“Techniques of ecstasy” is how Mircea Eliade defined “shamanism” in his book entitled Shamanism, first published in English in 1964 (in French in 1951). I found such a definition to be really inaccurate and inadequate relative to my experience with Native American medicinepeople (shamans). The video commentary below presents my definition/characterization of a “shaman.” Focusing on the “unseen” energetic abilities of a shaman, I downplay the external behavior, especially as it is expressed in ceremonies. In this commentary I suggest Carlos Castaneda was not a shaman though a good fictional writer. I also examine the popular form of contemporary shamanism known as journeying.

A spontaneous commentary to the people in an Energy Circle just after our meditation.Two topics: 1. how shamans and Tibetan Buddhist lamas often relate to energy differently, and 2. (starting at 28:51) the Zen satori experience as a type of orgasm.

In the last 10 years more and more sacred sexuality practitioners have been using the word “shaman/ism/ic” in reference to what they do. The first 15 minutes of this presentation I give a brief history of practitioners using this term. The rest of the video is my conceptualization of how

What happens to the followers of charismatic religious leaders and spiritual gurus when the leader becomes lost in his/her power? Focusing on Jim Jones, Jim Baker, and Chogyum Trungpa.Related biographical documentaries – sometimes available on streaming services:• Jim Jones: “Jonestown, PBS documentary (FULL)” – youtube.com/watch?v=3HTtLHgU9tY• Jim Baker: “The Source Family”