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Encounters with the Invisible: Revisiting Spirit Possession in the Himalayas — Folk Magic

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Encounters with the Invisible: Revisiting Spirit Possession in the Himalayas

Name: Encounters with the Invisible: Revisiting Spirit Possession in the Himalayas
Price: 55.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781032791944

✍️ Marie Lecomte-Tilouine, Anne de Sales

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This illuminating volume delves into the intricate world of spirit possession across the Himalayas, exploring how unseen powers manifest in everyday life. Through a unique dual approach, the authors meticulously examine material representations—from artifacts and animals to natural substances—alongside compelling personal narratives of encounters with the invisible. By weaving these threads together, the book offers a fresh perspective, re-evaluating long-held concepts of "possession" and "shamanism" and pushing the boundaries of conventional research, ultimately reconfiguring our understanding of reality in this mystical region.

Lecomte-Tilouine, Marie; , de Sales, Anne

📚 all books by this author (2) →

🌿

Folk Magic

🏛 Routledge India 📅 2024 📖 290 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781032791944

Fun Fact

This volume is a triumph of careful observation and intellectual courage, offering a vital recalibration of our understanding of spiritual phenomena in the Himalayas. While it might disappoint those seeking a definitive, singular explanation, its strength lies in its nuanced, multi-faceted exploration. It stands as a significant contribution, pushing the discourse on possession and shamanism into more dynamic and culturally sensitive territory, making it essential reading for anyone serious about the intersection of anthropology and spirituality.

📝 Description: Encounters with the Invisible: Revisiting Spirit Possession in the Himalayas

This volume considers spirit possession in the Himalayas and the various ways in which invisible powers are made present. It does so by examining material representations of these powers through artefacts, animals, plants and natural substances, while also focusing on narratives of people's encounters with the invisible that may help them to reconfigure reality. Through these two approaches, the contributions examine new phenomena associated with the concepts of "possession" and "shamanism", which otherwise tend to lead research into well-worn furrows. The book addresses a range of themes, including the gods of the Western Himalayas, death and ritual dissolution among Hyolmo Buddhists in Nepal, gods and rivers as legal persons in India, and the problem of conversion disorder in Nepal. Rich in ethnography, this book will be indispensable for scholars and researchers of anthropology, religion, spiritualism, sociology of religion, Himalayan studies, sociology and South Asia.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While scholarly and insightful, this text is not for casual readers seeking supernatural thrillers or simple folklore. It requires patience for its academic rigor and anthropological depth. Those expecting sensationalist claims about spirits will be disappointed by its methodical focus on artifacts and natural substances. However, serious students of esoteric traditions and Himalayan culture will appreciate its nuanced reconfiguration of reality.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This book is essential for those fascinated by the tangible manifestations of the invisible in the Himalayas. It offers a fresh perspective by weaving material representations with personal narratives, re-evaluating concepts like possession and shamanism. Readers seeking to understand how unseen powers shape reality will find this dual approach illuminating and boundary-pushing.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the profound intersections of culture, spirituality, and human experience, particularly within the mystical tapestry of the Himalayas, this insightful volume is essential. It offers a nuanced exploration beyond simplistic interpretations for anyone seeking a deeper understanding…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While scholarly and insightful, this text is not for casual readers seeking supernatural thrillers or simple folklore. It requires patience for its academic rigor and anthropological depth. Those expecting sensationalist claims about spirits will be disappointed by its methodical focus on artifacts and natural substances. However, serious students of esoteric traditions and Himalayan culture will appreciate its nuanced reconfiguration of reality.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While deeply scholarly and rich in ethnographic detail, its compelling narratives and fresh perspectives make it accessible and engaging for any curious mind interested in the nuanced spirituality of the Himalayas, not solely specialized researchers.

On the contrary, the book highlights new phenomena and contemporary understandings of possession and shamanism. It explores how these concepts evolve and manifest in modern Himalayan societies, offering a current and dynamic perspective.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Material Manifestations

The book explores how invisible powers are not merely abstract but become tangible through objects, flora, and fauna. It invites readers to consider how a carved amulet, a specific plant, or a wild animal can serve as a vessel or a signpost for spiritual forces, making the unseen an active participant in human experience and belief systems.

Narrative Realignment

Through rich ethnographic accounts, the authors privilege the personal stories of individuals who have encountered the invisible. These narratives are not just anecdotes but powerful tools that help people re-evaluate and reconfigure their understanding of reality, offering a dynamic lens through which to comprehend the impact of spiritual encounters on daily life and communal identity.

Revisiting Core Concepts

Challenging established academic frameworks, this work re-examines the concepts of "possession" and "shamanism." It moves beyond well-worn interpretations by introducing new phenomena and cultural nuances, encouraging a more flexible and culturally sensitive understanding of these spiritual practices within the unique context of the Himalayan regions.

📜 Historical context

Building upon a rich tradition of anthropological inquiry into spiritual practices, this work distinguishes itself by moving beyond established theoretical frameworks. It offers a contemporary, ethnographically-driven re-evaluation, pushing the boundaries of how we understand invisible forces in modern contexts, grounding its insights in the vibrant cultural landscape of the Himalayas.

📚 Glossary

Spirit Possession
Shamanism
Ethnography

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might acknowledging "invisible powers" shape your understanding of your own environment or community, beyond conventional explanations?
Consider a personal narrative or cultural artifact you know. How does it embody or make present something intangible, much like the examples in the book?
What existing concepts do you hold that might benefit from a similar "revisiting" or redefinition, challenging your preconceived notions, as this book does with possession and shamanism?