sense, loss of control, change in emotional expression, body image change, perceptual distortions, change in meaning or significance, sense of ineffable, feeling of rejuvenation. Nature of the factor responsible for inducing the state. Can also include prohibitions against smoking and sex. Seen as a sacrifice to a deity and often accompanies religious rituals: can be part of training for religious disciplines, can be used as atonement/cleansing. Religiously, pain is not isolating, but creates a shared experience (ex. Can be self inflicted or inflicted by others: self inflicted focuses on the act ~ used to strengthen one"s sense of self and their connection to supernatural/social worlds. Ability to withstand pain during coming of age or initiation rituals: entering an altered state of consciousness often makes the pain bearable. Can cause a euphoric state due to natural bodily opiates.
