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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following does NOT help a shaman enter a shamanic state of consciousness?
(a) Songs.
(b) Tattoos.
(c) Rattles.
(d) Drums.

2. What does Harner suggest is the purpose of songs during a shamanic journey?
(a) To attract beneficial healing spirit helpers.
(b) To amplify the shaman's altered state.
(c) To guide the shaman towards acceptable portals.
(d) To keep the patient calm and relaxed.

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

4. Harner indicates that becoming a shaman involves pain, facing fears, and a willingness to:
(a) Consume exotic foods.
(b) Cross dangerous jungles.
(c) Leave behind all that one holds near and dear.
(d) Confront the unknown.

5. While working, why must a shaman remain lightly connected to the material environment?
(a) Because of having to move between realities.
(b) To harness the power of nature.
(c) To incorporate the properties of the material world into the cure.
(d) Because of the shaman's physical requirements.

6. Master shamans focus on a triumvirate which is composed of what?
(a) Emotions, thoughts, and breath work.
(b) The heart, brain, and lungs.
(c) Knowledge, power, and healing.
(d) Virtues, strength, and vitality.

7. With the help of spirit helpers and two tsentak inside his mouth, the shaman can help the patient by:
(a) Frightening the intruder out.
(b) Smoking out the intruder.
(c) Swallowing the intruder.
(d) Vomiting out the intruder.

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

9. Harner asserts that shamanism transcends any particular what?
(a) Culture.
(b) Scholarly assessment.
(c) Philosophy.
(d) Falsehood.

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

11. What do various cultures report noticing the shaman give off when in a shamanic state of consciousness?
(a) A highly directional beam of light, like a laser.
(b) Rhythmic sounds.
(c) Light in a halo effect.
(d) An unusually sweet aroma.

12. The author shows that all religious traditions share:
(a) Similarities in styles of worship.
(b) A mistrust of shamans and mysticism.
(c) Mystical and symbolic similarities.
(d) One common origin.

13. Why does Harner include the examples of the Lakota Sioux and Coast Salish tribes for Westerners in particular?
(a) So that they can see that shamanism can be accessed without the use of drugs.
(b) To illustrate the universal nature of shamanism.
(c) Because more than anyone else, Westerners need to understand the nuances of shamanism.
(d) To give them examples of shamanism that might be more familiar to them.

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

15. How do spirit helpers assist the shaman?
(a) By keeping the shaman's third eye open at all times to see alternate realities.
(b) By helping the shaman engage in divination of the past, present, and future.
(c) By spying on others and reporting back to the shaman.
(d) By whispering truths into the shaman's otherworldly ears.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are guardian spirits called in Siberia?

2. Harner's personal observation is that people develop shamanism as a tool for using the power of the human mind for what?

3. What is the name of the Jivaro shaman Harner works with?

4. If SSC stands for shamanic state of consciousness, what does OSC stand for?

5. How does a shaman typically travel into the Lowerworld?

(see the answer keys)

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