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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Harner's personal observation is that people develop shamanism as a tool for using the power of the human mind for what?
(a) To control others.
(b) For esoteric purposes.
(c) For entertainment and enlightenment.
(d) To address critical issues.

2. What is a shaman able to do to restore health in a person with the assistance of appropriate spirit helpers?
(a) Suck negative magical darts from a patient's body.
(b) Channel energy from healing realms.
(c) Remove pockets of dark energy stuck inside the patient's blood vessels.
(d) Increase positive messages entering the mind through the whispers of spirit helpers.

3. Why does a shaman enter a shamanic state of consciousness?
(a) For a serious, specific purpose.
(b) To prove to the elders that he or she is a shaman.
(c) To practice astral travel.
(d) For clarity and balance.

4. What happens in the state a shaman reaches, known as a type of ecstasy?
(a) The shaman taps into perfect bliss.
(b) A higher entity takes over and controls the shaman's body.
(c) The soul leaves the body, either ascending or descending.
(d) The shaman's spirit goes on a type of auto-pilot mode.

5. What are guardian spirits called in Siberia?
(a) Guardian angels.
(b) Warning spirits.
(c) Angelic beings.
(d) Tutelary spirits.

6. In a drug-induced vision, Harner sees demons as:
(a) Reptiles.
(b) Beetles.
(c) Faceless ghosts.
(d) Fish with teeth.

7. Shaman's do not challenge the validity of someone else's what?
(a) Authentic first-hand experience.
(b) Claims of being a shaman.
(c) Healing methods.
(d) Drug addiction.

8. According to the author, who has a guardian spirit, whether recognized or not?
(a) Everyone.
(b) Shamans.
(c) Curanderos.
(d) Leaders.

9. How is a shamanic state of consciousness, or SSC, achieved?
(a) By drinking nettle tea and fasting for five days.
(b) By entering a trance state and using methods of cosmic geography and nonordinary reality.
(c) By calling upon spirit guides to pull the shaman's spirit out of the body and hurl it to the heavens.
(d) By chanting songs passed down by tribal peoples and drinking fermented coffee.

10. In his attempt to find spirit helpers with the assistance of a Jivaro shaman from Ecuador, what does the author do?
(a) He joins Jivaro in an out-of-body ritual.
(b) He calls out to spirit helpers in the rainforest.
(c) He spiritually goes to a cave underneath a waterfall.
(d) He repeats an ancient chant Jivaro teaches him.

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

12. The author states that the humility in shamanism lies in what?
(a) The manner in which shamans speak to new and old souls.
(b) The shaman-patient relationship.
(c) The number of spirit guides who choose a particular shaman.
(d) The reverence shamans feel towards nature.

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

14. Included in the reports from participants of Harner's first guided shamanic exercise are:
(a) Accounts of disappearing momentarily and not being seen by others in the room.
(b) Detailed conversations with star people and other extraterrestrials.
(c) Numerous cases of people experiencing nausea and vertigo.
(d) Suggestions on what to do when encountering an impenetrable obstacle.

15. In his guided, step-by-step instructions for a first journey, Harner instructs the aspiring shaman to eat:
(a) Only seeds and fruit.
(b) Chicken.
(c) Lightly.
(d) Nothing.

Short Answer Questions

1. In early experiences with the Conibo, Harner hears rushing:

2. A shaman might enter a shamanic state of consciousness to bring back messages for whom?

3. What does Harner speculate about the mandala?

4. The author shows that all religious traditions share:

5. Harner's reports of the rituals, symbols, and visions of the different tribes he observes are what?

(see the answer keys)

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