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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Through numerous examples, the author shows the commonality of experiences by shamans regardless of what?
(a) Their state of mind.
(b) Their schooling.
(c) Their authenticity.
(d) Their locations or traditions.

2. What does Harner speculate about the mandala?
(a) It may guard coded instructions reserved for the most advanced shamans.
(b) It may represent openings to the sky or the Lowerworld.
(c) It could represent the doorway to stars and entrance to spaceships.
(d) It could hold the keys to astral time travel.

3. When the shaman is in an altered state, how does healing take place?
(a) By allowing ghost healers to work through the shaman.
(b) By enabling the shaman to spiritually enter the patient's body and physically fix the problem.
(c) By merging the collective thoughts of everyone present.
(d) By restoring beneficial power or removing harmful power from the patient.

4. Apprentice shamans sometimes report to Harner that they:
(a) Panic during the experience.
(b) Feel a sense of endless falling.
(c) See loved ones who have passed on.
(d) Morph into other forms.

5. What does the Jivaro shaman help Harner acquire?
(a) Tree guides.
(b) Spirit helpers.
(c) Advanced intuition.
(d) The ability to see beyond.

6. Harner's reports of the rituals, symbols, and visions of the different tribes he observes are what?
(a) Disturbing.
(b) Foreign.
(c) Similar.
(d) Simplistic.

7. If SSC stands for shamanic state of consciousness, what does OSC stand for?
(a) Ordinary shamanic consciousness.
(b) Other-worldly shamanic consciousness.
(c) Ordinary state of consciousness.
(d) Orthogonal state of consciousness.

8. How might a shaman be distinguished from other medicine men?
(a) By the animal tokens they carry in a pouch.
(b) By the ability to enter altered states of consciousness at will.
(c) By the ability to handle poisonous substances without incurring harm.
(d) By the tattoo markings given him or her by a mentor.

9. Harner asks aspiring shamans to refrain from:
(a) Using anything electronic.
(b) Eating sweets.
(c) Exercising strenuously.
(d) Drinking alcohol.

10. Harner asserts that shamanism has advanced in areas without technological innovations because:
(a) Technology hasn't erased these people's ability to tap into their intuition.
(b) These people are neither distracted nor electromagnetically impaired by electronic interference.
(c) Of the need by these people to find ways to deal with survival and health issues.
(d) The plant world communicates better with people when there is no technological interference.

11. What are the tsentak?
(a) Spirits who bridge the seen and the unseen.
(b) Guides who intervene in emergencies.
(c) Helpers who cause or cure illness.
(d) Mischievous tree sprites.

12. What does Harner compare his near-death experience with the Conibo to?
(a) Teachings of Confucius.
(b) The concept of reincarnation.
(c) Ancient Daoism stories.
(d) Descriptions in the Bible.

13. After Harner is awakened from his maikua trance, what is he given?
(a) Warm oolong tea and papaya seeds.
(b) Peaches and grubs.
(c) Warm beer and monkey meat.
(d) Pork and mango chutney.

14. At the conclusion of the rock-seeing process, after the shaman turns the stones around and examines all sides, what does the shaman do?
(a) Drops the stones and reads information from their resting positions.
(b) Places the stones in his or her healing pouch.
(c) Thanks the stones and returns them to their proper places.
(d) Washes the stones in a stream and blesses them.

15. Why do individuals need the protection of a guardian spirit?
(a) They are weak.
(b) To maintain a strong, steady heartbeat.
(c) To counter chaotic spirits.
(d) To reach adulthood.

Short Answer Questions

1. Shamans from Venezuela, North America, Australia, and other regions all report having similar what?

2. Why does Harner say it's important that the shaman does not tell the patient's family that he already has the ordinary form of the spirit in his mouth?

3. Which of the following do reputable shamans NOT do?

4. How do shamans use their guardian spirits?

5. Why is the Jivaro shaman who helps Harner worried that the author may not be able to find tsentak?

(see the answer keys)

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